Access to Higher Education Diploma

Apply now:

  • Starts:
    Sep 2026
  • Duration: 1 year
  • Mode:
    Part-time | Daytime on Monday & Wednesday
  • UCAS code:
    N/A
  • Inst. code: Open College Network, London (OCN)

Apply now: Sep 2026

Access your creative future

This course will give you the opportunity to consider your creative specialism and develop the skills, techniques and confidence you will need for degree-level study.

Why study this course?

  1. Learn design principles through practical studio projects and workshops, lead by teaching and industry professionals
  2. Experiment with ideas and technology
  3. Graduate with a unique portfolio of work that is interview-ready
  4. You have a broad interest in film, production, animation, sound design, graphics, illustration, animation or 3D design.

Student work

Festive fair textiles project created by Aminta Linares, Access to Higher Education student at Ravensbourne University

Aminta Linares - Kiminute Festive Fair

As part of Aminta’s mid-year industry project, she created a series of festive cross stitch scenes and has progressed to a BA Textiles course

Still from Foreign Exchange film project by Beatriz Scotuzzi, Access student at Ravensbourne University

Beatriz Scotuzzi - Foreign Exchange

Beatriz created a narrative short film that explored cultural and linguistic imperialism through the lens of her native Brazil for her final major project. The film design captures the essence of a Brazilian house in the 1970s, with English speaking media and culture slowly taking over the house.

Beatriz is progressing to study BA Digital Film Production.

Poster for Slatwater, a short narrative animation created by Access student at Ravensbourne University

Jae Buttrum - The Face of Beauty

Jae created a short narrative animation exploring ideas of place and culture her story focuses on a Caribbean island symbolising freedom - this is the promotional poster for Saltwater.

Jae is progressing to study BA 3D Animation.

Box for Focus Fumbl Card Game Promo created by Barbara Szemerédi, Access student at Ravensbourne University

Barbara Szemerédi - Focus Fumbl Card Game Promo

Barbara created a tabletop game exploring the experience of neurodiversity, which was devised as the Final Major Project for the one-year Access to HE Diploma and is progressing to BA Motion Graphics.

Building Democracy model of a building designed by Access student at Ravensbourne University

Francesca Lacey - Building Democracy

Francesca’s final major project on the Access to HE Diploma aimed to design a space that actively involved public opinion in government processes and introduced accountability by the hands of those directly affected by the policies that are being implemented.

Francesca will be progressing to study BA Architecture. 

Ravensbourne’s Access to HE programme was the third Access course I enrolled on after leaving two others due to a lack of engagement. When I started, I remember thinking, “I wish I’d known about Ravensbourne when I first began exploring my options as a student over 21.”

—

Nico Froehlich , Graduated in 2017, award-winning freelance photographer and currently teaching at Ravensbourne

The specifics

I can wholeheartedly say that the Access to HE course at Ravensbourne University has shaped my future and changed my life. Completing the course really boosted my confidence as a creative and prepared me to enter the world of digital media and design.”

—

Brikena Dunisha , 2017 graduate

Progression

After completing the Access to Higher Education course, many of our students progress to degree-level study.

Below is a list of undergraduate courses you can progress to after completing an Access to Higher Education course at Ravensbourne.

To help support students with the cost of studying in the current economic climate, we offer a £500 internal progression award for those who progress directly from an Access to Higher Education course to an undergraduate degree at Ravensbourne. For further details, go to our Progression scheme page.

Advance Learner Loan

Students who are 19+ can apply for an Advanced Learner Loan to cover the cost of their tuition fee on the Access to Higher Education course at Ravensbourne.

To be eligible, you must be a UK National or have settled status and have been living in the UK, Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man for 5 years immediately before starting your course. 

For more information and to apply for the Advance Learner Loan, visit the Student Loan Company website.

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Alumni

Esther Gbogboade

Having progressed all the way from pre-degree level at Ravensbourne, Esther is now one of our postgraduate students.

Read her story