Overview
Get the GCSEs you need for university.
If you're an adult (19+) and want to go to university but don’t yet have GCSE English or maths at grade 4-9 (C or above) to qualify for an Access to HE course, this course is for you.
Designed to help you achieve the GCSE you need, this programme also builds your confidence and prepares you for the expectations of an Access to HE course in small, friendly and supportive classes. You'll also develop key social skills essential for university life.
Over the course of a year, you'll study a range of topics tailored to support your future career goals.
What's more you can study this course is FREE.
Start date, attendance and fee
- Start dates - September 2026
- Attendance - One day per week
- Fee - Free
What our students say
Chris, Sarah, and Kate talk to us about their experience on an Access to Higher Education course, highlighting the classroom environment, tutor support, and returning to education as an adult.
GCSE English
You will focus on developing a number of skills while studying a variety of extracts from literary texts spanning the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries.
The main skills you will cover are:
- Being able to identify and interpret explicit and implicit information and ideas.
- Selecting and synthesising evidence from different texts.
- Being able to explain, comment on and analyse how writers use language and structure to achieve effects and influence readers, using relevant subject terminology to support their views.
- Comparing writers’ ideas and perspectives, as well as how these are conveyed, across two or more texts.
- Evaluating texts critically and support this with appropriate textual references.
- Communicating clearly, effectively and imaginatively; selecting and adapting tone, style and register for different forms, purposes and audiences.
- Organising information and ideas; using structural and grammatical features to support coherence and cohesion of texts.
- Using a range of vocabulary and sentence structures for clarity, purpose and effect, with accurate spelling and punctuation.
GCSE maths
Follows the GCSE maths curriculum at foundation level with Educas examination board. It covers the broad topics of:
- Number
- Algebra
- Measure, shape and space
- Statistics
- Problem solving.
- Adult learning support and guidance
Starting something new can feel like a big step, but you don’t have to do it alone. From careers guidance to mental health and wellbeing, we’re here to support you before you apply and throughout your time with us.