Which Universities Accept Access to HE for Business?

Last reviewed: September 2026

Business and management degrees can accept an Access to HE Diploma, but the published offer can vary substantially by university and course. Compare the exact course and intake rather than relying on a general statement that a university accepts Access to HE.

Most Access to HE students apply to university while completing their Diploma, for entry in the following academic year. Start with the university's own course page, note every condition that applies to you, and contact admissions only when information is missing or ambiguous.

Which universities accept Access to HE for Business?

The examples below show five universities whose published Business Management requirements include Access to HE for 2027 entry. They illustrate why the grade profile and subject wording matter as much as the fact that a course accepts the qualification.

University of Derby

BA (Hons) Business Management, September 2027 entry

Access to HE
Pass a 60-credit Access to HE Diploma, including 45 Level 3 credits: 15 at Distinction, 24 at Merit and 6 at Pass.
GCSE or Level 2
GCSE Maths and English at grade 4/C or above, or an equivalent qualification.

View Derby's official Business Management entry requirements

University of Liverpool

BA (Hons) Business Management, September 2027 entry

Access to HE
Pass a relevant Access to HE Diploma in Business, Humanities or Social Science, with 45 Level 3 credits: 36 at Distinction and 9 at Merit.
GCSE or Level 2
GCSE Maths at grade 5/C and GCSE English at grade 4/C are required.

View Liverpool's official Business Management entry requirements

Queen Mary University of London

BSc (Hons) Business Management, 2027 entry

Access to HE
60 credits overall, including 45 at Level 3: 30 at Distinction and 15 at Merit or higher. Applications are considered case by case; meeting the minimum grades alone does not result in an offer.
GCSE or Level 2
GCSE English and Maths at grade 4/C, or an acceptable equivalent, are required.

View Queen Mary's official Business Management entry requirements

What these Access to HE offers show

There is no single national Business Management Access offer. Sheffield Hallam specifies a minimum of 15 Level 3 credits at Merit or above, while Derby, Liverpool and Queen Mary set different profiles across the 45 graded Level 3 credits. Birmingham City University publishes a pass requirement with 60 credits overall and 45 at Level 3, but you should still check the course page for all current conditions.

Subject relevance can also be explicit. Liverpool specifies a relevant Business, Humanities or Social Science Access Diploma. When asking a university about your route, use Academy Online Learning's formal qualification title: Access to Higher Education Diploma (Business). Include the degree title, UCAS code and planned intake in any focused question to admissions.

GCSE requirements are separate from the Access grade profile at many universities. Derby, Liverpool and Queen Mary publish Maths and English conditions, while Birmingham City University says its Business Management course does not require GCSE evidence. Never transfer a GCSE rule from one degree or intake to another.

Plan an application with Access to Business Studies

Explore the Access to Business Studies course and compare its pathways through the Access to Business course options. Then use the guide to applying to university with Access to HE to organise your choices and application.

The Access to HE UCAS points calculator can help you understand a credit profile, but it does not replace a university's stated requirements. For degree and career research, see careers in business and management, what you need for a business role and further information about business careers.

Related guides

Course Access to Business Studies Explore the online Access to HE route for business study. Course planning Access to Business course options Compare the available study options before choosing your route. UCAS planning Applying to university with Access to HE Prepare your application while you complete the Diploma. Careers Business and management careers Explore roles and possible next steps after business study.