fbpx

Access to HE Diploma (Science)

On the Access to Higher Education Science pathway you will study chemistry, human biology and psychology.

If you live in England, you might be able to do this course for FREE, see ‘Additional Information’ tab for more details.
Apply today and our team will confirm if you could qualify for free place, with no obligation. 

An Access course is for mature students (19+) who have been out of full-time education for one or more years and would like to go on to higher education but do not have the formal qualifications needed.

On the Access to HE Diploma (Science) pathway you will gain scientific knowledge of a wide range of areas including: the main body system; cell division and genetics; the nervous system; disease and immunity.

Your psychology studies will look at human behaviour and let you experience.

Benefits of studying with Activate Learning:

  • Designed exclusively for adults (19+)
  • Supportive environment provided through tutors with subject expertise and includes guidance webinars for every module.
  • One year programme equivalent to three A Levels, allowing you to achieve the qualification you need to progress to university.
  • Widely recognised and accepted qualification by UK universities. This is validated and moderated by Ascentis under licence from the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education
  • Help and guidance on writing your personal statement and completing your UCAS application
  • Flexible learning enabling you to study whilst working and personal commitments
  • Funding with the Advanced Learner Loan available.

Course Fees £3384 

Remember: if you go to university and complete a degree, the loan for your Access course is written off by the Government.

The Science pathway involves studying chemistry, human biology and psychology. Chemistry provides a general introduction to the three classical branches: physical, inorganic and organic chemistry.

Human biology starts with a general overview of the main body systems, followed by the studying of cell division and genetics, reproductive and nervous systems and homeostatic mechanism regulated by the endocrine system.

You will also examine some of the theories and methods in psychology and explore human behaviour. In addition to subject knowledge the course can help boost your communication and study skills.

There will also be the opportunity to gain GCSE maths and English as part of your programme.

Your studying will involve a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops, tutorials, research projects, and laboratory practicals.

In the case of psychology, credits are gained for a variety of tasks such as essays, reports, oral presentations and timed assessments.

Assessment on this programme is through a combination of exams (approximately 30%) and coursework (approximately 70%).

Assessments are a mixture of:

  • essays
  • structured questions
  • projects
  • presentations
  • examinations

Although there are no formal entry requirements for this course*, for university, you will need to have a GCSE at grade 4 (C) or above in both English and maths, or a Functional Skills Level 2 qualification.

*The Engineering and some Science pathways do require you to already have achieved a grade 4 (C) in Maths. These pathways will also require an additional entrance assessment which will be held on campus.

It is advisable that you have these qualifications prior to starting your Access level 3 course as the skills you will have gained from studying these qualifications will really help you on this programme.

*Please note: If you wish to go on to study a medicine degree, most universities require five GCSEs, including English, maths, and science at grades 7–9 (A–A* equivalent).

Applicants must be aged over 19

Applicants must have been out of full-time education for one year

Applicants are advised to contact their university of choice to confirm the criteria

Some degrees require that you have some relevant paid or voluntary work experience

You will have a numeracy and literacy assessment to check your suitability to study at Level 3 and may have the opportunity to re-take either a maths or English GCSE alongside this course*

*Please note, it will not be possible to resit both English and maths GCSE alongside an Access to HE programme

If you don’t meet the entry criteria, don’t worry! Some campuses offer a Pre-Access course to get you ready, or our part time GCSE maths and English classes, available at all sites, could support you to readiness for an Access to HE programme.

There is also a wide range of support available at the college for students, including financial support.

Funding Options:

To be eligible for funding, you will need to live in England. Anyone in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland will need to self-fund the course.

Level 3 Entitlement fee remission: If you are aged 19-23 and do not hold a prior full Level 3 qualification, you may be eligible to study the course for free. This would also depend on your location within the UK, but we would check this for you during your application process.

19+ Advanced Learner Loan:If you are aged over 23, or you are 19-23 with a full Level 3 qualification, you can fund the course with the Advanced Learner Loan supplied by Student Finance England. This loan will be wiped from your records if you progress to university and complete your studies! If you do not progress to university or a higher education course, you will not need to start paying back the loan until you earn over £25,725.00. 

Nursing Bursary for those going on to degree-level courses:Nursing students starting university will benefit from guaranteed, additional support of at least £5,000 a year to help with living costs. The funding will be given to all new and continuing degree-level nursing, midwifery and many allied health students from September 2020. Read more about how it is expected to benefit more than 35,000 students every year.

Remember: If you go on to study at university and complete a degree, the loan for your Access course is written off by the government.

Why Reading College?

  • Clear routes of progression with qualifications ranging from foundation level to degree level!
  • Industry experienced teaching staff give you the responsibility and independence you need to take charge of your own future.
  • 150+

    courses available

  • 95%

    of our graduates go into work or higher education

  • 65+

    years of teaching experience

View our facilities