Environmental Science - Level 3 Access to Higher Education Diploma

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If you are aged 19 or over and want to study Environmental Science, Climate Science, Sustainability, Ecology or a related environmental discipline at university — but do not have the traditional qualifications — this Access to Higher Education Diploma is a supportive and effective route into higher education.

Accredited by OCN London, this Level 3 Diploma (60 credits) is widely recognised by universities across the UK and prepares adult learners with the scientific knowledge, environmental awareness and academic skills needed for degree-level study.

Delivered at Angel Campus (Capital City College), the course combines face-to-face laboratory and practical learning with online sessions, and provides a welcoming environment for adult returners. You will develop the skills to understand and analyse environmental challenges, while a personal tutor supports your progress and helps you prepare your UCAS application.

Did you know?
If you complete a university degree after your Access Diploma, your Advanced Learner Loan will be written off by Student Finance England.

You will explore core areas of environmental science, develop scientific research skills, and build the academic confidence needed for university study.

Core topics include:

· Environmental Biology & Ecology – biodiversity, ecosystems, environmental interactions, conservation

· Environmental Chemistry & Physics – pollution, climate systems, energy, environmental analysis, applied chemistry

· Sustainability & Climate Studies – climate change, environmental policy, global environmental issues

·

· Be aged 19 or older

· Have four GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above, including English and Maths

· Ideally have a GCSE in Science or equivalent

· Demonstrate motivation, interest in environmental issues, and preparedness for full-time study

· Attend an interview to confirm course suitability

We strongly welcome mature learners and those with non-traditional educational backgrounds.

Assessment is continuous throughout the year and includes:

· Written assignments and academic reports

· Lab and practical science tasks

· Project work

· Presentations

· Exams and timed assessments

All work is internally assessed by tutors and externally moderated by OCN London to ensure national quality standards. Independent study each week will be essential to support your progress and prepare you for university.

Fieldwork or practical-based activities may require basic equipment or small additional costs, depending on delivery.

Adults - Access to Higher Education

This course may be free if you meet certain conditions:

• If you are not working or have a low income. You need to show proof of your income or benefits.
• If you are aged 19-23 and you do not have a full Level 3 qualification (a full L3 is the equivalent of two A-levels at A* - E grade). You need to show us proof of any qualifications you already have.
• Residency rules apply. You need to show you have permission to live, work and study in the UK without conditions, and live in London If you live outside London, you need to pay fees.
• There are some exceptions, such as certain visa types.

Check here which documents you need to show us, and which visa types are allowed.

If you do not meet the residency rules, you can still enrol on the course but you may have to pay some fees. All applicants are fee-assessed during enrolment.

If you are not eligible for a free or reduced-cost course, you need to pay the full fee yourself, or apply for an Advanced Learner Loan.

If you have to pay for your course, and decide to apply for an Advanced Learner Loan (ALL), the residency rules are different: https://www.gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan.

Some courses have additional costs, such as for specialist materials and trips.

Many of our students are eligible for financial support. See here for details.

If you are aged between 18 and 25, you may not have to pay course fees.

You may need to apply for an Advanced Learner Loan.

Course fees can be discussed at the interview.

After completing the Access to HE Diploma (Environmental Science), you can apply for a wide range of degree programmes, including:

• BSc (Hons) Environmental Science
• BSc (Hons) Ecology
• BSc (Hons) Sustainability or Climate Science
• BSc (Hons) Environmental Biology
• BSc (Hons) Environmental Geography or Geoscience
• BSc (Hons) Marine Biology
• BSc (Hons) Wildlife Conservation
• Related STEM or earth science degrees

The course provides the scientific grounding, academic skills and environmental understanding needed to excel at university and pursue a career in the environmental sector.

The Access to Higher Education Diploma (Environmental Science) is a Level 3 qualification which prepares people without traditional qualifications for study at university.

The qualification gives you the relevant academic subject knowledge needed for higher education study and the opportunity to develop study skills to help you succeed. It is well established and widely accepted by universities, qualifying for UCAS tariff points that are comparable to the tariff points for three A Levels.

The Access to HE Diploma (Environmental Science) offers you returners a coherent, integrated, and supported year of study through which they will gain the knowledge, awareness, skills and confidence necessary for successful undergraduate studying in the intended progression routes for this Diploma.

The course aims to provide a balance of essential study skills with specialist subject knowledge to enable the students to be prepared for the academic and practical rigours of undergraduate study in Environmental Science. It must, however, be noted that the Access to HE Diploma does not provide guaranteed entry to UK Higher Education Institutions.

The primary aims are:

• To provide HE progression opportunities for adults who, because of social, educational or individual circumstances, do not have the necessary qualifications.
• To give learners a general introduction to the basic concepts, methods, and key areas of knowledge within the core disciplines taken and offer a coherent and stimulating framework within which they can broaden their intellectual outlook and make connections between subject areas.
• To help learners develop and consolidate the various skills required to enable them to cope successfully with the demands of undergraduate study and to become independent, self-directed learners.
• To establish a positive and supportive learning environment within which learners can build their confidence through successful learning and the sharing of their experiences.
• To provide the personal and educational support needed if learners are to pursue their aims within the framework of the course.

You will need:

• To be aged 19 or older
• GCSE English and Maths at grade 4 or above (or A*-C); however, you will be considered for the course if you have one GCSE at grade 4-9 in Maths or English, with the offer of GCSE classes in addition to the course
• Ideally, a GCSE in Science, or equivalent qualification

All applicants must have an interview to confirm that the course is suitable for them.

This course is assessed through coursework assignments, tests and examinations throughout the course, which are set and marked by your teachers and externally moderated by OCN London.

Assessment is continuous over the whole year and is based on several set pieces of work such as essays, projects, presentations and tests.

Adults - Access to Higher Education

This course may be free if you meet certain conditions:

• If you are not working or have a low income. You need to show proof of your income or benefits.
• If you are aged 19-23 and you do not have a full Level 3 qualification (a full L3 is the equivalent of two A-levels at A* - E grade). You need to show us proof of any qualifications you already have.
• Residency rules apply. You need to show you have permission to live, work and study in the UK without conditions, and live in London If you live outside London, you need to pay fees.
• There are some exceptions, such as certain visa types.

Check here which documents you need to show us, and which visa types are allowed.

If you do not meet the residency rules, you can still enrol on the course but you may have to pay some fees. All applicants are fee-assessed during enrolment.

If you are not eligible for a free or reduced-cost course, you need to pay the full fee yourself, or apply for an Advanced Learner Loan.

If you have to pay for your course, and decide to apply for an Advanced Learner Loan (ALL), the residency rules are different: https://www.gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan.

Some courses have additional costs, such as for specialist materials and trips.

Many of our students are eligible for financial support. See here for details.

If you are aged between 18 and 25, you may not have to pay course fees.

You may need to apply for an Advanced Learner Loan.

Course fees can be discussed at the interview.

Learners primarily progress to Higher Education study in areas related to Environmental Science. These may include some of the following areas of degree-level study:

• Conservation Science
• Ecology
• Environmental Biology
• Environmental Geography
• Environmental Geoscience
• Environmental Science
• Environmental Science and Management
• Geography
• Geology
• Global Development
• Marine Biology
• Wildlife Conservation
• and a wide range of combined and related degrees.