Access Programme

Our Access Programme is a part-time course that provides a route for adult returners to study undergraduate degrees offered by the University of Edinburgh's College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.

Who the Access Programme is for

The Access Programme might be right for you if: 

  • you want to study a degree but maybe haven't completed Highers, A levels or equivalent qualifications 
  • you've had a continuous gap of at least three years at some point in your formal education 
  • you're excited by learning and exploring new ways of seeing the world 
  • you're keen to develop your skills and confidence and study in a more formal way 

What the access programme offers

The aim of the Access Programme is to ensure you have the best possible start to your university learning experience by introducing you to what university study is like.  

As you progress through the programme, the academic, individual study and assessment requirements will gradually become closer to those you will experience in your first year of degree level study.  

During the Access Programme, you will be able to apply to study a degree at the University's College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, which offers programmes such as: 

  • art and design-based subjects, including (but not limited to) Animation, Fashion, Painting, Photography and Textiles
  • humanities subjects, including (but not limited to) History, Law, Philosophy and Scottish Literature 
  • social science subjects, including (but not limited to) Community Education, Politics, Social Anthropology and Social Work 

Contact us through an online sign language interpreter

British Sign Language (BSL) users can contact the University of Edinburgh via Contact Scotland BSL, the online British Sign Language video relay interpreting service.

Find out more on the Contact Scotland BSL website


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