Access to HE Diploma (Science)

Key Facts

Level:
Level 3
Subject Sector:
2.1 Science
Credits:
60
Qualification No:
QAAQ002496
Price:
View price list
Age Range:
19+
QAA aim code:
40008423

New suite of Access to HE Diplomas for August 2024

Our brand new suite of Access to HE Diplomas is available for delivery from 1st August 2024.

Access to HE Diploma (Science) Overview

Changes to Access to HE confirmed by QAA: Diploma Specification and Grading Scheme

Qualification Summary

The Diploma covers all three sciences and learners will have the opportunity to study all three subjects equally to give a balanced view of skills to enable progression to science based degree programmes. The mandatory group ensures that learners have the fundamental understanding of biology, chemistry and physics and then learners can select from a range of optional units. All learners must also complete a mathematics unit chosen to underpin skills required to progress further.

Learners must choose from a selection of mandatory and optional ungraded units to support underpinning skills.

The units include a balance of science units which allow the learners to keep their options open until they have fully decided on their preferred route at degree level.

The ungraded units have been chosen to support both progression into higher education and also to allow the learners to develop skills relevant to the subject area e.g. practical science skills and problem solving.

Why choose this qualification?

The Diploma covers all three sciences and learners will have the opportunity to study all three subjects equally to give a balanced view of skills to enable progression to science-based degree programmes. The mandatory group ensures that learners have the fundamental understanding of biology, chemistry and physics and then learners can select from a range of optional units. All learners must also complete a mathematics unit chosen to underpin the skills required to progress further.

Learners must choose from a selection of mandatory and optional ungraded units to support underpinning skills.

The units include a balance of science units which allow the learners to keep their options open until they have fully decided on their preferred route at degree level. The ungraded units have been chosen to support both progression into higher education and also to allow the learners to develop skills relevant to the subject area e.g. practical science skills and problem-solving.

Rules of Combination

Learners must complete 18 Credits from the Mandatory Graded Units group, 6 Credits from the Optional Graded Units: Research group, 6 credits from each of the the Optional Graded Units: Chemistry group, Biology group, Physics group and 3 credits from the Mathematics group.

Units

Graded Research Units

Learners must complete 6 credits from this group.

Research: Extended Writing Project for Science

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU026081
Click here to view full unit details

Research: Practical Investigation Project for Science

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU026078
Click here to view full unit details
Mandatory Units: Graded Academic Subject Content

Learners must complete 18 credits from this group.

Fundamental Chemistry

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU006301
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Fundamental Physics: Theory

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU025282
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Human Anatomy and Physiology

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU006413
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Optional Graded Academic Units: Biology

Learners must complete 6 credits from this group.

An Introduction to Health and Disease

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU018205
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Cells and Tissues

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU025366
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Circulation, Immunity and Homeostasis

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU006178
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Ecosystems and Human Influences

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU025851
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Fundamental Concepts and Scientific Method in Biology

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU006307
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Human Cardiac and Respiratory Systems

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU018998
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Human Systems - Reproduction, Growth and Development

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU006477
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Plant and Soil Science

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU019880
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Sustainability and Waste Management

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU024478
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The Blood

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU014056
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The Endocrine System

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU017109
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Optional Graded Academic Units: Chemistry

Learners must complete 6 credits from this group.

Chemical Basics and Atomic Structure

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU006146
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Chemical Principles: Particles and Forces

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU025703
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Further Organic Chemistry

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU007822
Click here to view full unit details

Introduction to Organic Chemistry

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU006603
Click here to view full unit details

Practical Chemical Analysis

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU019014
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Optional Graded Academic Units: Mathematics

Learners must complete 3 credits from this group.

Mathematics for Science

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU006176
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Mathematics: Algebra, Exponentials and Logarithms

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU007424
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Quantitative Methods - Statistics

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU007442
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Optional Graded Academic Units: Physics

Learners must complete 6 credits from this group.

Application of Nuclear Physics

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU006078
Click here to view full unit details

Energetics, Kinetics, Equilibria

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU006259
Click here to view full unit details

Fundamental Physics: Practical Investigation

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU025284
Click here to view full unit details

Health Physics

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU006383
Click here to view full unit details

Physical Science - Environmental Health and Medical Physics

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU025706
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Physics: Medical Applications for Radiography

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU026260
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Ungraded Units

Learners must complete a total of 15 credits with 9 credits from the Mandatory ungraded group and 6 credits from the Optional Ungraded group.

Mandatory Units: Ungraded

Learners must complete 9 credits from this group.

Academic Writing Skills

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU025276
Click here to view full unit details

Preparation for Higher Education

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU025532
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Study Skills

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU018318
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Optional Units: Ungraded

Learners must complete 6 credits from this group.

Academic Reading Skills

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU018346
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Application of Number - Interpreting and Presenting Information

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU007486
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Communication - Speaking and Listening

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU007560
Click here to view full unit details

Mathematics for Science

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU013859
Click here to view full unit details

Optimising Examination Performance

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU025280
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Practical Science Skills

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU010772
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Presentation Skills

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU018352
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Presenting Information Using ICT

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU027084
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Promoting Wellbeing and Building Resilience

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU028487
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Spreadsheets

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU011467
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Sustainability Project

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU033854
Click here to view full unit details

The Fundamentals of Environmental Sustainability

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU033880
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Work Placement

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU025609
Click here to view full unit details

Writing reports

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU026155
Click here to view full unit details

Intended learner groups

a) Adults who, because of social, educational or individual circumstances may have achieved few, if any, prior qualifications and wish to progress to HE
b) Adults who have gone straight into industry (perhaps following apprenticeship routes) who wish to progress to HE.

How this diploma meets learners' needs

The Diploma will provide them with underpinning skills to support academic study and provide a level 3 qualification linked to their proposed HE study. A broad range of scientific skills will be acquired, whilst the underpinning mathematical skills will ensure that the learner is fully prepared for progression onto relevant degrees.

What this diploma covers

The units include a balance of science units which allow the learners to keep their options open until they have fully decided on their preferred route at degree level. The ungraded units have been chosen to support both progression into higher education and also to allow the learners to develop skills relevant to the subject area e.g. practical science skills and problem solving.

Delivery methods

Face to face
Blended learning
Work placements would also be beneficial and access to laboratories will be required to produce the evidence for some of the more practical based units. It is recommended that the Introduction to Organic Chemistry and Further Organic Chemistry are delivered together. The Further Organic Chemistry unit should not be delivered unless the introductory unit has been delivered. Assessment methods should include: Written questions and answer, scientific reports, investigations, exam, risk assessment, projects, worksheets, case studies, annotated diagram, presentation, poster.

Progression routes

Progression routes are into a range of science based degrees including:
• Biological Sciences BSc (Hons)
• Healthcare Science (Life Sciences) BSc (Hons)
• Biology BSc (Hons)
• Molecular Biology BSc (Hons)
• Bioscience BSc (Hons)
• Chemistry BSc (Hons)
• Natural Sciences BSc (Hons)
• Applied Physics BSc (Hons)
• Physics BSc (Hons)

Provider approval criteria

Access to a laboratory is vital to undertake this diploma.

Funding information

There are now two main sources for funding information, a straightforward ESFA Qualification Search and the more detailed Find a Learning Aim website.

The new Find a learning aim (FALA) service provides a search tool that you can use to check the funding status of any qualification, framework, unit, standard or T Level:

View this qualification on the ESFA’s Find a learning aim website

The Education and Skills Funding Agency search provides funding information on qualifications. It does not provide funding information for units, non-regulated activity and work placements, for this information please use Find a learning aim (FALA).

View this qualification on the ESFA Qualification Funding Search

How to find a learning aim

If you’re not sure how to use the new find a learning aim website, we’ve created a handy walkthrough to help you:

How to Use: Find a learning Aim

Additional funding information for Access to HE

  • Access to HE is eligible for funding as part of the legal entitlement offer.
  • Access to HE is eligible for funding via Advanced Learner Loans and appears on the Advanced Learner Loans catalogues published by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA).
  • Access to HE Diplomas are designed for adult learners aged 19+ and the ESFA only funds young people on these programmes by exception, as stated in paragraph 149, page 39 of the Funding guidance for young people 2020 to 2021.

We have done our best to collate and summarise the key information, and wherever possible we alert our providers to changes in funding policy.

This funding information is provided in good faith and it is always advisable to check directly with the funding agencies before committing to delivery.

The following support materials will help you deliver this qualification.

Access to HE Quick Guides

Information for Access Centres

Access to HE Administration

Assignment briefs

Centres approved to deliver our Access to HE Diplomas can download assignment briefs for a selection of units in this Diploma. Assignment briefs can be downloaded by logging to Prism and locating the relevant unit. More assignment briefs are being added not all units currently have assignment briefs available.

The assignment briefs can be easily adapted to suit your needs. We recommend checking the rules of combination for the Diploma and adapting the brief accordingly.

To provide a flavour of what’s available, you can download the below samples for free:

Log in to Prism to download more assignment briefs

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