About the course
The Access to Higher Education Diploma (Business) is designed to support adult learners and those returning to education who wish to progress into higher education within business-related disciplines. This course provides a strong academic and practical foundation, equipping students with the essential skills, knowledge, and confidence required to succeed at undergraduate level.
Throughout the programme, students develop key academic writing and study skills, enabling them to research, structure, and present ideas to a higher education standard. Emphasis is placed on referencing and academic integrity, ensuring learners are fully prepared to meet university expectations. Alongside this, students build numeracy and financial skills, including core finance concepts such as budgeting, financial analysis, and interpreting business data, which are vital for success in business-related degree programmes.
The course explores a range of business-related theory and practice, including areas such as marketing, management, entrepreneurship, economics, and the business environment. Teaching and assessment encourage critical thinking, independent learning, and the application of theory to real-world business contexts.
The qualification is made up of a combination of mandatory and optional units, allowing students to develop core competencies while tailoring elements of their learning to their chosen progression route. On successful completion of all required units, students will have achieved an Access to HE Diploma, which enables progression onto a wide range of undergraduate business degrees, subject to individual university entry requirements.
This course provides a supportive and structured pathway into higher education, helping students transform their ambitions into achievable academic and career goals within the business sector.
Type of LearningAdult Learning
Course CodeA7566
Duration1 year
Cost
Awarded ByGateway Qualifications
Entry Requirements
Applicants must hold GCSE or Level 2 Functional Skills qualifications in both English and Maths at the point of enrolment, and evidence of these qualifications must be provided. Please note that some universities do not accept Level 2 Functional Skills qualifications and may require GCSEs instead.
Assessment
Assessment is continuous throughout the course and may include:
Written assignments, essays and reports
Presentations
Lesson planning and reflective journals
Research projects and case studies
Careers & Progression
Progression from this course provides learners with a strong foundation to move into Higher Education (HE) or directly into the business industry. Students develop a broad understanding of key business concepts such as marketing, finance, and management, alongside essential transferable skills including communication, problem-solving, and teamwork.
For those choosing to progress to HE, the course prepares learners for degrees in areas such as Business Management, Marketing, Accounting, or Entrepreneurship. The academic skills developed—such as research, analysis, and evaluation—ensure students are well-equipped to meet the demands of university-level study.
Alternatively, learners may choose to enter the business industry, where they can apply their knowledge in real-world contexts. Career opportunities include roles in administration, retail management, customer service, finance, and marketing. The course also supports progression into apprenticeships, allowing students to earn while they learn and gain valuable industry experience.
Overall, this course equips learners with both the academic knowledge and practical skills needed to succeed in a wide range of future pathways.
Information About Fees
If you are aged 19 or over, you may be eligible for an Advanced Learner Loan to cover the cost of your tuition fees.
You don’t start repaying the loan until you earn over £27,295 per year (current threshold).
If you progress to university and successfully complete your degree, your Advanced Learner Loan for this Access course is written off in full.
This means you could study completely free, depending on your progression
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