Access to Higher Education

Access courses are designed for people who may not have the conventional educational requirements to enter on to a higher education course. The course will enable you to acquire the skills, knowledge and confidence to compete on an equal footing with students starting degree programmes through conventional entry channels like A levels and BTECs.

Successfully completing an Access to HE course at CU Coventry will guarantee you progression onto a relevant degree course at CU Coventry.

2025/26 courses

Entry requirements

Access courses are designed for students who have not had the opportunity to access higher education, so formal qualifications are not mandatory.

As part of the application process, an interview and a literacy and numeracy assessment will be required so that our tutors are satisfied that you can benefit from the course and be able to cope with the future requirements of studying in higher education.

Funding

If you undertake an Access to HE course, you may qualify for an Advanced Learner Loan. If you are eligible and awarded an Advanced Learner Loan, and successfully complete an eligible Higher Education course, the outstanding balance from your Access course could be written off. For full information and to check your eligibility visit the Student finance for undergraduates web page

Progression routes

Successfully completing an access course will guarantee progression onto a relevant degree course at CU Coventry, subject to meeting specific entrance criteria.

The progression routes we offer are: