Start Date
- September 2025, Full Time, Day
What You Will Study
Looking to break into the world of business? Are you keen to embark on a degree in this area but don't currently meet the entry requirements for Higher Education? Our Access to HE Diploma in Business will give you a grounding in this subject that will enable you to advance to the next level of study. Throughout the course, you will receive superb support from our dedicated team of expert tutors and support staff to aid your development.
The Access to Higher Education Diploma in Business, as validated by CAVA, is a qualification which prepares students aged 19 years and over, without relevant qualifications, for study at degree. You will be given the opportunity to develop not only academic knowledge in your chosen subject but also broader study skills to help prepare you for University.
Students are required to participate in an intensive period of study which covers 9 units delivered across 2.5 days a week. It is expected that you supplement this teaching time with independent study at home.
This course is widely recognised by UK universities and colleges including City College Norwich. However, we advise that you contact them about their entry requirements to ensure the Diploma you have chosen in appropriate for your area of future study. International students whose qualification are not recognised by UK universities or colleges, and who are 19 and over, may also wish to choose this pathway as a route to enter degree level study.
The majority of this course is delivered at our School of Higher Education Centre, Norfolk House, Exchange Street, Norwich, NR2 1DR.
Entry Requirements
Acceptance onto the Access programme is conditional on the following:
- Providing evidence of achievement in English Language and Mathematics at GCSE grade 4 and above. (For certain applicants, we may be able to offer you a place if you have achieved a Pass at Level 2 Functional Skills English and/or Maths if you don't have the required GCSE grade. However, this will depend upon your application and future progression plans).
- Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading), the required minimum is; IELTS (SELT); 6.0 overall (minimum 5.5 in all components) International candidates are also actively encouraged to access the International Students webpage.
If you do not currently hold suitable entry requirements, please speak to us about enrolling on our Maths/English GCSE courses. If you are working towards GCSEs this year in readiness for September, please let us know when you apply.
Selection to discuss your suitability for the course and whether the course is right for you is by interview and evidence of your qualifications. As part of this process you may be required to complete online assessments and submit a short piece of writing.
All candidates will be given a Digital Skills assessment and will be offered a short course to improve this area of their knowledge if this is deemed suitable.
Please note that, should you require further study in English, Maths or Digital Skills, these sessions will be offered at both Paston College in North Walsham and in City College Norwich.
How You Will Be Assessed
You will be supported throughout the course by a team of tutors who will give you guidance in applying for Higher Education courses. All students study a core of communications, research and study skills as well as modules detailed in the Learning Outcomes. You will be awarded credits on completion of each units with a Pass, Merit or Distinction grade.
All credits are awarded are awarded at level 3 which broadly equates to A-level study. Assessment is continuous over the whole year and is based on several set pieces of work such as essays, reports, projects, presentations and an open-book examination. Assessment deadlines are provided and you will need to learn to manage your time effectively to ensure that those deadlines are met.
Course Progression
The Access to Higher Education Diploma in Business Management is widely recognised by UK universities. If you are planning to study a degree course at a specific university, it would be useful to contact them to check that the Access Course you have chosen is in an appropriate subject area and is recognised by the university or college. Please be aware that university entry criteria can change at any time.
Previous students have progressed to the following universities: UEA, Leeds Beckett, Sheffield Hallam, De Montfort, University Campus Football and Business, Leeds, Manchester Metropolitan and Nottingham Trent.
Where Your Course Can Take You
After completion many students progress into the following careers:
Entrepreneur, HR Manager, Accountant, Auditor, Marketing Executive, Retail Management, Business Management, Finance, Football Marketing and Computer Security.
Fees
Please contact the Advice Shop for information on fees and financial support which may be available. We recommend you also check our Finance pages for further information including student travel offers.
