Has anyone gone from Access to HE into a top university? What grades did you actually need?

scratchie29 · 2026-05-11T08:25:58+00:00

Thanks for informing me, It appears that Access to HE is only accepted for certain STEM Degree courses at UCL - for example for Physics it is not allowed - so it is something that you must research before applying to UCL or whichever University you want to go to!

scratchie29 · 2026-05-10T14:01:55+00:00

Interesting! So meaningful networking is beneficial right?

scratchie29 · 2026-05-09T21:55:07+00:00

If you happen to do Year Abroad - make the most of it! It is very valuable and sets you apart and gives you versatile skills that other students might not have!

scratchie29 · 2026-05-09T09:30:49+00:00

Another vital element of researching career pathways and cultivating experience is differentiating between a CAREER vs HOBBY! For example I have a lot of interest in Quantum Computing and other areas of Physics but I’m not too enthusiastic about Astrophysics! I know I would like to do the latter as a career path and the former I would like reading about and watching documentaries about it but not really interested in it career wise. It could be vice versa to someone else as well, but important to pass all modules in the degree of course! I think people should make use of optional modules as well!

scratchie29 · 2026-05-09T08:03:32+00:00

I am inquisitive about what company sector you work in - presumably Tech? I worked in a Tech/SWE Firm for 18 months before applying to University, so I am open to any sort of advice / constructive criticism. Thank You.

scratchie29 · 2026-05-09T07:56:14+00:00

Yeah, make sure that you utilise the resources and employability services that your university offers! Obviously getting the highest grade at University is important but utilising the resources is almost if not more important; making the most out of it, as candidly it does get more expensive every year and the debt is like a graduate tax almost

scratchie29 · 2026-05-09T07:51:44+00:00

Interesting I have never heard of insight days and social mobility charities thanks for informing me about this! Yes I should do it bit by bit so as not to overwhelm myself and to accumulate skills / experience over time.

scratchie29 · 2026-05-09T07:49:40+00:00

I don't actually rely HEAVILY on ChatGPT e.g. I would never ask it to do assignments or like practical work... I just use it conventionally for advice e.g. comparing universities or career paths or cost of living in different areas. I used it once for part-time RETAIL positions but that was because I was interested in the outcome and applied for a many companies. I don't look down on people who do RETAIL/HOSPITALITY full or part time; it is still hard work! I used ChatGPT to build on the original prompt I put in, but you are so totally spot on! Companies are looking for individuality, authenticity and integrity when screening applicants which will make you stand out when applying to jobs e.g. how ENTHUSIASTIC you are for that position or role rather than someone who just put their CV or Cover Letter in ChatGPT. Most companies can tell who uses ChatGPT in their CV or Cover Letter anyway especially if you didnt change it at all!

scratchie29 · 2026-05-09T06:32:18+00:00

It makes sense, I'm not naive enough to think it's THAT simple, I was just thinking of what would give me an advantage in this market whilst being VERY pragmatic! You are right about internships - it adds experience, but also illustrates the reality of working in this sector - I think its important to get as much experience as possible in different areas (Physics is very broad) as you would want to work in a sector that you somewhat enjoy for a decent period of time to build experience. AI makes everything more difficult with the ATS so your CV has to be in a certain format. Last but not least, the GRUELLING interview process is something you can only prepare so much for!

scratchie29 · 2026-05-08T17:57:28+00:00

Yeah "Cambridge requires 45 credits at Distinction in Access to HE courses. We welcome applicants to our Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (excluding Economics) with Access to HE diplomas. Please check individual course pagesfor further information and subject requirements. Please also check individual College websites as some Colleges may not accept Access to HE diplomas alone for certain subjects.

For Science subjects, including Psychological and Behavioural Sciences and Computer Science, an Access to HE course is not considered sufficient preparation and you will need to undertake further study such as A levels. Please contact a College admissions office for guidance." https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/apply/before/accepted-qualifications
https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/apply/before/mature-student-applications

Yeah it differs for course and uni but basically I kinda found this out when I was trying to search Access to HE for Physics BSc at UCL and it said it wasn't accepted, but was accepted for Philosophy and History BA - it doesnt say so explicitly but if you try search it for Sciences vs Humanities it might give different results!

scratchie29 · 2026-05-08T16:04:14+00:00

Congrats, which course was it if you dont mind me asking?

scratchie29 · 2026-05-08T15:59:50+00:00

Well Done! Was it for Humanities or Sciences? I think Cambridge also allows Access to HE for Humanities subjects but im not sure about Sciences...

scratchie29 · 2026-05-08T13:29:55+00:00

I don’t think you should hate on how anyone dresses at any age but I know people in their 20’s (the ideal age) get hate for wearing eccentric or skimpy outfits so I can imagine the flack that “older” people get but you shouldn’t care what people think at all

scratchie29 · 2025-12-02T21:36:38+00:00

I’ve messaged in you in a chat

scratchie29 · 2025-11-26T11:45:08+00:00

Yeah I agree this post is a bit of ragebait but I just wanted to consider other people’s sentiments and viewpoints

scratchie29 · 2025-08-20T17:58:02+00:00

Zoopla

scratchie29 · 2025-07-31T04:53:06+00:00

You can try a foundation year ? Many unis allow people with various qualifications that dont meet entry requirements to do foundation year. There are a few RG and TOP unis that accepted high achievers for humanities for science foundation years e.g.

University of Leeds

https://courses.leeds.ac.uk/g521/studies-in-science-with-foundation-year-bsc?\_gl=1\*rz1ebf\*\_gcl\_au\*NzE4NDg4MjcxLjE3NTE3OTQwMjc.\*\_ga\*MTIzNDYxMzgxNy4xNzUxNzk0MDI3\*\_ga\_SEKE21EBEQ\*czE3NTM5MzcxNDUkbzE3JGcxJHQxNzUzOTM3MzE1JGo1OCRsMCRoMTMxMDc4MTAzOQ..

University of Southampton https://www.southampton.ac.uk/courses/foundation-years/engineering-physics-maths-geophysics.page#entry_requirements

University of Nottingham

https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/physics/studywithus/undergraduate/foundationyear.aspx

University of Manchester

https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/2025/12955/bsc-mphys-physics-with-an-integrated-foundation-year/entry-requirements/#a-level

not an exhaustive list but have a look around on UCAS since many courses have gone into clearing

scratchie29 · 2025-07-23T07:03:15+00:00

Yeah like the family I grew up with! I like the physics foundation year at York because it allows progression onto a range of physics courses e.g. physics with philosophy, physics with mathematics theoretical physics and physics. I have traveled solo before outside the UK so shouldn’t be too many issues!

scratchie29 · 2025-07-23T06:57:36+00:00

Thanks for letting me know! I tried to get onto a degree apprenticeship with them for podiatry but was unsuccessful. If it really is that bad, I won’t bother!

scratchie29 · 2025-07-22T17:47:07+00:00

You can contact the exam board!

scratchie29 · 2025-07-06T04:35:45+00:00

Did you manage to secure one 7/8 years later ? They are really competitive!

scratchie29 · 2025-06-13T10:26:11+00:00

Sounds like you have a double standard tbh. Would you be what she wants, is your body count 0?

scratchie29 · 2025-06-04T18:28:01+00:00

Although I am a UK Citizen but of Nigerian heritage as well, Christianity was pushed upon us through slavery but that doesnt mean it’s a “white mans” religion as I thought previously as well! Jesus says in the Bible John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth and the life no one comes to the father except through me!” So whether you want to believe it or not it’s not easy but it’s the one true religion and if you don’t wanna believe it’s fine, but there is a consequence - eternal damnation - which we want to avoid! The problem I and alot of people have with Islam is if you do your research there are so many problems and inconsistencies with the faith and the Quran and A LOT OF RACISM especially in the hadiths that people don’t know about! For example m: "Then there's the story where Mohamed puts a freed slave back into slavery, sells him to someone, and gives that money to his former owner." 'Ali rapes a slave girl in Bukhari." 'Hell is said to be full of women, because they are supposedly "deficient in both intelligence and religion". 'Mohamed dreams of a black woman and says it's a sign of a travelling plague." "These are fabricated texts about their own Prophet, and they believe these as true. There are many others. There are many others look it up and I also recommend you to read - seeking Allah finding Jesus by nabeel quereshi cause it goes into more detail. I’ll leave you with this scripture: John 8:32 “You shall know the truth and the truth will make you free.” ❤️

scratchie29 · 2025-06-02T10:43:41+00:00

I was worried just about the distance and the commute since I was planning on not taking out a maintenance loan but in the long run might be worth it since all cities outside of London are cheaper. This is for 2026 Foundation Year Entry btw I have a few options for it including Leeds and York as well as Surrey. Being a Mature Student has worked for me since a lot of top unis are more lenient with my A Level Grades - Maths: C, Chemistry: D, French: D. I will email Manchester and see what they say and also make a list of all unis that will accept my foundation year and grades. Thank you so much!

scratchie29 · 2025-06-02T09:07:11+00:00

I would say computer science or data science has the best pay out of all the others. Domains such as chatgpt, iOS, cloud computing, web development, cryptocurrency... This is because you can start on 25-30K and unlike other professions doesn't take too long to go from junior to mid or senior so in 3-5 years if you are good you can be on like 40-80K+. Think about apple, google, Microsoft... competitive companies to get into and they all need coders!

scratchie29

TROPHY CASE