If you’re an adult aiming for an English-related degree and don’t have A-levels, you’ll usually need a level 3 qualification first: an A-level such as English Language and Literature, or an Access to Higher Education Diploma. The A-level suits you if you want to study at home on your own schedule. The Access course suits you if you want a year of classroom teaching across several subjects. Ask the university which it accepts before you choose.
What is an Access to Higher Education Diploma?
An Access to Higher Education Diploma is a level 3 qualification designed for adults who want to go to university but don’t have the usual qualifications. It’s regulated by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, runs for 60 credits, and is usually taught over one academic year at a further education college. Students take several subjects, often grouped into a pathway such as humanities.
Access courses involve regular classes and assignments across the year. Adults aged 19 and over can fund an Access course through a government loan; check the current rules with the college, as funding arrangements change.
What is A-level English Language and Literature?
A-level English Language and Literature is a single A-level that studies texts with the tools of both linguistics and literary criticism. Pearson Edexcel’s version (9EL0) is assessed by two written exams of two and a half hours each, plus coursework: two creative pieces and an analytical commentary on them.
CloudLearn’s online A-level in English Language and Literature is self-paced, covers the coursework component and arranges the exam entry at a partner centre, with exam fees charged separately. It gives 24 months of access, with tutor support by written message.
An A* at A-level is worth 56 UCAS tariff points.
Which is better for an English degree?
Neither, universally. The right one is the one your chosen university and course accept, and the one that fits your life. Here’s how they compare on the practical points.
| Feature | A-level English Language and Literature | Access to HE Diploma |
|---|---|---|
| Subjects | One | Several, in a pathway |
| Study | Self-paced, at home or at a college | Classes on a college timetable, usually one academic year |
| Assessment | Two written exams plus coursework | Assignments and assessments across the year |
| Exam dates | May and June only | Set by the college |
| Best for | Adults who need flexibility, or who already hold some level 3 qualifications | Adults who want structure, a cohort and several subjects |
Some admissions teams ask for a specific combination: an Access Diploma in a relevant subject, or an A-level alongside other study. Ask before you enrol. Brighton has two universities, the University of Brighton and the University of Sussex, so if you’re aiming locally, that’s two admissions teams worth emailing.
If you already have qualifications at level 3 or above, such as an older A-level or a vocational qualification, a single English A-level might be all an admissions tutor wants to see. That’s a question worth asking too.
What does the A-level coursework involve?
The 9EL0 coursework has two assignments, according to CloudLearn’s outline of the specification. The first is two creative pieces, one of non-fiction and one of fiction, of 1,000 to 2,000 words combined. The second is an analytical commentary of 1,000 to 1,250 words on the choices you made.
A centre has to accept and authenticate that coursework from a private candidate, so sort out who handles it before you start. If you write for work or for pleasure, this is the part of the A-level that will feel most like home.
When should you start?
Earlier than you’d think, because of the coursework. CloudLearn asks for at least eight months’ booking notice for A-levels with coursework, against six months for exam-only subjects. For a May 2027 sitting, that point has passed, so an adult starting now should aim for summer 2028.
That fits a September 2028 degree start well. CloudLearn recommends 360 guided hours for the course, and from now to mid-May 2028 is about 80 weeks, or around four and a half hours a week.
Check how your university handles applications with results still to come. Universities routinely make offers that depend on results still to come.
How does Brighton and Hove do in English?
The city’s schools do better than the national average at GCSE. CloudLearn analysis of provisional Department for Education key stage 4 data for 2025/26 shows 78.4% of pupils in Brighton and Hove’s state-funded mainstream schools reached grade 4 or above in English, against 76.4% across England. The figure was 76.1% in 2024/25 on the same basis.
None of that helps if you left school years ago without A-levels. It does mean the city has plenty of people who enjoy English, and an English degree as a mature student puts you in good company.
Frequently asked questions
Do universities accept a single A-level from a mature student?
Some do, depending on your other qualifications and experience. Ask the admissions team for the course you want.
Can I take A-level English Language and Literature without GCSE English?
There’s no formal requirement for a private candidate, and CloudLearn sets no entry requirements for the course. Universities may still ask for GCSE English alongside your level 3 qualification.
Which universities in Brighton offer English degrees?
Both the University of Brighton and the University of Sussex list English-related courses. Check each course page for its mature student entry requirements, then email admissions with your situation.
How long does an Access course take?
Usually one academic year full-time, though some colleges run part-time versions over longer.
