Course overview

  • Starts: Sept 2025
  • Duration: 1 year
  • Mode: Part-time | Daytime on Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday
  • UCAS code: N/A
  • Inst. code: Open College Network, London (OCN)

Ideal for: Creatively-minded adults returning to education with an interest in design or digital media with a view to continue on to an honours degree.

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.

What's more... Students who are 19+ can apply for an Advanced Learner Loan to cover the cost of their tuition fee - see 'The Specifics' section below for more information.

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Access to Higher Education course insight short

Meet Clem, our course leader for the Access to Higher Education diploma and find out about the benefits of studying on this course.

quote:Brikena Dunisha

Showcase

Why study this Access to Higher to Education 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 showcase

quote: Nico

Progression

Most of our students go on to study a degree course, with many staying on at Ravensbourne.

If you do choose to stay, there is an internal progression award: Our foundation and access diploma graduates may be eligible for a one-off cash gift of ÂŁ500 if they progress directly to an undergraduate degree course at Ravensbourne.

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

Find more information about our progression scheme.

Application deadlines

The deadline for application submission is currently the end of Summer 2024 for 2024 entry. We are still currently accepting applications.

The specifics

Alumni

Facilities

Our facilities are open to every student

Our facilities are open to every student

One of the best things about our facilities is that they are open to all students no matter what course they are studying.

Watch the video and then scroll through the gallery to see what else you could use.

Male student working on a fashion atelier

Fashion atelier

Our facilities are second to none. Using digital workshops, you will be encouraged to explore new digital technologies, such as: 3D printing, digital knit, digital print, digital embroidery, laser cutting, access to body scanning, and the Lectra CAD/CAM design management system.

Student using the materials library

Materials library

The Ravensbourne materials library is curated by Material ConneXion, a business that introduces brands to the latest material innovations.

The materials scientists at Material ConneXion select innovative materials relevant to the courses at Ravensbourne and that reflect current trends in design and manufacturing.

Samples of these materials are then added to the library so students and staff can browse the physical collection for inspiration, material ideas and applications.

The library hosts 1,500 material samples and an interactive table for further research and access to the Material ConneXion database.

External visitor information

If you wish to come and see the materials library and have a short tour, please contact us to organise.

The materials library can be used by external students registered with the SCONUL access scheme.

Find out more.

Prototyping suite

Prototyping suite

Our rapid prototyping suite helps students to turn ideas into realistic proofs of concept with the use of state-of-the-art 2d and 3d printing and fabrication.

Students can run off a working 3d prototype in less than a day, laser cut a range of 2d and 3d printed materials or use the latest dye-sublimation fabric printers to add incredible patterns to fabric.

We also have one of the world’s first and best multi-material Polyjet printers to produce detailed and precise prototypes that have a final-product look and feel.

Training is provided on specialist equipment and our helpful and friendly staff are on hand to support you in turning your ideas into working prototypes.

Find out more.

Print shop at Ravensbourne University

Print shop at Ravensbourne University

Our Print Shop team will help you with all your printing needs. Whatever the size or material you want to work with, we can help. Bring your ideas up to scale with our large format printer and create printed designs for fabrics or textiles with our screen printing facilities.

Find out more.

 

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TV Studio

Large fully equipped and industry-grade HDTV studio to equip students with the right technology to bring ideas to life.

Find out more.

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Production control rooms

State-of-the-art production control rooms featuring the very latest video and audio editing technology.

Find out more.

Woman sat in tv gallery in editing studio

TV gallery

We have a fully working, industry-standard TV studio, complete with gallery for undergraduates studying editing and production.

Girl sitting in library

Library at Ravensbourne

The Ravensbourne University library has a large collection of print, online and multimedia resources available for staff and students to use.

Find out more.

Staff in the Kit Store

Kit Store at Ravensbourne

As a digital student, you'll need access to equipment relevant to your course that will support your learning.

The Kit Store provides a wide range of equipment that students can borrow to complete their projects. Staff can also borrow equipment to deliver their practical sessions. 

It houses a wide range of equipment from industry standard manufacturers, including cameras, audio, lighting, and more.

Staff at the Kit Store are trained in various relevant departments and are available to give advice on all the equipment within the store, to help you realise your project.

Find out more.