Stay at Gateshead College

Access to Higher Education Diplomas

Why go anywhere else when our higher education programmes can give you the skills you need?

A Higher Education course with Gateshead College, will give you an affordable alternative to university degrees and with smaller class sizes you’ll receive fantastic support and quality teaching in our amazing £75 million facilities. Our courses are driven by employer feedback, we know what skills they want and our aim is to make our students the most highly prized employees in the job market, so whether you’re looking for a change in direction or looking to take the next step up the career ladder, we can help. 

We also run a number of Access programmes which are ideal for those over 19 years old to provide an intensive, fast track route into Higher Education for those who didn't quite get the grades they needed to go onto a degree straight away.

 

Did you know?

Our higher education programmes and facilities are designed by working closely with businesses and entrepreneurs to give our students the employment edge.

Be a highly prized graduate

  • We choose leading organisations as our delivery partners and our degrees are backed by the best universities in the region.
  • You’ll work on commercial projects, complete work placements and manage projects tailored to your interests.
  • Our team of industry experts will guide you, with the support of a network of professional mentors and guest lecturers in facilities that have seen £75million of investment.
  • As a Gateshead College graduate, you will leave us in the best position to secure employment, a promotion or a new career with a CV packed with experience, a portfolio of work, a network of contacts and skills you can directly apply to the workplace.

What we offer

Higher Education Guide

Higher Education and Professional Guide 2015 Download

Financial support

Full time students
If you study on a full time programme, you can apply for a fees loan, maintenance loan, maintenance grant and additional allowances for dependents, plus Disabled Students’ Allowance to help with the cost of studying if you have disabilities or learning difficulties.

Part time students
Part time students can apply for the fees loan and Disabled Students’ Allowance.

Loans you repay
You can apply for a loan to help cover the cost of your programme fee, repayments start when you earn over £21,000 per year. Visit the Student Finance website to apply for support, calculate your entitlement and information about repayments.

Grants and allowances you do not repay
You may be eligible for additional support in the form of allowances and grants which you will not need to pay back. These allowances and grants are subject to an eligibility criteria.

Case studies

David Burns

David Burns

Course

Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care

Job

Support Worker

Phil Duggan

Phil Duggan

Course

HND Computing

Job

Business Owner: Noiseworks

Kate Lisgo

Kate Lisgo

Course

BA (Hons) Leadership and Management

Job

Nissan

Jennie Moyse

Jennie Moyse

Course

Foundation Degree in Sports Coaching

Job

Personal Yrainer

See All Case Studies

Don't have the grades?

If you want to get back into higher education but don’t have the grades, we can help.

An Access to Higher Education Diploma is an intensive, fast track route into higher education aimed at adults over 19 years old and is equivalent to A Level qualifications. With lower fees than University as well as smaller class sized giving you more one to one support, could a Higher Education Diploma be for you? The Diploma is a Level 3 course and contains a high level of independent learning to effectively prepare you for life at University and career opportunities.  Our Access team has a wealth of academic and vocational experience to provide you with the knowledge and support required to fulfil your ambitions. Find out more.