The Access to HE course is specially designed for mature students (aged 19+) who wish they had taken their education further when they were younger and would like the opportunity to begin studying again to progress on to a university course such as an HNC, HND, Foundation Degree or Full Degree. The full Access to Higher Education programme is split into two parts. This Pre-Access Certificate (Level 2) and then the full QAA Access to HE Diploma (Level 3). A certificate is awarded after completion of the Level 2 qualification.

East Durham College students who have successfully completed this programme and then the full Level 3 Access to HE course have progressed on to study a wide range of degrees at universities and colleges across the UK, including the likes of Durham, Sunderland, Teesside, York and Hull - to name but a few. Our students have studied degrees in subjects such as criminology, forensic biology, journalism, law, midwifery, nursing, physiotherapy, social work and teacher training. EDC students have then gone on to have successful careers in fields such as nursing, social work and teaching.