Access to Higher Education: Science
The Access to Higher Education: Science course is a level 3 course for adults wishing to progress to higher education. Completion of the course will allow adults to progress to a wide range of health and science themed higher education courses.
why choose this course?
The Access to HE Science Diploma is designed for adult learners aged 19 years and over and is nationally recognised as an alternative educational pathway into higher education. The majority of British universities recognise this qualification as excellent preparation for university and accept the Access to HE Diploma as an alternative to A Levels and other more traditional routes.
Learners will develop an understanding of key concepts in biology and chemistry to underpin their future studies. In addition, learners conduct extensive laboratory work and become adept at conducting practical work with precision and skill. A big emphasis is also placed on study skills and IT giving learners the tools to succeed at college and in a higher education setting.
Apply for this course
Start date: 18/09/2023
TOP COURSE HIGHLIGHTS
UCAS Support
Excellent Facilities
Outstanding Teaching
Supportive staff
Experienced tutors
You will be taught by staff with extensive experience who will advance your knowledge and skills to meet the expectations of higher education.
Specialist well-equipped laboratories
You will conduct extensive laboratory work and become adept at conducting practical work with precision and skill.
Excellent student support
During your tutorial programme, your tutor will help you to complete your UCAS application for the higher education course you wish to progress to. We also have a learning support team that can provide additional help with literacy, numeracy time management and organisational skills, and a student services team available for additional personal support.
what will i learn?
The Access to Higher Education: Science course is comprised of 60 credits worth of study at level 3 and is composed of units worth 3 or 6 credits each:
Graded Academic Subject Content (ASC) units:
Biology and Chemistry
We currently offer a science programme that includes 18 credits of biology and 18 credits of chemistry, which more than satisfies the requirements of many health and science themed higher education courses.
Practical Scientific Project
The science programme includes two 3 credit project units. Students undertake an independent practical project in a field in which they are interested. Students plan and implement a practical and write up a full scientific report. This is valuable preparation for studying in a higher education setting.
Maths
A 3 credit maths unit is included, which is of particular help to students when analysing the data generated from the project. In addition, maths and statistics modules are included in many health and science themed degrees in higher education.
Ungraded Academic Preparation Skills (APS) units:
HE Study Skills
The 6 credit study skills unit is a defining element of any Access course. Students gain vital skills to prepare for study at higher education. This includes notetaking, presentation skills, essay writing, referencing and support with writing a personal statement.
Scientific Lab Skills and Techniques
The 3 credit laboratory skills unit is taught at the beginning of the course in preparation for planning and implementation of the independent research project. Students use a wide range of equipment to develop manual dexterity and learn how to collect data with precision and skill. Students complete risk assessments to address the hazards and risks associated with laboratory work and learn how to use excel and online tools to construct tables and graphs and analyse data.
Examination Technique and Practice
The 3 credit examination technique and practice unit focuses on planning a revision timetable and effective revision techniques and evaluation skills. This is excellent preparation for completion of the closed book exams for some of the graded units on this course and prepares students for exams in higher education.
Information Technology
Whatever your level of confidence in IT, we will help you to develop your skills in word processing, presentation software and spreadsheets. Whilst this is not taught as a discrete subject, IT skills are embedded into the Access course. We have a large network of computers with internet access, an extensive eLibrary and a diverse range of software.
Where will it take me?
Progression: Upon successful completion of this course students can progress to a wide range of health and science themed higher education courses such as a degree or HNC/HND. Examples include Animal Behaviour, Biomedical Science, Biological and Medical Sciences, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Conservation and Ecology, Dietetics, Dental Therapy and Hygiene, Geology, Mining Engineering, Forensic Science, Marine Biology, Nutrition, Optometry, Paramedic Science, Pharmacology, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Radiography and Zoology.
Careers: This course is very much a steppingstone to higher education. Upon successful completion of this course many learners complete a higher education course that will allow them to enter into a specific career e.g. biomedical scientist, dietitian, radiographer, paramedic or mining engineer. However, some learners can study broader degree programmes and choose a career path later down the line or remain in academia to study a masters and/or PHD.
ASSESSMENT ARRANGEMENTS
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.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
We recommend that you have GCSE English and Maths at a minimum of grade 4/C before you commence the Access course. However, please contact us to discuss your prior qualifications and planned progression route and we would be happy to advise based on your particular set of circumstances. It is advisable to check the GCSE requirements for the higher education course you wish to complete following the Access course as they may have different stipulations.
If your qualifications were gained overseas you will need to confirm what your qualifications are equivalent to for the UK. The UK national agency for international qualifications and skills is the designated United Kingdom national agency for the recognition and comparison of international qualifications and skills. It performs this official function on behalf of the UK Government: https://www.enic.org.uk/
NB applicants are expected to undergo an interview and any offer will be subject to receiving a satisfactory reference.
Additional INFORMATION
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: Medicine 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:Â 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.
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Do you have a question that we haven't answered so far? Talk to our admissions team. We're here Monday-Friday 8.30am-4.30pm.
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