Beyond Traditional Academic Journeys 

Educational success is often viewed through the lens of traditional qualifications and uninterrupted academic journeys. Access to HE students remind us that talent, ambition and determination can happen at any stage of life. 

For Kierran, Cambridge came more than a decade after leaving education with four U grades at AS Level. After years working as a support worker, he returned to learning through York College’s Access to HE Diploma in Humanities and Social Science, achieved Distinctions throughout the programme and secured a place to study History at Cambridge.  

Poppy’s route was equally extraordinary. Following multiple disrupted attempts at A Levels, periods of illness, homelessness, personal tragedy and an autism diagnosis, she returned to education through Access to HE and gained a place at Cambridge’s Wolfson College. 

Meanwhile, Maurice left school without any GCSEs after spending time in a Pupil Referral Unit and battling drink and drug addictions in his teens. Through determination, support and an Access to HE Diploma, he achieved Distinctions and secured a Cambridge offer to study History. 

Isaac’s journey demonstrates another reason why Access to HE is so important. After achieving strong GCSE results, he chose A Level subjects based on where he had achieved the highest grades rather than on his long-term interests. The decision left him studying subjects he did not enjoy and led to grades that fell short of his Oxbridge ambitions. After taking a gap year, he enrolled on York College’s Access to HE Diploma in Humanities and Social Science, achieved Distinctions throughout the course, and secured a place to study History and Politics at Cambridge’s Hughes Hall. 

A shared theme is evident in all four stories: educational potential is timeless. 

More Than a Qualification 

Access to HE Diplomas provide a route to university, but these stories show they are much more than that. 

Each student spoke about the support they gained during their studies, which included: 

• Increased confidence  

• Academic skills  

• Essay writing Techniques  

• Critical thinking 

• Research skills and referencing.  

Access to HE prepares students for the realities of higher education and gave these students something many had lost along the way: belief in themselves. 

• Kierran went from feeling apprehensive about returning to education to seeing a future in academia.  

• Poppy realised that Cambridge was not beyond her reach. 

• Maurice stopped believing he was “too stupid for education”. 

• Isaac was able to get back on track towards his Oxbridge ambitions after a disappointing A Level experience.  

Thanks to Access to HE and learning environments that recognise the complex needs and experiences of adult learners, all four are now preparing to attend one of the world’s most prestigious universities. 

Why Access to HE Matters 

These achievements are worthy of celebration not only because the students are heading to Cambridge, but also because they highlight the essential role Access to HE plays in widening participation and creating opportunities for learners who might otherwise be overlooked. Whether someone left school without qualifications, faced significant personal challenges, or simply took a different route through life, Access to HE offers a recognised route into higher education and skilled careers. 

At Skills and Education Group Access, we are committed to working with colleges and training providers to make Access to HE available to more adults across England and Wales.

If you’re looking to strengthen your adult education offer or are considering introducing Access to HE provision for the first time, we’d love to hear from you. Together, we can create more opportunities for adult learners to progress into higher education and achieve their ambitions.