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

Thinking about access to uni as an adult usually brings one practical question to the front of your mind: what will it cost, and is it worth it? If you are balancing rent, a job and maybe a family, you want to know exactly what you are paying for and whether the payments can fit around everything else.

At Courses and Exams, we know that cost is often what decides whether someone takes that first step at all. This guide looks at the money side of the Access to Higher Education Diploma in plain terms: what the fee covers, how you can spread the cost, and what you actually come away with at the end.

What You Are Actually Paying For

Before thinking about payments, it helps to be clear on the qualification itself. The Access to HE Diploma is a Level 3 qualification regulated by the QAA and described as equivalent to three A Levels. It is awarded by Open Awards, a QAA-recognised Access Validating Agency.

Universities use it in the same way as A Level results. Hundreds of UK universities accept it, including many Russell Group universities, depending on the course. If you want the full picture of the route from enrolment to a degree place, it is worth reading about how an Access Diploma gets you into uni before you go any further.

No Hidden Fees: What the Diploma Fee Covers

One of the most stressful parts of going back to study can be the extras that crop up once you have signed up. Pass Learn describes its diploma as “Low Cost, No Hidden Fees”, and it states that all of the following are included in the diploma fee:

• Your course materials, unlocked as soon as you enrol
• Tutor support, with a diploma tutor from day one
• Assessment of your assignments by unit tutors
• Certification, with a digital certificate when you finish

Pass Learn does not publish a price on its pages, so ask for the current fee before you enrol. The reassuring part is knowing that marking, support and your certificate are already part of it rather than surprise charges later on.

Spreading the Cost Over Time

Paying for a course in one go is not realistic for everyone. Pass Learn offers spread-the-cost options for its online Access to Higher Education course, so you can pick a payment method that suits your budget. The options it lists are:

• Clearpay
• Klarna
• Payl8r
• Partially
• PayPal

Read the terms of whichever option you choose, and make sure the payments sit comfortably alongside your other bills.

Keeping Your Income While You Study

For many adults, the biggest cost of going back to education is not the course itself but the hours away from work. This is where studying online makes a real difference. The diploma is 100% online, with no classroom to travel to and no fixed class times, and your materials are there 24/7.

That means you can keep working full-time or part-time and fit your studies around shifts, childcare and everything else. A course you can study around your job lets you keep earning while you work towards a degree, which is one of the most overlooked parts of the value question. If you are comparing options, look for a provider offering genuinely flexible online learning rather than set timetables.

Choosing a Pace That Suits Your Life

How long you study for also shapes how you plan your time and your money. Pass Learn sets out two main paces:

• Fast Track, which can take as little as 6 to 9 months
• Standard pace, which usually takes 9 to 12 months

There are rolling start dates throughout the year, so you do not have to wait for a particular intake. If life gets in the way, you can request an extension or a study freeze.

No Exams, Just Assignments

The way you are assessed is part of what you get for your money too. The diploma is 100% assignment-based with no exams, so there is no exam centre to travel to and no exam day to book off work. Instead you complete essays, reports, research tasks and reflective pieces such as case studies, and submit them online through the Diploma Portal.

Unit tutors mark your work and give detailed feedback, and resubmission may be allowed within the Access Validating Agency’s approved limits.

The Payoff: Up to 144 UCAS Points

The real return on your investment is what the diploma lets you do next. It is made up of 60 credits: 15 ungraded credits that build your study skills and 45 graded credits in subjects linked to your chosen pathway. Those graded credits are awarded Pass, Merit or Distinction, unit by unit, and together they are worth between 48 and 144 UCAS points.

Some universities set a grade profile, such as a certain number of credits at Distinction and Merit, rather than a points total. Reading up on UCAS points for Access to Higher Education will show you how your grades translate, which matters most for competitive courses such as nursing, midwifery and physiotherapy. Bear in mind that the diploma lets you apply but does not guarantee a place, so check that your chosen university accepts it for your course.

Planning Beyond the Diploma

Once your Access year is under way, the next step is your degree application. UCAS’s guide to applying to university as a mature student suggests looking into finance and support as part of your planning, alongside open days and finding a course. It also notes that extra support may be available for students caring for a child aged 17 or under.

Universities usually expect Level 2 maths and English as well, and Pass Learn can arrange Functional Skills or GCSEs alongside the diploma if you need them. For most undergraduate courses starting in 2027, the UCAS deadline is 13 January 2027 at 18:00 UK time.

Conclusion

Working out the cost of an Access to HE Diploma is about more than a single number. With no hidden fees, materials, tutor support, assessment and certification all included, and Clearpay, Klarna, Payl8r, Partially or PayPal to spread the payments, the money side can be planned around your life. Add the chance to keep working while you study, no exams, and a Level 3 qualification equivalent to three A Levels worth up to 144 UCAS points, and it is easy to see why so many adults choose this route.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the Access to HE Diploma cost?

Pass Learn does not list a price on its pages, so it is best to contact them for the current fee. It describes the diploma as low cost with no hidden fees.

Are there any extra costs on top of the diploma fee?

Pass Learn states that there are no hidden fees. Your materials, tutor support, assessment and certification are all included in the diploma fee.

Can I spread the cost of the diploma?

Yes. Pass Learn offers spread-the-cost options through Clearpay, Klarna, Payl8r, Partially and PayPal, so you can choose the one that suits your budget best.

Do I need to give up my job to study?

No. The diploma is fully online with no fixed class times, so you can study around full-time or part-time work and family life.

Will I have to sit any exams?

No. The diploma is 100% assignment-based, and you submit your work online through the Diploma Portal for your tutors to mark.

Do I need any qualifications before I enrol?

No GCSEs or A Levels are needed to enrol. You must be 16 or over, with 19 and over recommended, and have a UK address.

Written by

Courses and Exams Team

We help thousands of students each year with revision, courses and online exams.