Southern Area Access Validating Agency (SAava)


The Southern Area Access Validating Agency (SAava) (formerly HAVA) is licensed by the (Quality Assurance Agency) (QAA) to validate Access to HE Diploma programmes and is a member of the Federation of Independent Access Validating Agencies.

SAava is a non-profit making organisation which has specialised in the validation of Access to HE programmes for 25 years.  Current membership comprises 13 centres delivering Access to HE programmes and 6 HEIs across southern England.

The Access to Higher Education Diploma

The Access to Higher Education Diploma is a full level 3 QAA nationally recognised route into Higher Education offering a 'second chance' to learners who have not attained more traditional qualifications such as GCE A levels, and a significant number of learners entering HE now do so through Access programmes. 

Access programmes are often the most suitable route for those returning to education after a gap, perhaps due to family, financial, social or personal circumstances or who left education early.  Access students come from a broad age range, varied backgrounds, many different ethnic groups and are typically dedicated and hard-working, having made a conscious decision to return to education.  They have the advantage of life experiences and sometimes employment to draw upon, and are generally very well received by HEIs. 

Access continues to be one of the few areas of Adult Education which is supported by Government funding and is regarded as a critical part of Government's strategy for widening progression into HE. 19 to 24 year olds inclusive working for their first full Level 3 qualification are entitled to fee remission, as are those who do not already have a Level 2 qualification.  Access learners often benefit from Government funding according to their circumstances.  Only Access programmes which are validated by a QAA licensed Access Validation Agency (AVA) such as SAava are eligible for Skills Funding Agency (SFA formerly LSC) funding.

Qualifications required / age limit

Generally, no qualifications are required, although certain pathways may require GCSEs.  Entry onto a SAava Access programme is based on aptitude and commitment usually following a personal interview at which time the intended pathway and appropriate combination of subject modules are agreed.  There is no lower or upper age limit although colleges are only funded by Government for learners aged 19+.

SAava centres

SAava currently has 13 member centres delivering Access to HE Diploma programmes:

Brockenhurst College
Chichester College
Farnborough College of Technology
Isle of Wight College
Itchen College
Peter Symonds College
Portsmouth College
Queen Mary's College, Basingstoke
St Vincent College, Gosport
Swindon College
University of Portsmouth
Wiltshire College Chippenham & Trowbridge
Wiltshire College Salisbury

AND 6 member HEIs:

Royal Holloway, University of London
Southampton Solent University
University of Portsmouth
University of Reading
University of Southampton
University of Winchester

SAava centres have experienced a huge upsurge in applications for 2009-10 and despite a magnificent response from Access Coordinators and college management in providing extra modules and classes, most were unable to accommodate all candidates and now have waiting lists for next year.  We are therefore urgently seeking to increase our college membership and the number of programmes delivered by current centres.

All our centres have strong links with HEIs across southern England, not only those who are members of SAava, which result in commitment to, and support for, applications from successful SAava learners.  HEIs often recommend SAava Access programmes to potential learners needing qualifications to gain entry to HE and learners progress to a very wide range of Degree programmes both locally and nationally.

SAava is operated for its centres by its centres and all delivering centres are represented on the Management Operational Committee which ensures that Access tutors and managers are in a position to directly influence SAava decision and policy making.

There are no fees for membership, validation, periodic review, development work, consultancy, quality assurance, certification or late registration - only a £100 registration charge for students (£50 for part-time students in their second year).

Pathways to Higher Education

SAava centres currently deliver Access programmes which facilitate progression to: 

  • Business & Law
  • Creative Arts
  • Education
  • Health and Social Services
  • Humanities
  • Nursing and Midwifery
  • Physical and Natural Sciences
  • Social Sciences

SAava course structure

SAava learners are required to study four subjects drawn from a bank of subject modules, according to the rules of combination relating to the chosen pathway, and a generic learning skills unit.  Successful learners must achieve a total of 60 credits, a minimum of 45 of which must be at Level 3 with the remainder at Level 2.  All SAava units are also offered at Level 3 so learners do have the option to achieve all 60 credits at Level 3.

Learners who do not achieve the required credits will receive a transcript detailing the credits that have been attained.  In this way, learners may re-take any failed units or take new subject modules to build up credits to attain certification.

SAava's Access programmes enable learners to work at their own pace with some centres delivering programmes over 1 and 2 years during the daytime and evening.  Special timetabling often facilitates a later start and earlier finish to the day to take account of Access learners' particular commitments.  Centres also offer additional subjects such as GCSEs, IT, careers advice, learning and special needs support, finance and childcare support. 

The flexibility of the SAava rules of combination enables centres of offer up to seven different pathways to HE whilst delivering only five subjects.  For example the delivery of Biology or Human & Social Biology, English Studies or History or Law and Psychology and Sociology fulfils the requirements of all pathways except Creative Arts.

Fees

Fees for students vary from centre to centre.  Access learners are often eligible for Government funding dependent upon their personal circumstances.  Those aged 19-24 inclusive who are studying for their first Level 3 qualification or those who do not already have a Level 2 qualification are funded.  Bursaries may also be available. Prospective learners should contact the centre of their choice for details.

Other qualifications

Whilst we do specialise in the validation of the Access to HE Diploma we also validate other qualifications.  These are generally developed with providers in collaboration with HEIs to target a specific requirement.  For example:

Access to Study at Masters which is designed to support those intending to study for a Masters Degree and need to refresh their learning skills.

Proof of the pudding

The number of learners who enthuse that Access has truly changed their life; liberated them way beyond their expectations and enabled them to aspire to goals they never imagined possible can best demonstrate the success of SAava's Access to HE Diploma programmes. View our student comments.

For further information contact:

Barbara Gander
Senior Officer
Southern Area Access Validating Agency
University of Portsmouth
Winston Churchill Avenue
Portsmouth PO1 2UP

barbara.gander@port.ac.uk
Tel:  02392 843396