Access to HE Diploma (Science with Mathematics)

Key Facts

Level:
Level 3
Subject Sector:
2.1 Science
Credits:
60
Qualification No:
QAAQ002892
Price:
View price list
Age Range:
19+
QAA aim code:
40010508

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.

New suite of Access to HE Diplomas for August 2024

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

Qualification Summary

The Diploma allows learners to undertake study related to Science and Maths. Learners will have the opportunity to develop skills which will enable progression to a range of degree level programmes within the sector. Many learners join these types of degrees after following A level study, so the Diploma will place the Access to HE learners on a level with those who have followed A level studies.

Learners will complete mandatory units which cover fundamental physics and chemistry and cell biology and biochemistry unit alongside a mathematics for science unit to develop underpinning skills for the optional units. They will be able to research an area of interest to them in more depth. They will study a range of optional units covering physics, chemistry and biology units. A range of maths units are also available to include calculus, statistics, algebra and geometry.

Ungraded units include units which will support access to higher education whilst supporting academic study and personal skills.

Why choose this qualification?

The diploma allows learners to undertake study related to Science and Maths. Learners will have the opportunity to develop skills which will enable progression to a range of degree-level programmes within the sector. Many learners join these types of degrees after following A level study, so the diploma will place the Access to HE learners on a level with those who have followed A level studies.

Learners will complete mandatory units which cover fundamental physics and chemistry and cell biology and biochemistry unit alongside a mathematics for science unit to develop underpinning skills for the optional units. They will be able to research an area of interest to them in more depth. They will study a range of optional units covering physics, chemistry and biology units. A range of maths units are also available to include calculus, statistics, algebra and geometry.

Ungraded units include units which will support access to higher education whilst supporting academic study and personal skills.

Units

Mandatory Units: Graded Academic Subject Content

Learners must complete 21 credits from this group.

Cell Biology and Biochemistry

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU019000
Click here to view full unit details

Fundamental Chemistry

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU006301
Click here to view full unit details

Fundamental Physics: Theory

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU025282
Click here to view full unit details

Mathematics for Science

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU006176
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Graded Research Units

Learners may take a maximum of 6 credits from this group.

Research Skills for Science and Mathematics

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU028882
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Research: Extended Writing Project for Science

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU028879
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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
Optional Graded Academic Units: Mathematics

Learners must complete at least 6 credits from this group.

Algebra and Trigonometry

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU019995
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Calculus: Integration

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU007965
Click here to view full unit details

Geometry

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU017259
Click here to view full unit details

Mathematics: Algebra, Exponentials and Logarithms

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU007424
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Matrices

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU007941
Click here to view full unit details

Quantitative Methods - Statistics

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU007442
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Series

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU007957
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Optional Graded Academic Units: Science

Learners must complete at least 6 credits from this group.

Chemical Principles: Particles and Forces

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU025703
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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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Energetics, Kinetics, Equilibria

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU006259
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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

Human Cardiac and Respiratory Systems

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU018998
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Human Reproduction and Health Related Issues

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU025630
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Introduction to Organic Chemistry

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU006603
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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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Understanding Genetics

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU018996
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Ungraded Units

Learners must complete 9 credits from this group.

Practical Science Skills

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU010772
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Preparation for Higher Education

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU025532
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Writing reports

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU026155
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Optional Units: Ungraded

Learners must complete 6 credits from this group.

Application of Number - Interpreting and Presenting Information

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU007486
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Presenting Information Using ICT

Level:
Level 2
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU025450
Click here to view full unit details

Promoting Wellbeing and Building Resilience

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU028487
Click here to view full unit details

References and Reliability of Sources

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU026344
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Spreadsheets

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU011467
Click here to view full unit details

Sustainability Project

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU033854
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The Fundamentals of Environmental Sustainability

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU033880
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 knowledge will be acquired
which support an understanding of engineering skills, science related units and mathematics and
will ensure that the learner is fully prepared for progression onto the relevant degrees.

What this diploma covers

The units include a balance of 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. science, spreadsheets and computer data protection.<

Delivery methods

Face to face
Blended learning including online platforms such as Moodle or Pearl. It should be noted that if a student is interested in following a Biology pathway, they should
undertake the Quantitative Methods – Statistics unit from the mathematics optional group. If the
student is looking at a pathway to Chemistry or Physics, any of the other maths units are
applicable.

Successful completion criteria

Learners will probably require a pass in maths and English at GCSE level or a Functional Skills qualification in English and Maths to progress onto a degree course.

Progression routes

Learners may progress to the following:
Mathematics BSc (Hons)
Mathematics MMath (Hons)
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)
BSc (Hons) Forensic Science
BSc Biomedicine
BSc Biomedical Science
BSc Medical Biochemistry
BSc Biochemistry
BSc Genetics

Provider approval criteria

Resources and special requirements – access to a science laboratory for science units

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.

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