Access to HE Diploma (Education Professions)

The Access to HE Diploma (Education Professions) covers the key knowledge areas required for a teaching or education degree: child development and early socialisation, family structures and sociology of education, current developments in education policy, play in the curriculum, perspectives on education theory, equality, diversity and inclusion, safeguarding legislation and practice, working with children with additional needs (SEND), numeracy skills for primary education, and a forward-looking unit on the safe and ethical use of generative AI in education. The 16 units are written specifically for aspiring teachers and education professionals — not as a generic humanities course.

The Access to HE Diploma itself does not confer Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). It is the entry qualification — it earns the UCAS points needed to secure a place on a QTS-conferring undergraduate degree (BEd, BA Education with QTS, or BA Primary Education with QTS) or a PGCE-route programme. QTS is awarded upon successful completion of an approved initial teacher training (ITT) programme, typically at university or through the School-Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) route. Our enrolment advisers can advise on degree programmes that include QTS.

No, you do not need to be working in a school or education setting to enrol on the Access to HE Diploma (Education Professions). The course is open to any adult aged 19 or over who wants to progress to a teaching or education degree. However, gaining some experience in a school, nursery, or educational setting is strongly recommended before applying to university, as education degree programmes typically expect applicants to demonstrate evidence of classroom or early years experience. Many of our learners arrange voluntary or paid school experience alongside their studies.

The typical completion time is 9–12 months, based on approximately 10–15 hours of study per week. You have up to 24 months to complete the course, and because it is entirely self-paced and online, motivated learners often finish faster. The minimum active study period before results can be ratified is six months. There are no fixed term dates, meaning you can start at any time and fit study around school hours, shift work, or family responsibilities.

You can earn up to 144 UCAS points with a Distinction profile across the 16 units. A Pass profile earns approximately 96–120 points; Merit earns 120–132 points; Distinction earns up to 144 points. Most BA Education and BEd programmes require 96–120 UCAS points. Some competitive programmes (particularly those with QTS and within popular Russell Group institutions) may specify Distinction grades in specific units. Always check entry requirements directly with your target university’s education admissions team.

Qualified teachers in England start on M1 of the Main Pay Range, which is £31,650 per year from September 2024 (a 5.5% increase on the previous year, per DfE pay award). In inner London, the starting salary is £40,439. The full Main Pay Range runs from M1 (£31,650) to M6 (£43,607). Experienced teachers can progress to the Upper Pay Range (U1–U3: £45,646–£49,084). Those taking on additional leadership responsibilities receive Teaching and Learning Responsibility (TLR) payments on top of their base salary.

No. The course is 100% coursework and portfolio assessed. You submit written assignments through the online learning platform and your tutor provides detailed feedback within 5 working days. There are no timed examinations and no formal assessments under exam conditions at any stage of the course. Units are graded Pass, Merit, or Distinction. This assessment approach closely mirrors the portfolio-based professional practice documentation that teachers and education professionals regularly produce in their careers.

Yes. The Access to HE Diploma (Education Professions) is an excellent route into early years education. It provides the UCAS points needed for BA Early Childhood Education, Foundation Degree Early Years, or BA Early Years Education with QTS programmes. For those seeking to qualify specifically as an early years teacher, the Early Years Initial Teacher Training (EYITT) route is an alternative pathway after completing a relevant degree. The diploma’s content — particularly the units on child development, play in the curriculum, and working with children with additional needs — is directly applicable to early years professional practice.

Safeguarding refers to the legal and professional duty of those working with children and vulnerable adults to protect them from harm, abuse, neglect, and exploitation. It is a core competency for anyone working in education. The Access to HE Diploma (Education Professions) includes a dedicated Safeguarding unit covering key legislation (Children Act 1989 and 2004, Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023), types of abuse and indicators of harm, the role of the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), and the responsibilities of education professionals in reporting and escalating concerns. This knowledge is assessed and referenced throughout education degree programmes and is a legal requirement for anyone working with children in England.

Yes — and many of our learners do exactly this. The course is 100% online with no fixed attendance requirements, so you can study during evenings, weekends, or non-contact time. Teaching assistants, nursery staff, learning mentors, and school support workers frequently use this diploma as a cost-effective way to progress toward a teaching qualification while remaining in employment. Working in an educational setting while studying also gives you real classroom examples to draw on in assignments, which tutors find strengthens the quality of written work considerably.