What are Access to University courses?
These courses are designed specifically for adults aged 19 and over who are keen to study at university but don't have the necessary qualifications or experience. In as little as 12 months, these courses will prepare you for degree-level study, either on campus at the NTU Mansfield University Hub or at another education provider.
Our courses
We offer a variety of Level 3 courses that support a wide-range of careers.
How much do they cost?
Don’t let paying for courses hold you back from achieving your goals.
Dependent on your personal circumstances, you may be eligible to:
Did you know? 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 course. This means you do not have to repay it.
Get in touch to find out more.
Flexible study options
Time, money and existing commitments are often the barriers stopping us from pursuing our goals. To ensure this is not the case for you, we offer different study options so returning to education is both possible and enjoyable
One-year | Full-time
Attend college for two full days plus a half-day online session per week (at a time that suits you).
Two-years | Part-time
Attend college for one full-day per week.
IMPORTANT - If you don't meet the entry requirements you will be required to complete a short diagnostic assessment for each GCSE that you require. You can study for your GCSE(s) alongside your part-time Access To University course and you will attend college for one half-day per week for each GCSE required.
You are also required to allocate time to undertake self-study each week; 8 hours is a standard recommendation.
One-year | Online | Part-time
Flexible depending on what hours you can commit. Most students complete the course within 12-18 months.
Which Access to University course is for me?
Click on the career path you are interested in to see which Access to University course/s can lead you there.
Why choose Access to University at West Notts?
- 1Make use of our fantastic facilities
Students can make use of our excellent facilities and resources they need to complete their course. Students study in spacious classrooms, use the PCs to work outside study hours, and get all the information they need from the Learning Resource Centre.
- 2You could be eligible for financial help towards your learning
You may qualify for an Advanced Learner Loan to help pay for your course tuition fees. The scheme has been introduced by the government, to help learners aged 19+ study for qualifications at Level 3 and above, that will improve their employability and develop high-level skills and knowledge.
- 3Feel fully-supported while you study
You will not only have the support of amazing teachers and student support coaches, but you can also take advantage of the college’s range of support teams, from the careers and employability team to our health and wellbeing services.
- 4Stay at college and progress to university-level!
Once you’ve finished your Access to University course, you may choose to stay and study up to degree-level at the NTU Mansfield Centre on our Derby Road campus, which is run by Nottingham Trent University. A number of our Access courses can be the stepping stone to one of the many foundation degrees and top-up awards offered by NTU.
What our students say
The following responses are from a 'Rate your course' survey conducted in January 2024.
“Access to HE courses offer an amazing opportunity to people who have previously been unable to go to university.”
“The teachers are passionate about what they are teaching. This encourages you to be more involved in class discussions and helps you to understand the lesson content better.”
“The atmosphere in lessons is relaxed and you feel well supported by the teaching staff.”
“Teachers have so much knowledge about the subjects they teach and they’re always available to help you when needed.”
“I enjoy attending the college as it’s such a friendly environment with great teaching and support staff.”
“There is a really good support system in place for students if they have any problems or concerns.”
“I have gathered skills that I will use to further myself professionally and I’ll hopefully be able to move into the career that I’ve dreamed of.”
In the video below, Karen talks to us about her time on our Access to University course, highlighting great support from our members of staff during her time studying with us.
Get in touch
Personalised advice on courses and financial support
Returning to education can feel overwhelming, especially when considering factors such as choosing the right course, balancing studies around a full-time job or family commitments, and the financial aspect of course fees.
Don't let these concerns be a barrier! Take the next step by completing our online enquiry form. Our friendly team will be in touch to explore all the options available to you.
Ask online
or call us on 0808 100 3626.
Learn more