Start our SCQF 6 English course online, anytime.
Study flexibly online with the University of Aberdeen and earn a Higher-equivalent English qualification.
- Get the English grades you need to get into university, college, and teacher training.
- Lift your learning, confidence, and qualifications in English.
Start anytime
You’ll have 12 months to complete the course at your own pace.
24/7 learning
Set your own hours and study when it suits you.
Get the grades you need for teacher training in Scotland
Take this SCQF 6 English course to raise your English grades for entry to our Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE).
If you need to raise your maths grades for PGDE entry, take this maths course:
Trusted by 1,000s of online learners
Over 7,000 students have joined our Access English and maths courses since they launched in 2017.
What you’ll study
You’ll work through an engaging range of English topics.
There are four main topic areas. They cover key SCQF Level 6 (Higher-level) English skills:
- Postcards and Perspectives: Travel Writing
- Trust Me. I’m a Writer: Reportage
- Heroes and Villains: Archetypes
- Conflict
How you’ll study
Online learning
This is an online, self-guided course.
You’ll work your way through four main course units. Each unit guides you through structured exercises that help you to develop and consolidate your learning.
Once you’ve enrolled, you’ll have 12 months to complete the course at your own pace.
Online learning platform
Your course is delivered online through MyAberdeen, our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). It’s packed with learning resources, including:
- videos
- reading materials
- discussion boards with classmates.
It’s also available as a mobile app, so you have access to all your learning materials on your smartphone and mobile devices. Take a look around MyAberdeen.
In this self-guided course, you set your own study hours.
The learning resources are there for you 24/7, all year round, so you can log in and study anytime.
How many hours per week?
- Learning and assessment for this course totals approximately 150 hours.
- That’s around 10 – 15 hours per week over 12 weeks.
- This is an indicative guide to the time required for a typical student at this level to achieve the learning outcomes.
You’ll carry out all of your assessments online.
- Your course ends with two assessments. You complete and submit these online.
- You do not have to take these final assessments until you feel ready. You can go back and review previous learning until you feel confident enough to progress to the assessment stage.
- You need to pass both assessments. They combine to give you a final grade.
You can complete your assessments whenever you’re ready, but you will not receive your final grade straight away.
Final grades are not issued automatically.
We determine final grades at five fixed points each year, called exit points.
How exit points work
- You can submit your assessments online at anytime, and they’ll be graded at the next upcoming exit point.
- We position exit points throughout the year to line up with university and college admission dates.
- We have fixed exit points so that your assessments can be reviewed by both internal and external examiners.
How you’ll get your final grade
- You’ll receive a grade according to our Common Grading Scale.
- You’ll receive your grades online.
- You’ll receive your transcript (proof of your grades) via email after your grades are announced.
When you’ll get your final grade
Final grades are available one month after each exit point closes.
See our timeline below to see when exit points close and when results will be available.
Exit points for academic year 2025/2026:
Exit point 1 - September
- Exit point closes 10am, 5 September 2025
- Assessments submitted to us before this exit point closure are graded
- Final grades for assessments submitted in this exit point are available 3 October 2025
Exit point 2 - October
- Exit point closes 10am, 31 October 2025
- Assessments submitted between the closure of exit point 1 and the closure of exit point 2 are graded
- Final grades for assessments submitted in this exit point are available 28 November 2025
Exit point 3 - January
- Exit point closes 10am, 16 January 2026
- Assessments submitted between the closure of exit point 2 and the closure of exit point 3 are graded
- Final grades for assessments submitted in this exit point are available 13 February 2026
Exit point 4 - May
- Exit point closes 10am, 8 May 2026
- Assessments submitted between the closure of exit point 3 and the closure of exit point 4 are graded
- Final grades for assessments submitted in this exit point are available 5 June 2026
Exit point 5 - July
- Exit point closes 10am, 3 July 2026
- Assessments submitted between the closure of exit point 4 and the closure of exit point 5 are graded
- Final grades for assessments submitted in this exit point are available 31 July 2026
Getting your results in time for entry to university or college
You’ll need your Access transcript as evidence for admissions departments. Please ensure you have enough time to receive your results and transcript before your course start date.
Resitting assessments
If you fail an assessment, you are allowed one re-sit attempt for the next available exit point. There is a £30 fee to resit an assessment.
It gave me the flexibility to re-do my Higher English grade, while juggling work and two separate college courses.
Ashleigh, Access Course in English - SCQF 6 student, Part-time Intern and Full-time Student
Where this will take you
Your Access qualification
On successful completion of the course and assessments, you’ll receive:
- 15 credits at SCQF Level 6 (Higher-equivalent level), and
- a transcript of your achievement from the University of Aberdeen.
What are Access qualifications?
This Access qualification is not a Higher qualification. It is equivalent to a Higher qualification.
Highers are awarded by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA). This Access qualification is awarded by the University of Aberdeen.
This Access qualification is designed:
- in accordance with the Scottish Credit Qualifications Framework (SCQF) at Higher level
- by educationalists experienced in working at this academic level
- to develop your Higher-level skills and support your access into college and university.
Access university
Access English is designed to increase your English grades, so you can meet university entry requirements.
This Access qualification, with successful completion of assessments, is accepted for entry at the University of Aberdeen and a range of other Scottish universities.
If you’re applying to study anywhere else, please contact the respective university to confirm the acceptability of this course and the grades required.
Access teaching
Many students take our Access courses so they can apply for entry to a Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE), to start teacher training.
Thinking of getting into teaching?
Meet Malcolm. An English graduate, Malcolm lacked the maths grades he needed to get into teacher training. Find out how our online Access maths course put him on the path to his dream job.
Read about Malcolm’s Access experience
Our teacher training programmes
Our Access qualifications are accepted for entry to both our PGDE initial teacher education (ITE) programmes:
I’m from the Philippines and was a Primary Teacher. A year ago, I moved to the UK to join my husband. I’m still aspiring to continue my career as a teacher here. My husband has been helping me look for the best university that will cater my needs in fulfilling my dream and, amongst the other universities we’ve looked at, we believe that University of Aberdeen is the one.
Camille, Access Course in English - SCQF 6 student, Clerical Assistant
Access PGDE courses across Scotland
Because they’re designed around the SCQF, our Access qualifications are accepted for entry to PGDE courses across Scotland. This Access qualification is currently accepted at:
-
Edinburgh Napier University
-
University of Glasgow
-
Queen Margaret University
-
University of the Highlands and Islands
-
University of Dundee
-
University of Strathclyde
-
University of Edinburgh
-
University of the West of Scotland
However, our Access qualifications do not guarantee entry.
If you’re applying to study anywhere outwith the University of Aberdeen, please contact the respective university to confirm the acceptability of this course and the grades required.
As a working mum, a flexible online course is the best mode of study for me, which this university offers at a very affordable cost. I’m happy to recommend University of Aberdeen Online to people like me, from other countries, that just moved here to the UK and want to pursue study, and get better job opportunities.
Camille, Access Course in English - SCQF 6 student, Clerical Assistant
Entry requirements
You will need access to:
A computer (PC, laptop or Mac) with an up-to-date operating system
Most teaching materials are smartphone- and tablet-friendly. But we recommend a proper laptop or desktop for completing assignments comfortably.
Reliable internet access
We recommend:
- a wired connection
- a minimum download speed of 2 Mbps so you can take part fully in live sessions.
Speakers or headphones
- We recommend a headset with built-in microphone and earphones if you’re likely to study in an environment with background noise.
- A webcam is optional, but you may like to use one for some interactive sessions.
Software
We’ll give you access to Office365 applications. This means you can use online versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneDrive and install these programs on up to five personal devices.
If your course requires specialist software, we’ll provide you with access to this and a licence that lasts throughout your studies.
See our detailed IT requirements for more information.
When you study with us, you can expect a first-class support structure that means you are never alone in your studies.
But learning online does mean that you have to motivate yourself and manage your own time.
This course is very much self-guided.
- Have you ever taken a course that involved a high proportion of self-study?
- If yes, did you enjoy self-study as a way of learning?
Self-study isn’t for everyone. If you have any concerns or queries, get in touch with our friendly team. We’re here to help.
Staff discount
University of Aberdeen staff are entitled to a discount on this course. View full details and eligibility criteria.
No other discounts are available.
How to pay
- Your course fee needs to be paid in full before you start your course.
- You enrol and pay for your course online – simply apply below.
- We accept payment via Visa Debit, Visa Credit and Mastercard.
Fees for this course will rise a little at the start of each academic year, on 1 August. This increase is typically 3%.
Resitting assessments
There is a £30 fee to resit your assessments.
This course has no formal entry requirements. You decide if it’s suitable for you.
The course is designed to lift your learning to SCQF Level 6 (Higher level). It’s ideally suited to those who have:
- a pass or better at SCQF Level 5 (National 5).
National 5 is equivalent to a credit pass at Standard Grade or a good pass at O-Grade. See the guide to SCQF levels.
