New Access to HE Specification –Implications of
the withdrawal of the GCSE equivalences from
September 2014
As from September 2014 the QAA will no longer be regulating the GCSE equivalences as part for the
Access to HE Diploma qualification. Although QAA have indicated that Access providers and AVAs can
have local arrangements with HEIs regarding the acceptance of the GCSE equivalences, in reality it is
unlikely that colleges will be able to offer these or HEIs accept them after 2015. The Access to HE
qualification will no longer be a one year entry to HE for all learners. For many this will need to be a two
year programme of study that will inevitably involve both greater time and financial commitment.
OCN London is aware that this change is likely to pose some considerable challenges to Access
providers and learners in the coming academic year. This is a particular issue in greater London where
on average up to 50% of learners on Access courses do not hold GCSEs, with some variation between
Diplomas.
Colleges are currently making key decisions about the setting of entry requirements for September
2014, as many are already starting the recruitment process and preparing new course information.
There are a number of possible alternatives that colleges could consider. These and some of the
possible implications are indicated below. What colleges will choose to offer will very much depend on
what is possible for them as an institution and on the starting point of their learners.
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1. To require learners to already have GCSEs in English and Maths (and in Science for Access to
HE Diplomas in Teacher Training) as an entry requirement.
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This is likely to be an issue, in particular for Diplomas where a large percentage of learners
do not hold these formal qualifications; in particular for subjects in Health and Social Care
where in some London colleges up to 90% of learners this year do not hold GCSEs.
However, for subjects like science and engineering some colleges have already been
asking for level 2 qualifications on entry and this may not therefore pose a significant
problem.
2. To accept learners on to the Access Diploma without GCSEs and to offer GCSE Maths and
English qualifications alongside the Access Diploma. (These are currently funded for adults).
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For some learners it could be quite a challenge to achieve the Access to HE Diploma and
two GCSEs in one year.
This could also be an issue for learners on Job Seekers Allowance, as this programme of
study is likely to exceed 16 hours if learners need both their GCSEs.
Science GCSE is not funded for adults and very few colleges offer this, making it very
difficult for learners who wish to progress into teaching unless they already have this
qualification.
3. To offer a two year programme to learners whose maths and English is not strong enough for
them to complete both the Access Diploma and GCSEs in one year and to offer one or more of
the following possible options.

A funded fast track Pre Access course for which OCN London is developing small English
and Maths qualifications that prepare learners for GCSE, for the first six months of year one
New Access to HE Specification –Implications of
the withdrawal of the GCSE equivalences from
September 2014
followed by GCSE Maths and English from January to complete in June and the Access
Diploma in year two

A funded Pre Access qualification as above and packaged with a smaller version of existing
Pre Access qualifications, including study skills and the former GCSE equivalence units in
year one and the Access Diploma plus GCSEs in year two.

GCSE maths and English in year one and the Access Diploma in year two
One of the key questions is going to be what HEIs will do in terms of their entry requirements and
offers. OCN London is liaising with HEIs; in particular for areas such as nursing to ensure that they
have all the information regarding the new Diploma specification and to gauge what they will require
including what if anything HEIs are likely to accept as alternatives to GCSEs in 2015. If HEIs are happy
to accept alternatives such as the smaller Maths and English qualifications, the former GCSE
equivalence units or functional skills at level 2, then these could be an option for some learners. It is
worth noting however that employers will still often want GCSEs and learners wanting to eventually go
on to a PGCE are still likely to need GCSEs.
It is assumed however, that for some courses HEIs will require the GCSEs. OCN London will be
advising HEIs to consider GCSEs if they are taken alongside the Access Diploma, rather than setting
them as a requirement at the point of application.