An Access to Higher Education course from North Hertfordshire College opens the doors to further study, helping you secure your dream career.
Our courses are ideal for adult learners who are missing the qualifications they need for their degree course of choice, as well as learners who are ready to take the next step in their education journey after a break. By studying on one of our Access to Higher Education courses, you’ll build the skills, confidence, and knowledge you need to progress into university study. You’ll also receive support from our dedicated Higher Education team on everything from how to tackle university assignments to completing UCAS forms, personal statements, and applications.
It is possible to combine employment and other responsibilities with your study. You will have two full-contact days (10AM – 5:15PM) but will also need to make time to self-study, an additional 12-15 hours per week.
If you are over 23, you may not have to pay anything upfront. An Advanced Learner Loan may be available to you. If you complete the course and your degree, the loan for Access may be wiped. Find out if you are eligible here.
With our Access to HE courses recognised by universities across the UK, there’s no better place to start your higher education journey than NHC.
Start your Higher Education journey with an Access to HE course from NHC
North Hertfordshire College doesn’t require any formal qualifications for Access to HE applicants. However, we do need to make sure that your literacy and numeracy skills are at a strong enough level to cope with the demands of the course.
Access to Higher Education - Nursing & Midwifery
Access to HE really gave me that confidence to go out against the odds and not only pass, but to do so in style. I felt I had all my options closed around me, however with the support from the Access to HE team, I'm miles away from the life I had before, and about to embrace the career I've always wanted!
Access to Higher Education - Applied Social Science with Law
The Access to HE Course is a diverse, inspirational and life-changing opportunity for those from all walks of life to come and learn a whole range of subjects with the aim of excelling their careers as well as their lives. The staff are fantastic, the friends are forever and the knowledge will last a lifetime. Access, for me, was a second chance and truly helped me to aspire to achieve.
Access to Higher Education - Applied Social Science
When I started Access in 2016, I knew it was the right course for me and that my disability was not going to be an issue. Access gave me encouragement to see if I could progress.
Access to Higher Education - Social Science, Law and Humanities
I would encourage anyone who would want to do an access course to choose NHC because of the level of professionalism, the love for the job and the diversity. I always felt at home studying there. You can be a mature student and still achieve your dreams - and what better way to achieve them than to choose North Hertfordshire College.
Access to Higher Education - Allied Health & Science
Overall, my experience of the Access to HE course was very positive. I found all the tutors to be extremely helpful and accommodating, with our best interests in mind.
Access to Higher Education - Allied Health & Science
When I joined the access course I was working a zero-hour contract at Blockbuster. I passed the course and got into a top 10 uni! Now I'm charging around London in a fancy suit. 10/10 would recommend.
Applying for one of our Access to HE courses is simple. For more information about the application process and entry requirements, please contact headmin@nhc.ac.uk
1. Apply for one of our courses through our online application portal. Simply choose which Access to HE course you would like to study, then click ‘Apply for this course’.
2. After submitting your application, you’ll be sent details about the course delivery so that you can decide if the course is right for you. To continue with your application, you’ll be asked to attend an Access Event at the Stevenage site. After a presentation on the course, you will be asked to complete two short tasks: a 10-question maths task, and a written statement about your ambitions for the future.
3. Next up – interviews. We’ll send you a selection of interview dates and times so that you can pick which one works best for you. Our interviews are carried out over the phone, and we’ll tell you whether you’ve been successful in receiving a conditional offer at the end of the interview. If you or our Access to HE team feel like the course isn’t right for you at this time, our advice and guidance colleagues will be in touch to support you in finding another option.
4. After your interview, we’ll send you two tasks that you can complete at home. One helps you to understand the financial implications of the Access to HE course you’ve chosen, as well as university requirements. The second involves reading a short piece of text and answering some questions. You’ll also be asked for a reference to support your application.
5. Once we’ve received all the tasks and have reviewed your responses, we’ll notify successful applicants about plans for enrolment and induction.
Not only do we offer Access to HE courses at NHC, but we also offer undergraduate-level degree courses in a variety of subjects. Our courses allow you to earn a degree on your doorstep, working towards a qualification in a familiar local environment at a lower cost than traditional university study.
Find out more about what it’s like to study a HE course in our video, and check out our Higher Education page for further information!
