Some of our mature students apply with an Access to HE Diploma. This page has the detail. 


As long as you are aware of the course restrictions (this qualification is not suitable for all Cambridge courses), an Access to Higher Education Diploma can be a good option if you lack confidence in basic study skills or haven't yet decided which course you want to apply for.

If you have already completed your Access to Higher Education Diploma, see post-qualification applications as well as this page. 

Some students may feel confident to apply having just started an Access to Higher Education Diploma course, though we normally advise you to consider using the second application deadline offered by mature Colleges. Please see our mature students page for information about the second application deadline and email us if you have questions about this.

Which courses can I apply for with Access to HE Diploma?

Courses you can apply for are:

Anglo-Saxon, Norse, and Celtic; Archaeology; Architecture; Asian and Middle Eastern Studies; Classics; Design; Education; English; Geography; History and Modern Languages; History and Politics; History of Art; History; Human, Social, and Political Sciences; Land Economy; Law; Linguistics; Modern and Medieval Languages; Music; Philosophy; Theology, Religion, and Philosophy of Religion 

In some cases there may be additional requirements. Please see this page for details. E.g. applicants for Music need at least grade 5 in piano; applicants for Law need to show an aptitude for logical thinking, as well as competence in essay writing.

If you apply for Law you will also need to take the LNAT. Please see the Law subject page for details.

Courses you can not apply for with an Access to HE Diploma are:

Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology; Computer Science; Economics; Engineering; Mathematics; Medicine; Natural Sciences; Psychological and Behavioural Sciences; Veterinary Medicine

What grades do I need?


You will need to achieve Distinctions in all relevant subject units.

If you are given a conditional offer, subject-specific requirements may be included in your offer. 

Choosing an Access to HE Diploma course


Access Diplomas do vary, and you should ensure the course you follow contains a serious examination element, as well as permitting in-depth study in the area(s) that most interest you.

For example, we would accept these courses for a Law application: