• Access Diploma approved by QAA
• Awarded by OCNSWR
• Credit based qualification
• The Common Access Framework (CAF)
• CAF pathways, modules and units
• 60 credits, at least 45 at level 3
• Level 3 units graded at Pass, Merit or
Distinction

The Common Access Framework:
• 2004-5, 1 CAF pathway with 8 subject modules
• 2010-11, 15 CAF pathways with 70 subject modules
• 2003-4 Health and Social Care
• 2004-5 Education
• 2005-6 Combined Studies
• 2006-7 Creative Arts, Computing, Science and Sport
• 2007-8 Business Studies, Journalism and Media, Land Based
Studies. Extension of Creative Arts pathway
• 2008-9 Forensic Science, Humanities, Social Science, extension of
Journalism and Media pathway
• 2009-10 Tourism, Art and Design

The last ten years - Access to HE Learner Registrations
3500
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0
2001-
2002
2002-
2003
2003-
2004
2004-
2005
2005-
2006
Year
2006-
2007
2007-
2008
2008-
2009
2009-
2010
2010-
2011
Series1

• Students’ views – Recognition of achievement; fuller feedback
• Progression Data – Overcoming barriers in some areas and institutions
• Fair Admissions Developments in HE – need for transparency, equity and fairness
• Credibility of the Qualification – erratic offers, credit inflation, ‘informal’ grades

• Unit grading
• Only level 3 units
• No aggregate or single final grade
• Pass/ Merit/ Distinction model
• No numerical grades
• Grades subject to moderation and standardisation
• Grade profiles awarded with Diplomas

Percentage of graded units awarded to learners achieving an Access to HE Diploma in
2009-10 with a fully graded profile
Level 3 - Pass
24%
Level 3 - Distinction
36%
Level 3 - Merit
40%

Graded Profiles Awarded (Access to HE Diploma achievers 2009-10 with fully graded profiles)
Some Passes and some Merits
(no Distinctions)
13%
Some Passes and some
Distinctions (no Merits)
1%
All Passes (no Merits or
Distinctions)
1%
All Merits (no Passes or
Distinctions)
0%
All Distinctions (no Passes or
Merits)
4%
Some Merits and some
Distinctions (no Passes)
22%
Some Passes, some Merits and some Distinctions)
59%

Business Studies 27
Combined
Studies
Computing
Creative Arts
Education
Health & Social
Care
WBL
541 Humanities
35
57
69
Land Based
Science
Social Science
Sport Science
742 Journalism &
Media
23 TOTAL
1
70
266
31
24
22
1928

Access to Higher Education (Health and Social Care)
6,000
5,000
4,000
3,000
2,000
1,000
0
Additional Level 2 Level 3 - Pass Level 3 - Merit Level 3 - Distinction

How are Grades Evidenced?
• The Access to HE Diploma consists of 60
Credits
• A Certificate is issued stating achievement of the full AHE Diploma
• A Unit Transcript is issued listing the grades awarded
• Any Credits achieved above the 60 required for the Diploma appear as ungraded ‘Additional’ units

• Admissions staff may view Access student results, including grades in the secure area of the OCNSWR website
• Communities of Practice
• OCNSWR Student Guide to Grading
• OCNSWR Access to HE Guidance for HE
Admissions staff
• No significant changes to the grading system as yet

• Significant issues raised by funding arrangements in both FE & HE especially
2013 onwards – loans for Level 3 courses
• Developing both regional and national campaigns that demonstrate the value of
AHE
• Health & Social Care Professions could play a significant part in developing Case
Studies/illustrating the impact of AHE

• Steph Hulford, Director of Access at stephanie.hulford@ocnswr.org.uk
• Access to HE Officer – edwina.allison@ocnswr.org.uk
• Karen Cousins, Access to HE Officer at karen.cousins@ocnswr.org.uk
• QAA Website – www.accesstohe.ac.uk
• OCNSWR Website – www.ocnswr.org.uk