Access to HE Business Course. Study online, at your own pace, fitting learning around work and other commitments. The course is free for some learners, and fees may apply for others. If you are 23 or under with no prior Level 3 qualification, you may be entitled to a tuition fee waiver. You'll need Level 2 qualifications in both English and Maths (GCSE grade C/4 or above, or Functional Skills) before you enrol. The course takes one year and covers the business knowledge and academic skills UK universities look for. It's recognised by universities for entry onto degree, foundation degree, and HNC/HND programmes.
Who this course is for
Do you have dreams of going to university, but don't quite have the qualifications to get in?With start dates that are offered all year round our online Access to Higher Education diplomas are the perfect solution to helping you get the grades AND the study skills you need.The beauty of our online courses is that they are self-directed, meaning you can study at home whenever you have some spare time. It fits perfectly around your work and adult life commitments - we know there can be a few.You'll be assigned a subject specialist team of academic assessors, so you won't be left on your own to figure it all out. These assessors will guide you in the right direction and provide feedback on your assignments. Additionally, the support staff, are available to offer further advice and assistance.As you get towards the end of your course, we'll be able to give you tips and support with your university application and help make that dream a reality.The Access to Higher Education (HE) Diploma is a qualification, equivalent to a level, which allows students to go on and study higher education courses including bachelor�s degrees, foundation degrees, higher national certificates and diplomas (HNC/HND) and higher degree apprenticeships. Access to HE courses are available in a wide range of different subjects and are widely recognised by UK universities and higher education institutions._Due to limitations with funding, our online Access to HE Diplomas are only available to those who are aged 19 or older on the 31st of August 2026_.[**See the our full list of online Access to HE Diplomas**](https://adult.escg.ac.uk/online-courses/access-to-he-online/)[**QAA Access to HE Write-off Factsheet**](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-pBGEXly4daqdzXOUt9Xb3QYbtjLmHvG/view?usp=sharing)[**Download Unit Breakdown with Credits**](https://drive.google.com/file/d/11GsfUZylovJMRqIBzgUishjt5VQBfh-5/view?usp=sharing)- Contact us 0303 003 8368- [email protected]
Entry requirements
To enrol on this Online Access Diploma, you must have already achieved Level 2 qualifications in both English and Maths (equivalent to GCSE grade C/4 or above, or Functional Skills). Please note that it is not permitted to study English and Maths concurrently with the Online Access Diploma.
What you will learn
You'll develop business knowledge across areas such as economics, marketing, and management.
You'll build academic writing and research skills needed for university-level study.
You'll analyse business case studies and apply theory to real scenarios.
You'll practise critical thinking and argument construction in written assignments.
You'll understand how organisations operate across different sectors.
You'll prepare a university application with guidance from your assessors.
How you will learn
You study online and set your own schedule. The course is self-directed, so you work through materials at home whenever suits you. You'll be assigned a team of subject specialist academic assessors who review your work and give written feedback on assignments. Support staff are also available for additional guidance. Assessment is assignment-based throughout the course.
What you will need to bring
East Sussex College Eastbourne will confirm anything you need before you start. You won't need to purchase books, though you can if you want to supplement the study materials provided.
Where next
Jobs you could do
Business analyst: research and improve how organisations work
Marketing coordinator: plan and deliver marketing campaigns
HR administrator: support recruitment and people management
Operations assistant: help manage day-to-day business processes
Finance assistant: support budgeting and financial reporting
Business development executive: identify growth opportunities for a company
What you could study next
BA (Hons) Business Management: a full undergraduate degree building on the business foundation you've gained.
BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance: for those who want to specialise in financial management.
BA (Hons) Marketing: a degree focused on consumer behaviour, branding, and digital marketing.
Foundation Degree in Business: a shorter higher education route if you want to step into university study gradually.
HNC/HND in Business: a vocational higher education qualification recognised by many employers.
