02 Mar 2021
Key Facts
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
Learners must complete 6 credits from this group.
Research: Extended Writing Project for Science
Research: Practical Investigation Project for Science
Learners must complete 18 credits from this group.
Fundamental Chemistry
Fundamental Physics: Theory
Human Anatomy and Physiology
Learners must complete 6 credits from this group.
An Introduction to Health and Disease
Cells and Tissues
Circulation, Immunity and Homeostasis
Ecosystems and Human Influences
Fundamental Concepts and Scientific Method in Biology
Human Cardiac and Respiratory Systems
Human Systems - Reproduction, Growth and Development
Plant and Soil Science
Sustainability and Waste Management
The Blood
The Endocrine System
Learners must complete 6 credits from this group.
Chemical Basics and Atomic Structure
Chemical Principles: Particles and Forces
Further Organic Chemistry
Introduction to Organic Chemistry
Practical Chemical Analysis
Learners must complete 3 credits from this group.
Mathematics for Science
Mathematics: Algebra, Exponentials and Logarithms
Quantitative Methods - Statistics
Learners must complete 6 credits from this group.
Application of Nuclear Physics
Energetics, Kinetics, Equilibria
Fundamental Physics: Practical Investigation
Health Physics
Physical Science - Environmental Health and Medical Physics
Physics: Medical Applications for Radiography
Learners must complete a total of 15 credits with 9 credits from the Mandatory ungraded group and 6 credits from the Optional Ungraded group.
Learners must complete 9 credits from this group.
Academic Writing Skills
Preparation for Higher Education
Study Skills
Learners must complete 6 credits from this group.
Academic Reading Skills
Application of Number - Interpreting and Presenting Information
Communication - Speaking and Listening
Mathematics for Science
Optimising Examination Performance
Practical Science Skills
Presentation Skills
Presenting Information Using ICT
Promoting Wellbeing and Building Resilience
Spreadsheets
Work Placement
Writing reports
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
Learning Aims Search
The Hub provides a Learning Aims Search which you can use to check the funding status of any qualification or unit.
View this qualification on the ESFA’s Hub website
From 1st July 2021, the Hub will be replaced by a new Find a learning aim (FALA) service. This service is currently in BETA so if you experience any issues with finding funding details, please double check on the Hub above, or contact your account manager.
View this qualification on the ESFA’s Find a learning aim website
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.
Information for Access Centres
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: