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Your route to university without A Levels or a level 3 qualification  

Gaining a degree is a valuable achievement that can open doors to many career opportunities. However, lots of people believe that you need A Levels or a level 3 qualification (like a BTEC or T Level) to apply for university. This isn’t the case. Warrington & Vale Royal College’s Access to Higher Education (HE) courses are taught at both the Warrington and Winsford campuses, offering a clear path to university regardless of your previous qualifications.

What is Access to HE? 

An Access to Higher Education Diploma is a level 3 qualification designed for adults (19+) who don’t yet have traditional qualifications but want to go to university. These one-year courses provide the subject knowledge and skills required to apply for your chosen degree.

Whilst studying on an Access to HE course, you’ll develop essential academic and study skills that will help you throughout your time at university.  The college’s supportive tutors will guide you through the university application process, assisting with your UCAS application, helping you write a strong personal statement, and preparing you for interviews. 

Lianne Dawson Access to HE tutor

Meet the Tutor: Lianne Dawson

Lianne Dawson joined Warrington & Vale Royal College in 2023 with a wealth of industry knowledge and experience.  

She is the perfect person to teach Access to Higher Education (HE) at the college, having completed an Access to HE: Nursing & Midwifery course herself before going on to achieve a Bachelor of Science degree from Edge Hill University in 2014, and then a Postgraduate Degree in Education from the University of Bolton in 2015.  

Lianne’s academic pursuits don’t stop there; she is now completing a Doctor of Education at the University of Chester, with a research focus on how social status impacts the academic confidence of Access to HE students. Lianne truly is an expert in her field, and garners significant praise from her students.

Why study Access to HE at Warrington & Vale Royal College? 

Access to HE courses are ideal for mature students who want to return to education. These courses offer a strong foundation for university study, and you’ll be learning alongside other students with similar goals.  Furthermore, you’ll be taught and supported by experts like Lianne.

For those interested in health or social care, you’ll benefit from the college’s Health & Social Care Academy, which includes an independent living flat and a simulated hospital ward. These facilities help prepare you for the working environments you’ll encounter whilst on university placements and in your future careers. All Access to HE students also benefit from the use of the Learning Resource Centre, which offers a quiet study space containing various materials and computer access.

What Access to HE Courses are available? 

Warrington & Vale Royal College offers a range of Access to HE courses that will prepare you to progress on to your desired degree, including: 

If you are interested in studying an Access course but don't have a GCSE English and/or a GCSE maths qualification, the college also offers a Pre-Access to HE course which enables you to achieve these qualifications before progressing on to an Access to HE course.  

What are the costs? 

Funding is available for those interested in studying an Access to HE course at Warrington & Vale Royal College. You may be eligible for an Advanced Learner Loan, which allows you to study now and pay later. If you go on to complete a degree after finishing your Access to HE course, any outstanding balance on the loan will be written off by Student Finance England.  For more information about this, please visit: gov.uk or contact the college’s Learner Services Team by phone: 01925 494 400 or by email: learner.services@wvr.ac.uk.

If you’re looking for a way to get in to university without A Levels or a Level 3 qualification, an Access to HE course at Warrington & Vale Royal College could be the perfect solution. Contact the college today to find out more!
Take the next step towards your future career and apply for September 2025 here