Access to Uni: How to Get Into University Without A Levels

Lots of adults leave school with only a handful of qualifications, or none at all, and assume that university is simply not for them. The good news is that there is a well-trodden access to uni route built for exactly this situation, and you do not need A levels to start it.

At Functional Skills Level 2, we hear from plenty of adults who feel nervous about going back to learning after a long gap. That is why we have pulled together the questions people ask most often and answered them in plain, everyday language, so you can work out whether this path could work for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

I Left School With Very Few Qualifications. Can I Still Go to University?

Yes, it is possible. Many adults who did not take A levels, or who took them years ago, go on to study for a degree by completing an Access to Higher Education Diploma first. This is a Level 3 qualification designed with adults in mind.

UCAS, the organisation that handles most university applications, says you should not worry about whether you are qualified yet. It explains that some people with few or no previous qualifications take Access courses to gain entry, while others are accepted based on their work or life experience.

What Exactly Is an Access to HE Diploma?

It is a nationally recognised Level 3 qualification regulated by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA). It is described as equivalent to three A levels and can be worth up to 144 UCAS points, which are the points universities use when they look at applications.

The diploma is awarded by Open Awards, a QAA-recognised Access Validating Agency. Open Awards is responsible for the standards, the assessment rules, quality checks and the final award, so the qualification has proper backing behind it.

Do I Need Any Qualifications Before I Can Start?

No. You do not need GCSEs or A levels to enrol on the diploma itself. You must be at least 16 and have a UK address, although the course is recommended for people aged 19 and over.

There is one thing to keep in mind for later, though. Universities usually expect learners to have at least two Level 2 qualifications before starting degree-level study, and most degrees ask for maths and English at that level. We cover this in the next question.

What About Maths and English?

Most degree courses ask for GCSE maths and English at grade 4/C or above, or an accepted equivalent such as Functional Skills Level 2. If you do not have these yet, it does not mean you have to wait before starting your diploma.

Functional Skills or GCSEs can be arranged alongside the Access course, so you can work on both at the same time. For many adult learners, Functional Skills is seen as the more flexible route, as it can be studied online with the exam sat from home.

Will I Have to Sit Exams?

No. The diploma is assessed entirely through assignments, so there are no exams at all. This is often a relief for adults who did not get on well with exams at school.

The work includes written assignments such as essays and reports, research tasks and reflective pieces like case studies. You submit everything online, and tutors mark your work and give detailed feedback. In some cases, you may be allowed to resubmit work within the limits the awarding body sets.

Can I Study Around My Job and Family?

Yes. The course is studied 100% online, with no classroom and no fixed class times. Your learning materials are unlocked as soon as you enrol and you can log in at any hour, which makes it easier to fit study around full-time or part-time work and family life.

If you would like to know more about how this works in practice, Pass Learn has a useful guide to flexible Access Diploma study covering the different courses on offer. You also get a dedicated tutor from day one, so you are not left to work things out on your own.

How Long Does It Take?

Most Access to HE Diplomas take around 9 to 12 months at a standard pace. If you can put in more time each week, a fast-track pace means you could finish in as little as 6 to 9 months.

Because the course is self-paced, the timescale depends on you. Start dates run throughout the year, and if life gets in the way, you can ask for an extension or a study freeze.

How Do UCAS Points Work on the Diploma?

The diploma usually has 60 credits. Fifteen are ungraded study skills credits that help you get ready for university-style work, and the other 45 are graded subject credits. Only the graded credits count towards your UCAS points.

Each graded unit gets a Pass, Merit or Distinction. As a general guide, that gives a total of between 48 points, if every grade is a Pass, and 144 points, if every grade is a Distinction. To understand the details more fully, it is worth reading about how Access to HE credits convert to UCAS points before you begin. Bear in mind that some universities ask for a grade profile, such as a set number of credits at Distinction and Merit, rather than a points total.

Will Universities Accept It?

Hundreds of UK universities accept the Access to HE Diploma, including many Russell Group universities, and teacher training providers accept it too. Universities use it in the same way as A level results when they review an application.

However, finishing the diploma lets you apply but does not promise you a place. Every university sets its own entry requirements, and competitive subjects like nursing, midwifery and physiotherapy can be especially demanding. Before you enrol, check that your chosen university accepts the diploma for your course and that your pathway matches the subject you want to study. Looking through different access to uni courses can help you pick a pathway that fits your goal, whether that is nursing, education, psychology or something else.

How Can I Pay for the Course and Apply to University?

Pass Learn describes its Access to HE Diploma as low cost, with no hidden fees. The diploma fee covers your materials, tutor support, assessment and certification, so there are no surprise charges along the way. If you would rather not pay all at once, you can spread the cost with Clearpay, Klarna, Payl8r, Partially or PayPal.

When it comes to applying for a degree, UCAS has a helpful page for mature undergraduate students that walks you through the process. Full-time courses are applied for online through UCAS, while flexible and part-time courses are applied for directly with the university or college. UCAS also notes that most 2027-entry undergraduate courses have a deadline of 13 January 2027 at 18:00 UK time, and it suggests looking into finance and support for your degree as part of your preparation.

Leaving school with few qualifications does not have to decide what happens next. With no exams, no entry qualifications needed and study that fits around your life, an Access to HE Diploma can open the door to a degree. If you want to talk through your options, the team at Pass Learn can help you choose a pathway and check what you need for maths and English.

Written by

PassFunctionalSkills Team

We help thousands of students get their Functional Skills Qualifications.