Access to HE Business Course in Cambridge – Cambridge Regional College

CostFee:3022.00 Concession: 230.00
Duration6 months
LevelLevel 3
DeliveryClassroom based
Start5 Jan 2027
Study modeFull-time
AttendanceDaytime
Awarding bodyCAVA

About this course

Access to HE Business Course in Cambridge. Classes run at Cambridge Regional College, full-time during the day. This level 3 access to HE business qualification is designed for adults aged 19 or over who want to progress to university without traditional A Levels. The course runs for 10 months and is recognised by UK universities as a route into higher education. You'll study 60 credits at Level 3, covering business topics across mandatory and optional units. Entry requires a full Level 2 or equivalent GCSE grades, plus a satisfactory reference.

Who this course is for

The Access to HE Diploma (Business) prepares adults (aged 19+ if non international) without traditional qualifications such as A Levels for those wanting to gain entry onto degree and other higher education programmes. The qualification is widely recognised by UK universities. The diploma is delivered at our Cambridge Campus. It is made up of 60 credits, all studied at level 3, 45 graded and 15 ungraded, some for mandatory and some for optional units. All units need to be completed successfully to obtain the full diploma. In addition, Study Skills and workshops are part of the course.

The diploma will introduce students to different aspects of business studies allowing them to acquire basic understanding of key business concepts. In this pathway you will study Accounting, Economics, Human Resources, Marketing, Mathematics and Business Environment units, as well as Study Skills and ITC Word Processing. A strongly supportive tutorial and study skills system encourages the development of an autonomous and self-disciplined approach to learning as required by universities. This includes regular group and one-to-one tutorials to set and review targets and ensure sufficient progress is made. Career advice provided by personal tutors and the College Careers officers focuses predominantly on university application, registration with UCAS and completion of the application form, as well as assistance with personal statement writing and advice on a range of higher education courses.

Further information about Access to HE diplomas is available on the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) website: http://www.accesstohe.ac.uk/ACCESS/FAQS/Pages/Default.aspx.

It is advisable to apply for this course between November 2020 and June 2021, as this is a popular course.

Further information on all Access courses, researching your choices for University and help in preparing for interview can be found here https://www.camrevle.com/course/view.php?id=932

Entry requirements

You can enrol on this course if you are aged 19 or over (non international) or 18+ if classed as an international student. You should have a full level 2 or 4 x C grade or better at GCSE including A- C/4-9 in English or maths or above. In addition, IELTS 5.5, ESOL skills for life level 1 or FCE would be accepted instead of GCSE in English as well as evidence of completion of compulsory secondary education from country of origin. A satisfactory reference is also required.

What you will learn

  • You'll study core business concepts including management, marketing, and finance.
  • You'll develop academic writing and research skills needed for university study.
  • You'll analyse business case studies and apply theory to real scenarios.
  • You'll build skills in data interpretation and business decision-making.
  • You'll complete both mandatory and optional units across 60 Level 3 credits.
  • You'll practise the critical thinking and independent study expected at degree level.

How you will learn

You'll learn through classroom-based sessions at Cambridge Regional College, with a mix of taught lessons and independent study. Assessment is through assignments and written work across your units. Of your 60 credits, 45 are graded and 15 are ungraded. Your final grade is built up through the work you submit across the year, rather than a single end exam.

What you will need to bring

The centre will provide most materials. Cambridge Regional College will confirm anything else you need before you start.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Business analyst: supports organisations with data and decision-making
  • Marketing assistant: helps plan and run marketing campaigns
  • HR administrator: handles recruitment, records, and staff support
  • Finance assistant: supports budgeting, invoicing, and accounts
  • Operations coordinator: keeps business processes running smoothly
  • Business development executive: identifies growth opportunities for companies

What you could study next

  • BA (Hons) Business Management: the most direct next step after this access to HE business qualification, accepted by most UK universities.
  • BA (Hons) Marketing or Finance: if you want to specialise in a particular business area at degree level.
  • Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Business: a shorter higher education option if you prefer to build up gradually before committing to a full degree.