Digital Technologies and Computer Science - Level 3 Access to Higher Education Diploma

If you would like to study Computing at university but left school without the qualifications you need, then this Access to HE course could be for you. Each year, over 20,000 Access to HE students apply for a degree course at a UK university; if you complete a relevant degree at university, your Advanced Learner Loan will be written off by Student Finance England.

This course will help you get the qualifications you need to study computing or a related course at university. The qualification will provide you with an intensive introduction to the ideas, mathematical and computing skills, in a variety of areas of study, including programming, web development and networking.

You will also learn key presentation, seminar, and writing skills that will be crucial at the university level. Throughout the course, you will undertake a research project and participate in lessons to prepare you for higher education, helping you focus on developing your academic, literacy and examination skills.

Units covered:

Report Writing
Sourcing and Reading Information
Examination Skills: Preparing for and succeeding in an Examination
Writing and Delivering Seminar Papers
Preparation for Higher Education

Extended Project

Database Theory and Normalisation

Arrays and Data Type
Introductions to Robotics

Introduction to Cyber Security
Computer Networks
Software Testing Principles
Numerical Methods
Algebra
Mathematics for Computing
Vectors and Matrices
Handling Scientific Data

Programming Fundamentals

You will need:

• To be aged 19 or older
• GCSE English and Maths at grade 4 or above (or A*-C) or English and Maths Functional Skills at Level 2
• Level 2 qualification in ICT or computing

All applicants must have an interview and assessment to confirm that the course suits them.

This course is assessed through coursework assignments, tests and examinations throughout the course, which are set and marked by your teachers and externally moderated by OCN London.

Assessment is continuous over the whole year and is based on several set pieces of work such as essays, projects, presentations and tests.

Adults - Access to Higher Education

This course may be free if you meet certain conditions:

• If you are not working or have a low income. You need to show proof of your income or benefits.
• If you are aged 19-23 and you do not have a full Level 3 qualification (a full L3 is the equivalent of two A-levels at A* - E grade). You need to show us proof of any qualifications you already have.
• Residency rules apply. You need to show you have permission to live, work and study in the UK without conditions, and live in London If you live outside London, you need to pay fees.
• There are some exceptions, such as certain visa types.

Check here which documents you need to show us, and which visa types are allowed.

If you do not meet the residency rules, you can still enrol on the course but you may have to pay some fees. All applicants are fee-assessed during enrolment.

If you are not eligible for a free or reduced-cost course, you need to pay the full fee yourself, or apply for an Advanced Learner Loan.

If you have to pay for your course, and decide to apply for an Advanced Learner Loan (ALL), the residency rules are different: https://www.gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan.

Some courses have additional costs, such as for specialist materials and trips.

Many of our students are eligible for financial support. See here for details.

If you are aged 19-24, and this is your first Level 3 course, you may be eligible for free tuition.

If you are 24 years or older, you will need to apply for an Advanced Learner Loan. Student Finance England will ‘write off’ any outstanding Advanced Learner Loan balances you owe for an Access to HE course once you complete a Higher Education degree course at university. This means you do not have to repay the Advanced Learner Loan if you then go on to complete a university degree course.

Once you have completed your Access to HE course, you can progress to a Higher Education degree at a university or college including Russel Group universities such as Queen Mary University, University College London, or King's College London. 

You should check requirements for specific degree courses - different Higher Education institutions may have different entry requirements for similar courses.