If you live in England, you might be able to do this course for FREE, see the ‘Additional Information’ section for more details.
Apply today and our team will confirm if you could qualify for a free place, with no obligation.
Are you interested in a rewarding career in science or education, yet worry that a lack of time could prevent you from taking that next step? If you are aged 19 or over, this course gives you a brand new, convenient, and affordable way to study for your qualification online. You will begin your journey towards a science-related profession.
This fully online course is the fast-track route to university you have always wanted. Get the skills and qualifications you need to progress to university starting on your way to your aspirational career.
An Access to HE Online Diploma in Science provides learners with a pathway to a variety of higher education degree courses including Biology, Chemistry, Biomedical Science, Marine Biology, Psychology, Nutrition and Dietetics, and Physiotherapy to name a few. You can also undertake further postgraduate qualifications to achieve Qualified Teacher Status.
Key programme features:
Access to Higher Education qualifications are nationally-recognised, one-year, intensive Level 3 courses. They are a fast-track route to gaining the skills and qualifications you need to study at university and begin the career you are dreaming of.
This online learning course means that you can study for a change of career, or a return to education, at times that suit you. It has also been specially designed for adult learners that are aged 19 or over, who do not currently meet the necessary entry requirements for a university course, or who have been out of education for some time.
The course is validated and moderated by Ascentis under license from the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education and comprises of 60 credits, of which 45 are graded and 15 are ungraded. You will study towards 3 credits in Preparing to Progress, 3 credits in academic writing, and 54 credits over the three subjects:Biology, Chemistry, and Psychology.
Benefits of studying with Activate Learning:
- Designed exclusively for adults (19+)
- Supportive environment provided through tutors with subject expertise
- Guidance webinars for every module
- Help and guidance on writing your personal statement and completing your UCAS application
- One-year programme equivalent to three A Levels, allowing you to achieve the qualification you need to enter university
- Flexible learning enabling you to study whilst working and around personal commitments
- Widely recognised and accepted qualification by UK universities
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.
What you'll learn
The main aim of this course is to prepare students for study at university. Students will receive subject-specific study skills preparation, as well as tuition in subjects that are relevant to their chosen degree course.
We would advise you to check with your chosen University to ensure they accept these units for your chosen course before you apply.
You will study modules in Study Skills, Biology, Chemistry Psychology. Credits are gained through the coursework.
How you'll learn and be assessed
Teaching will be delivered by way of self-directed learning with access to regular tutor support. Additional webinars and online forums for group discussions are also available throughout your studies. You will be assessed through coursework. All assessments are internally and externally verified through a rigorous and robust process to ensure all grading is consistent, and fair, and provides developmental feedback.
As well as developing subject knowledge, you will improve your communication, personal, and study skills, through a core programme that also provides one-to-one tutorial support.
One subject will be covered at a time and a tutor with specialist subject knowledge will be assigned to guide and support you on your learning journey. Although the workload of the course is intensive, it is structured in a way that recognises the pressures on adult learners. Many students successfully balance a healthy work/home life whilst studying the course.
Activate Learning has helped over 3,000 Access to HE students progress on to university. OFSTED rated us ‘good’ in December 2022, with many outstanding features for our Access programmes
Progression
An Access to HE Diploma will help you to progress to study at university. It will also help you improve your employment prospects. As well as developing subject knowledge, you will improve your communication, personal, and study skills through a core programme that also provides one-to-one tutorial support.
An Access to HE Diploma in Science provides learners with a pathway to a variety of higher education degree courses including Biology, Chemistry, Biomedical Science, Marine Biology, Psychology, Nutrition and Dietetics, and Physiotherapy, to name a few. You can also undertake further postgraduate qualifications to achieve Qualified Teacher Status.
Entry requirements
You must meet the following entry criteria:
- Aged 19+ at the start of the academic year.
- Living in the UK.
- Already hold a grade C/4 or above in GCSE maths and GCSE English Language or equivalent such as Functional Skills Level 2. If you hold international qualifications, we can assess these to see if you meet the criteria.
- Passing an entry assessment in maths and English.
*For your application to be processed, we are required to view your official certificates. These can be requested from the awarding body if you no longer have them.
You will be NOT be able to study maths and/or English GCSEs alongside this course.
Additional information
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.
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.
