Access to HE (Business)

The Access to HE Diploma (Business) prepares adults (aged 19+ if non-international) without traditional qualifications such as A Levels for study at university or other higher education programmes.  The qualification is widely recognised by UK universities. 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. For further information on the benefits of studying an Access course and what it can lead to, please visit our Awarding body website at https://www.cava.ac.uk/about-access-to-he/for-students/

The diploma will introduce you to different aspects of business studies allowing you to acquire basic understanding of key business concepts. In this pathway you will study Economics, Finance, Marketing, Mathematics and Business and Law units, as well as Study Skills and ITC Word Processing. A strongly supportive tutorial and study skills system is also in place to 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 focus 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.

It is advisable to apply between November 2025 and June 2026, as this is a popular course.
Financial Assistance
For most students, the Access to HE Diploma is free (subject to eligibility for funding).  

• If you are aged between 19-23 and do not have a Level 3 qualification already, there will be no tuition costs.  
• If you are aged 19-23 with a full Level 3 qualification or aged 24+, you may still be eligible for a free course through CPCA funding.  If not, you should qualify for an Advanced Learner Loan to help pay your Access course tuition fees (see
https://www.camre.ac.uk/adult-learners/24plus-loans/).  This loan is currently written off if you then go on to complete a Higher Education qualification.  Please contact our Learner Futures Centre on 01223 226315 or email .

You may be also eligible for financial support towards costs such as travel, equipment, books and childcare through the Advanced Learner loan bursary or 19+ bursary

If you are applying as an International Student, please contact our International Centre via email or telephone 00 44 (0)1223 226317.

We have an excellent track record of student progression into universities. However, you will need to research courses carefully as some programmes have very specific entry requirements.

Learners on this programme have progressed to a range of undergraduate courses such as Accounting & Finance, Business Management, Economics, International Business, Marketing, Tourism Management and many others, at a range of UK universities as well as higher education providers in the USA, Australia, Switzerland and many others.  You might also wish to consider the HNC / HND Diploma in Business at Cambridge Regional College, then progress to a top up degree in your third year.

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.

Classes are mixed in terms of age, gender and ethnicity. Therefore, learners are expected to behave in a mature and respectful manner.

You are expected to attend all classes, be committed to your studies and complete your assignments by deadline. A STRONG COMMITMENT IS NEEDED AS THE COURSE IS VERY INTENSIVE.  

At the beginning of the course, you will be given an English test and a short mathematics test.

Acceptance onto the Access to HE programme is conditional on you:

• attending a Welcome event where you will be interviewed by a member of the team
• providing a satisfactory reference
• attending Taster days: Tuesday 30th June – Wednesday 1st July 2026

We want you to achieve to the very best of your ability at CRC. To make this happen we offer both learning and personal support by specialist staff tailored to meet your specific needs.

You will have a range of assessments – at least one per each unit, following the assignment due deadlines published at the beginning of the course. The assessments include exams, academic essays, reports, presentations and discussions.

Your teachers and College specialist staff provide both learning and personal support. Your teachers schedule regular individual meetings with you (tutorials) to check that you are making at least the expected progress while specialist staff in the College can support you outside of class if you have specific learning needs. In addition to classes, you are expected to complete at least 15 hours of further independent study per week.

Fully-Funded Level 3 Qualifications

This course is fully funded, free, for learners who are aged 19 and above and earn below £25,000, or below £30,491 and live in the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority area.

CPCA Funding

This course is fully funded, free, for learners who are aged 19 and above and earn below £25,000, or below £30,491 and live in the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority area.

Please complete a CRC application form online at www.camre.ac.uk. The Application Form can also be found in the back of our full-time prospectus. If you need any help with applying, please contact our Admissions Office on tel. Cambridge 01223 418448.

Once we have received your application, you will be invited to attend an Interview or Welcome Event, which gives you and your parents/carers the opportunity to have a look around the college, talk to the tutors and ask any questions you may have.