LASER Access to HE Annual Conference
LASER Access to HE Annual Conference
Friday 2 May 2025, 10am -...
Changes to the LASER Access Framework
From 1 August 2024 the updated QAA Diploma Specification replaced the previous specification.
The key changes are:
A minimum of one unit of either 6 credits or 9 credits to be included in each Diploma (from graded or ungraded credit).
A maximum of 30 credits that can be made up of 6 or 9-credit units (offered as ungraded and/or graded credits provided the maximum of 30 credits is not exceeded).
The introduction of a Subject Descriptor for Nursing and Health Professions (available as a pilot for 2024 for implementation in 2025).
This introduction is coupled with a move from Grade Descriptors to a new system of Grading Standards.
The key changes for grading are:
There will be three Grading Standards which will be applied equally to all units and all assessments.
A grade can only be determined upon completion of all unit learning outcomes.
The changes are designed to ensure a greater parity of learning experience and equity of opportunity and achievement for students through standardisation of the Diploma Specification and Grading Scheme.
The full QAA Grading Standards Handbook can be found here.
LASER Access to HE Diploma Specification and Assessment Framework
The document below contains a summary of the Laser Learning Awards’ Access to HE Diploma Specification and Assessment Framework. This sets out the distinctive characteristics of Access Diplomas validated by Laser Learning Awards as an Access Validating Agency (AVA) licensed by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA).
Access to HE Diploma Titles
LASER centrally validates several core Diploma titles. Each Diploma Specification offers centres a ‘menu of choice’ from which to design their centre Rules of Combination. Click the title to go to the specification document.
Animal Management Business and Law Business Information Technology Business Studies Computing Counselling Creative Arts Creative Computing and Esports Creative Computing Criminology Digital Creative Industries Engineering Environmental Science Healthcare Professions Humanities and Social Sciences Humanities Medicine and Medical Sciences Medicine – QAA Subject Descriptor compliant Nursing – QAA Subject Descriptor compliant Osteopathic Sciences and Healthcare Psychology Science and Social Sciences Science Social Sciences Social Work Teaching and Education
LASER is committed to offering a wide range of titles, with new subjects in development. If you are interested in offering any of those listed or would be interested in developing a new subject area, please contact our Access Office on 01227 949817 for further information or email our Head of Access, Sue Watson at s.watson@laser-awards.org.uk
Pre-Access for Working in Health and Social Care Professions
If you would like to offer a Pre-Access programme that leads to a qualification and is eligible for public funding, click the button below for more details on the LASER Level 2 Certificate in Skills for Working in Health and Social Care Professions or contact us.
