About Access to HE Diplomas

Students must be able to demonstrate all learning outcomes in order to receive a grade for the unit. Ungraded units are recorded as either ‘Achieved’ or ‘Not achieved’. For graded units, students receive either a ‘Pass’, ‘Merit’, or ‘Distinction’ grade. Upon successful completion of an Access to HE Diploma, the student will have demonstrated a standardised level of academic achievement appropriate for level 3. They will receive a transcript with 15 credits of ‘Achieved’ grades and 45 credits of ‘Pass’, ‘Merit’, and/or ‘Distinction’ grades.

Access Validating Agencies (AVAs) quality assure the Access to HE Diploma, in accordance with regulation set by the QAA. AVAs work with providers to create the rules of combination (RoCs) for each Diploma. The RoCs outline the ways in which units must be combined for the achievement of a Diploma. Once a Diploma has been validated, it is internally and externally moderated on at least an annual basis. Any modifications to the RoCs must be externally reviewed and approved before implementation.

Access Validating Agencies (AVAs) validate the Access to HE Diplomas, in accordance with regulation set by the QAA. Diplomas are validated by an external academic panel at least every five years to ensure that the subject coverage, level and structure of the content are appropriate as a preparation for intended HE progression routes. Providers also undergo regular scrutiny and validation to demonstrate their ability to deliver and resource their Diplomas appropriately.

The Access to HE Diploma is regulated by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA). The QAA licenses Access Validating Agencies (AVAs) to quality assure, validate, and award the Diplomas. You can find more information and resources on the QAA’s website.

There are generic requirements for the achievement of the Access to HE Diploma, which are set by the QAA. The Diploma is a credit-based qualification, comprising units of assessment totalling 60 credits. Of these 60 credits, 45 credits must be achieved at level 3 from graded units, and 15 credits must be achieved at level 2 or level 3 from ungraded units. Units comprise ‘learning outcomes’ which are statements of what a student may be expected to know or do as the result of learning. Students are assessed against ‘assessment criteria’ which describe the requirements that must be met to demonstrate achievement of learning outcomes.