Access to Higher Education: Medicine

The Credit System – The course is credit based. For this particular diploma, most units are three credit units and some are six credits units. Students are required to gain 60 credits in total. 45 credits must be achieved at level 3 from Academic Subject Content (ASC) units, the remaining 15 credits at level 3 come from Academic Preparation Skills (APS) units. Credits are achieved by completing coursework and in some instances timed constrained closed book exams.

The Grading System – The Access to HE Diploma has a grading system. All level 3 credits gained from ASC units are awarded a pass, merit or distinction grade based on the learner’s knowledge and skills, and the quality of the work. Universities usually make offers to Access students that require students to gain a certain number of credits at merit or distinction level, and will stipulate which subjects these credits must be achieved in.

Assessment Method – The majority of the course is assessed through completion of timed closed book examinations. Assignments will also be set throughout the course e.g. an essay, presentation or practical report

You must be aged 19 years or over and you will need 5 GCSEs at Grade 4 (C) or above, including English, Maths (higher tier) and Science (double or single) at Grade 6 (B). If you have a Grade 4 (C) in GCSE English and/or Maths, you may be required to retake and achieve a higher grade.

Some medical schools stipulate all GCSE grades must have been achieved in one sitting, therefore resisting GCSEs could impact consideration of your application. Please confirm the GCSE requirements directly with each medical school.

If you have completed a level 3 course (e.g. A Levels or Baccalaureates) within the last three years, your application may not be considered by some medical schools, as they may stipulate that a gap of 3 to 5 years is necessary.

If you have A Levels, medical schools may stipulate you need BBB. Applicants who have previously studied A Levels and received grades below a C will need to check whether this impacts their consideration by the medical schools.

Please be aware, the Medical School Council has advised that Access to HE Medicine courses should not be a substitute for underperforming at A Levels, particularly in science subjects. If you have underperformed in biology and/or chemistry when completing A Levels or the IB you cannot directly progress to the Access to HE Medicine course. However, if you have had a gap of 3 to 5 years since completing A Levels or IB you should contact the medical school to confirm the Access to HE Medicine qualification will be acceptable as a substitute.

If you already hold a degree, then acceptance will be dependent on degree classification. Medical schools do not usually consider applications from students with a recent degree below grade 2:1.

Applicants will be expected to provide evidence of work experience, ideally in health care, and must also be willing to undertake this alongside the Access course. There are several online work experience opportunities, more information is available on the Medical Schools Council website.

These virtual courses have been recognised by medical schools as a suitable element of relevant experience to help prepare an application to medicine.

• BSMS Virtual Work Experience
• Observe GP Virtual Work Experience

Applicants should use the ‘Medical Schools Council’ and ‘General Medical Council’ websites to thoroughly research the profession.

NB You must consult medical schools to confirm the nature and duration of the required work experience.

If you are an overseas student with non-UK qualifications, you must ensure that these are equivalent to the UK qualifications mentioned above and you will need to provide a NARIC statement of comparability as evidence. If English is not your first language, we will require you to have an IELTS score of 6 (or equivalent) to join the course. You should also check the requirements of individual university medical schools – some require an IELTS score of 7.

Entrance Exams – you may have to complete the BMAT (https://www.admissionstesting.org/for-test-takers/bmat/ ) or UKCAT (https://www.ucat.ac.uk/about-us/ ) for some medical schools. Please ensure these exams are completed before you start the Diploma. Acceptance onto the Access Medicine Diploma will be dependent on achieving a UCAT and/or BMAT score that is acceptable to medical schools.

It is an applicant’s responsibility to contact medical schools directly to ascertain the entry requirements and additional stipulations that could impact consideration.

NB applicants are expected to undergo an interview and participate in a three-day induction prior to starting the course. This helps us to assess your academic ability before we prepare your UCAS reference. During the induction you will take part in a series of biology, chemistry and physics lessons, along with a study skills and medics academy session. You will complete a closed book test for biology, chemistry and physics on the final day. Acceptance on to the Access Medicine Diploma course will be dependent on prior qualifications, performance during induction, the UCAT and /or BMAT score and receipt of a satisfactory reference.

NB completion of the Access to HE Medicine Diploma does not guarantee an invite for interview or an offer for undergraduate medicine.

The closing date for Access to HE Medicine applications is the end of May so that applicants can attend the compulsory three day induction in June. On the final day of the induction, applicants will sit an induction assessment for biology, chemistry and physics. Performance will be used to consider suitability for the Access to HE Medicine Diploma. Applicants must complete the UCAT or BMAT prior to starting the Access to HE Medicine Diploma and achieve a score acceptable for entry to medical school.

This course duration is 30 weeks starting in September and finishing at the end of May. Taught hours are approximately 15 hours per week, plus 1.5 hours of tutor. Lectures are taught over 3 days per week. The College day typically starts at 9.15am and ends at 4.15pm.

You may also be interested in the Access to HE: Science or Nursing and Human Sciences. If you need help deciding which Access course is the most appropriate for your planned progression route, please do get in touch.

Awarding Body: CAVA

FUNDING

If you are aged 19 or over, you may be eligible for an Advanced Learner Loan to cover your course fees. For further information please visit our Funding and Finance page here.