Student from University of Sunderland wearing mortar board and gown

Access to Higher Education

Always dreamed of changing things up and getting a second chance to go university? With Access to Higher Education at EDC, you can make it happen!

Choose your course

Unlock your path to University

Our Access to HE (Higher Education) programmes are available for adults aged 19 or over, and are specifically designed to help those who would like to go to university but currently don't have the right qualifications.

Access to HE courses are taught part-time, meaning you can fit in your studies around other commitments. So, whether you're looking to change jobs, return to work, advance your career or gain a full Honours degree, our courses offer you a route into higher education.

Willerby Grove, Peterlee Campus

At East Durham College, we currently offer the following Access to Higher Education pathways:

Nursing & Midwifery
Paramedic Science
Physio & Sport Therapy
Radiography
Science

To find out more about our Access to HE courses, visit our course finder.

Progression Success

Countless people, just like you, considering changing it up, have made a huge difference in their lives with Access to HE. At EDC, people have moved on to a wide variety of different degree programmes after leaving us, including:

Ancient History - Applied Psychology - Biology - Biological Sciences - Childhood Studies - Computer Science - Computer Game Design & Production - Criminology - Dentistry - Early Childhood Studies - Electronic & Electrical Engineering - English & Creative Writing - Midwifery Studies - Medicine - Nursing Studies (Adult) - Nursing Studies (Child)- Nursing Studies (Learning Disabilities) - Nursing Studies (Mental Health) - Paramedic Science - Pharmacy - Podiatry - Primary Education - Psychology - Psychology with Counselling - Social Work - Sociology - And many more...

Course fees and funding

For anyone aged 19 or over (1 August), this course may be free via the Free Level 3 Courses for Jobs Scheme or fully funded by the Advanced Learner Loan - both subject to eligibility.

The Advanced Learner Loan is a student loan, just the same as someone studying at university, that pays for the fees of your Access to HE course. However, if you go on to study at university after taking Access to HE and subsequently complete your degree programme, the Advanced Learner Loan cost for your Access to HE course will be completely written off.

If you'd like to find out more about and check your eligibility, please get in touch with our Student Services team on 0191 518 8222.