We offer a wide range of Access to Higher Education Diplomas designed to fit around your lifestyle. The Diploma is a one year long course designed for adults aged 19+ who wish to return to education, retrain or progress to undergraduate study.
Access courses are one year, full or part time and are nationally recognised Level 3 qualifications, validated by OCN (Open College Network). Applicants may be required to sit separate GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics alongside their course if they do not already have these qualifications at grade C/4 or above.
Upon successful completion you can apply to undergraduate courses offered by universities and colleges including the South Thames Colleges Group. There are many reasons to continue your studies with us, notably our undergraduate courses offer lower tuition fees providing excellent value and our class sizes are smaller.
You may be eligible for an Advanced Learner Loan to help pay tuition fees which is then written off if you go on to complete a degree course. You may also be entitled to study this course for free if you are:
Hear from some Access to Art & Design and Foundation Diploma Art & Design students
"The course has given me bucketloads of knowledge about the sciences that will help me in my Palaeontology degree at university, with all sorts of knowledge that I'll need to rely on at uni. " BERENGAR NEEDHAM, ACCESS TO SCIENCE
“I am now doing amazing work which is both heart-breaking and rewarding. I owe it to my Kingston College tutor, Sue Brahams, because if she hadn’t shown me what I was capable of I would not be able to do what I do. Thank you so much for believing in me. You told me I was an exceptional student when I didn’t believe in myself and I will always be grateful. I was so afraid back then – now I lead teams and it’s because you showed me I could. Students need to know their dreams can come true.”
From a nurse in Zimbabwe to a First Class Honours Degree in Biomedical Science, Craig Chipfuwmiti has realised his ambitions which started with studying Access to Nursing at Kingston College
Craig received a job offer as a GMP Production Scientist in Cambridge (the hub of biotechnology, research and scientific innovation) before he had even received his final year exam results. He says: “I owe that job offer to my experiences at Kingston College, Kingston University and my student placement. Access to Nursing gave me direct access to university as I did not have the right qualifications having studied abroad, plus I did not have A Levels.”
Former Access to Science student Camila Segura Tassara went on to graduate with a 1st Class Honours degree in Nutrition & Food Science at the University of Reading.
She says: “I received a lot of support as an Access student at Kingston College, all lecturers were helpful not only academically but were also invested in us as individuals to prepare us for our future as professionals in our chosen career paths.
"The Access course may feel fast paced at times, but you will find it makes you a more independent learner and prepares you for academic and professional life! Make sure to go out of your comfort zone, participate and engage with lecturers as much as possible, I personally found this helped me understand what I was learning! Most important is you will make some great friendships along the way.”
“I had such a great experience of being an Access student at Kingston College, and for me it was a very precious period of time because it increased my level of knowledge and awareness of the importance of my future. The course developed many aspects in my life as I became more independent, patient and knowing how to deal with uncomfortable situations, because there were times where I felt stressed and anxious due to the intensity of the course.
“I am well prepared to start university this year to study Dental Hygiene. The Access course immensely increased my confidence and communication skills with people as it is so important for student life.”
“The course is fascinating with lecturers that are very knowledgeable about their subjects and a perfect choice for any science based undergraduate course. “Whilst the course is tough, it's rewarding to do well and the lecturers are all very helpful and willing to aid you. There's also a lot of content on the college Moodle that can answer nearly any question. “The course has given me bucketloads of knowledge about the sciences that will help me in my Palaeontology course at university, with all sorts of knowledge that I'll need to rely on at uni. Enjoy the course, I know I have!"
