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A Small Mark. A Big Future: New Campaign Aims to Raise Awareness of Access to Higher Education Diplomas

Every year, adults across the UK begin transformative journeys, returning to education, building confidence, and stepping into new careers. For many, the Access to Higher Education (HE) Diploma is the route that makes this possible: a nationally recognised one-year qualification designed to help adults progress to university, no matter their background. Yet thousands of potential learners - and even some educators -still don’t know this route exists. That’s why the Cambridge Access Validating Agency (CAVA) has launched Pass the Mark, a new initiative designed to spread the word and spark new opportunities. At the centre of the campaign is a simple object with a powerful purpose: a bookmark. Each bookmark features a QR code that links to clear, accessible information about Access to HE, how it works, and how to get started. People are encouraged to pass it on - to colleagues, students, friends, family members, or anyone who might benefit. “Access to HE made me feel like I was not only c...
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Celebrating Access to HE success: Nominations now open for the CAVA Awards 2025

We’re delighted to launch the CAVA Awards 2025, our annual celebration of the dedication, ambition, and achievements of Access to HE students and tutors. Recognising Student Excellence This year, tutors are invited to nominate students in the following two categories: Outstanding Academic Achievement Outstanding Commitment to Study These awards recognise students who have gone above and beyond-whether through academic excellence, determination, or personal growth during their Access to HE Diploma journey. Students are eligible for nomination if they are enrolled on an Access to HE course at the time of submission. Nominations must be submitted via the online nomination form by Monday 6 October 2025. To support tutors, we’ve also created a guidance document with helpful tips for completing the form.  Please note: You’ll need to obtain the student’s permission before submitting any personal details to CAVA, and students must also complete a separate consent form confirming they’re ha...
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Reflections on moving from HE to Access: Graeme Naylor, CAVA Director of Quality and Development

I joined CAVA in October 2024, after spending nearly twenty years working in a variety of more traditional and post-1992 public higher education institutions in England, as well as a private college. All of my working life until now has been spent in higher education. I have often worked alongside colleagues in further education institutions, mainly through longstanding partnerships, so I have long been aware of the sector, its positives and the challenges it faces. I also have experience of providing quality assurance advice, guidance and regulatory support to colleagues and students involved in Level 3 provision in universities. This last point in particular makes the move into Access to HE an interesting challenge.  I was attracted to the role at CAVA as I feel very much aligned to  CAVA's values, aims and mission . The themes of continuous improvement, integrity, transparency, inclusivity and acting as critical friends to colleagues in the sector all cut across the work I ...
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The Lifelong Learning Revolution: A Thought Piece

CAVA staff were pleased to be part of an international audience of over 900 people who attended the QAA online Conference ‘High Quality Life-long Learning for All’ in September 2024. The event featured a diverse lineup of speakers, including university faculty, media representatives and a fireside chat with Professor Dame Alison Wolf, Baroness Wolf of Dulwich, a key figure in the implementation of the 2023 Lifelong Learning Act. The conference focused on the impact of the  Lifelong Learning Entitlement  which comes into effect from September 2025. The QAA Conference highlighted the transformative potential of the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) in reshaping the landscape of education and training in the UK. As the LLE approaches implementation, it's important for FE and HE providers to understand its implications and prepare accordingly. The LLE presents an opportunity to rethink traditional educational approaches. Instead of focusing solely on pre-career learning, institu...
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