Access to Higher Education Diploma (Science)

Key Facts

Level:
Level 3
Subject Sector:
2.1 Science
Credits:
60
Qualification No:
QAAQ004792
Price:
View price list
Age Range:
19+
QAA aim code:
40014952

Qualification Summary

The Diploma provides learners with a wide choice of units to support progression into Science degree programmes. The mandatory group ensures that learners have a good understanding of themes relevant to Science including key chemistry and biology concepts. Learners can select from a range of optional units linked to Science, with some variety of choice to include units which may be of specific interest if the learner has an interest in one of the three areas of science or developing maths skills to support progression into higher education. In addition to the graded units, learners must choose from a selection of mandatory and optional ungraded units to support underpinning skills both for work within the sector or for further academic study.

Why choose this qualification?

This Access to HE Diploma has been fully reviewed and revalidated for the 2024-25 academic year. Updated resources are also available to Gateway Qualifications recognised centres.

The Access to Higher Education (HE) Diploma is an academic qualification that is designed to prepare learners for study at degree level. The diploma is designed to give the learner the relevant academic subject knowledge and underpinning study skills required to progress onto a relevant degree programme.

As an Access Validating Agency (AVA), all of our Access to Higher Education (HE) Diplomas are compliant with Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) regulations.

Units

Graded Academic Subject Content Units

Learners must complete 45 credits from the Mandatory Units: Graded Academic Subject Content, Optional Units: Research Graded Academic Subject Content and Optional Units: Graded Academic Subject Content groups.

Mandatory Units: Graded Academic Subject Content

Learners must complete 9 credits from the mandatory graded units.

Chemical Basics and Atomic Structure

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034748
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Human Anatomy and Physiology

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU034782
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Optional Units: Research Graded Academic Subject Content

Learners must achieve 6 credits from this group.

Research: Extended Writing Project for Science

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU034830
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Research: Practical Investigation Project for Science

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU034832
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Optional Units: Graded Academic Subject Content

Learners must achieve 30 credits from this group.

An Introduction to Health and Disease

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034866
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Application of Nuclear Physics

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034868
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Calculus: Differentiation

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034570
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Calculus: Integration

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034568
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Chemical Bonding, Structure and Quantity

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034750
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Chemical Principles: Particles and Forces

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU034910
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Circulation, Immunity and Homeostasis

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034752
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Ecosystems and Human Influences

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU034872
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Energetics, Kinetics, Equilibria

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034874
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Fundamental Chemistry

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU034608
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Fundamental Concepts in Biology

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034768
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Fundamental Physics: Practical Investigation

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034770
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Fundamental Physics: Theory

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU035022
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Further Organic Chemistry

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU034772
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Genetics

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034776
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Health Physics

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU034778
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Heat, Electricity and Magnetism

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034780
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Human Cardiac and Respiratory Systems

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034784
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Human Systems - Reproduction, Growth and Development

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034786
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Introduction to Biology: Cells and Tissues

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034746
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Introduction to Organic Chemistry

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034794
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Mathematics: Algebra, Exponentials and Logarithms

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034812
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Physical Science: Environmental Health and Medical Physics

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034816
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Physics: Medical Applications for Radiography

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU034818
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Plant and Soil Science

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU034820
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Practical Chemical Analysis

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034822
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Quantitative Methods - Statistics

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034824
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Scientific Methods in Biology

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034836
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Sustainability and Waste Management

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034838
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The Endocrine System

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034846
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Ungraded Units

Learners must achieve 15 credits from the Mandatory Units: Ungraded and Optional Units: Ungraded groups.

Mandatory Units: Ungraded

Learners must achieve 6 credits from this group.

Mathematics for Science

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034862
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Preparation for Higher Education

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034710
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Optional Units: Ungraded

Learners must achieve 9 credits from this group.

Academic Writing Skills

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034692
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Application of Number - Interpreting and Presenting Information

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034694
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Communication - Speaking and Listening

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034696
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Computer Data Protection

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034700
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Developing Professional Attributes

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034702
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Inclusivity and Disability

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034704
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Mathematics - Calculations

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034706
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Optimising Examination Performance

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034708
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Presenting Information Using ICT

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034714
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Problem Solving in the Workplace

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034716
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Promoting Wellbeing and Building Resilience

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034720
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References and Reliability of Sources

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034722
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Spreadsheets

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034726
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Study Skills for Higher Education

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034730
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Sustainability Project

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034732
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The Fundamentals of Environmental Sustainability

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034734
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Writing Reports

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034736
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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 Higher Education
b) Adults who have gone straight into industry (perhaps following apprenticeship routes) who wish to progress to Higher Education.

How this diploma meets learners' needs

The diploma will address the learning needs of these target groups with underpinning skills to support academic study and provide a level 3 qualification linked to their proposed Higher Education study. A broad range of knowledge will be acquired which support an understanding of Science including topics related to biology, chemistry, physics and underpinning maths skills, ensuring that the learner is fully prepared for progression onto the relevant degrees.

What this diploma covers

Learners will complete a planned, balanced and coherent programme of study, through which they have been able to acquire subject knowledge and develop academic skills which are relevant to the intended progression route(s). The units include a balance of units which allow the learners to study a broad range of topics 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.

Delivery methods

Delivery methods for the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Science) can include:

Face to face
Blended learning

Learners studying the Further Organic Chemistry unit should complete the Introduction to Organic Chemistry unit first.

It is strongly recommended that providers develop a balanced programme which includes chemistry, biology and physics to support specific learner progression routes.

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.

Assessment Methods could include:

Practical/theoretical investigations, exams, scientific reports, written question and answer, case studies, presentation, academic poster, worksheets or essay, depending on the choice of units.

Progression routes

Following successful completion of the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Science) learners may progress to the following:
• BSc (Hons) Applied Physics
• BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences
• BSc (Hons) Biology
• BSc (Hons) Biomedical Sciences
• BSc (Hons) Bioscience
• BSc (Hons) Chemistry
• BSc (Hons) Dietetics
• BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science (Life Sciences)
• BSc (Hons) Molecular Biology
• BSc (Hons) Natural Sciences
• BSc (Hons) Nursing
• BSc (Hons) Nursing and Midwifery
• BSc (Hons) Nutrition
• BSc (Hons) Nutrition and Medical Sciences
• BSc (Hons) Physics
• BSc (Hons) Radiography
• HNC Applied Science (Biology)
• HNC Applied Science (Chemistry)
• HND in Applied Science
Learners may also be interested in progressing to one of the wide range of degree apprenticeships related to health and science such as:
• Biomedical scientist
• Clinical pharmacology scientist (integrated degree)
• Diagnostic radiographer (integrated degree)
• Hygiene specialist
• Environmental health practitioner (integrated degree)
• Oral health practitioner
• Physiotherapist
• Prosthetist and orthotist

Provider approval criteria

Access to a laboratory is vital to undertake this diploma. 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.

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

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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