PROGRESSION TO HIGHER EDUCATION
QAA-recognised Access Provision -
These awards provide learners entry to Higher Education (HE) and training. They are recognised by the Quality Assurance Agency for HE (QAA), which licences OCNW as an Authorised Validating Agency (AVA).
The Access to HE scheme is designed to provide a route into Higher Education for learners who have few or no previous qualification. The scheme is made up of individual qualifications in a wide range of subject areas at level 2 and level 3 that combine into a Full QAA-recognised Access Certificate.
For the Full QAA-recognised Access Certificate learners must complete three level 2 and two level 3 subject awards. This is typically in one year, but can also be part-time over 3 years.
Exciting News for Deliverers of Access Provision
Access to HE Subject Awards
Level 2 awards are introductory units designed to provide a firm foundation of knowledge in the subject. They do not have examinations and require the learner to produce a coursework portfolio for all three level 2 awards completed. Level 2 encompasses GCSE Equivalent awards in English, Maths, Science and Modern Foreign Languages. These have an element of coursework and an examination. Learners can combine standard level 2 awards with GCSE Equivalents.
Level 3 units are advanced level awards, they require the completion of coursework and most have an examination. Learners who successfully secure a final averaged grade of 50% and above are deemed “suited to undergraduate study” and 60% or over "well suited to undergraduate study".
In effect then an adult learner who has reasonable literacy, and possibly numeracy skills, but no other formal qualifications can gain entry to a university course or higher-level training in say Nursing or Social Work in one academic year.
Individual QCA Accredited Awards
These programme act as an effective experience in “return to learn” study skills and the initial stages of learning about a variety of disciplines. They are short, individual subject awards at level 2 and 3. They are all QCA accredited and open to learners 16 years old and over. Each award is designed to be delivered in 60-62 guided learning hours and requires the completion of one piece of coursework and one assessment under supervised conditions. The coursework could be an essay, report or task to be completed by the learner independently. The assessment under supervised conditions might also be an essay or it might be a series of short-answer questions to be completed under controlled conditions.