Science - Level 3 Access to Higher Education Diploma

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If you are aged 19 or over and want to study science at university — but do not have the traditional qualifications — this Access to Higher Education Diploma offers a clear and supportive route back into education.

Accredited by OCN London, this Level 3 qualification is worth 60 credits and is widely recognised by universities as an alternative to A Levels. It provides the academic grounding, laboratory skills and confidence needed to progress to a broad range of STEM degrees, including biology, chemistry, physics, biomedical science and environmental science.

Delivered at Angel Campus (Capital City College) by specialist science tutors, the course combines face-to-face practical lessons in our laboratories with online learning, making it suitable for adults returning to study. You will also receive personalised guidance from a dedicated tutor to support your UCAS application and help you prepare for higher education.

Did you know?
If you complete a university degree after your Access to HE Diploma, Student Finance England will write off your Advanced Learner Loan.

You will study a blend of biology, chemistry, physics and applied scientific skills, with a strong emphasis on preparing you for degree-level science study.

Core topics include:

· Biology – cells, tissues, blood, cardiovascular system, musculoskeletal system, human physiology

· Chemistry & Physics – atomic physics, chemical kinetics, bonding, energetics, waves, particles and formulae

· Scientific Skills – lab work, data handling, analysis, scientific communication, medical imaging

· Mathematics for Science – algebra, numerical methods, handling scientific and experimental data

· Academic Preparation for HE – essay and report writing, research skills, sourcing information, presentation skills

· Be aged 19 or older

· Have GCSE English and Maths at grade 4 (C) or above, or equivalent Level 2 qualifications

· Ideally have some prior science study or interest (GCSE Science desirable)

· Attend an interview to confirm the course is suitable

· Show motivation, commitment and readiness for full-time study

We welcome mature learners with non-traditional academic backgrounds who can demonstrate curiosity and enthusiasm for studying science.

Assessment is continuous throughout the year and includes:

· Laboratory practical tasks and experiments

· Written assignments and scientific reports

· Presentations

· Exams and timed tests

Work is internally assessed by your tutors and externally moderated by OCN London. Independent study is essential each week to support your learning and prepare you for university-level science.

You will need access to basic study materials such as textbooks, a scientific calculator, and, where required, simple lab equipment.

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 19-24 and this is your first Level 3 course, you may be eligible for free tuition.

If you are 24 years or older, you will need to apply for an Advanced Learner Loan. Student Finance England will ‘write off’ any outstanding Advanced Learner Loan balances you owe for an Access to HE course once you complete a higher education course. This means you do not have to repay it if you complete your University degree course.

On successful completion of the Access to HE Diploma (Science), you will be able to apply for a wide range of degree programmes, including:

·       BSc (Hons) Biology, Chemistry or Physics

·       BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science

·       BSc (Hons) Environmental Science

·       BSc (Hons) Human Biology or related STEM degrees

This course provides the strong scientific foundation and academic preparation required to be a competitive applicant for STEM pathways at university.

If you would like to study science at university but left school without the qualifications you need, then this Access to HE course could be for you. Each year, over 20,000 Access to HE students apply for a degree course at a UK university; if you go on to complete a relevant degree at university, your Advanced Learner Loan will be written off by Student Finance England.

This course will help you get the qualifications you need to study science, or a related course, at university. You will learn study skills such as note-taking, essay writing, reading and research, preparation for exams and oral presentation.

You will be supported throughout the course by a personal tutor who will also give you guidance in applying for Higher Education courses.

Topics covered can include:

Biology

• The blood
• The cardiovascular system
• The musculoskeletal system
• Human tissues and systems
• Cells

Physics

• Atomic physics
• Chemical kinetics
• Matter: particles and formulae
• Waves

Other

• Report writing
• Medical imaging
• Algebra
• Handling scientific data
• Individual scientific research

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 A*-C in Maths or English with the offer of GCSE classes in addition to the course

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 a number of 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 19-24 and this is your first Level 3 course, you may be eligible for free tuition.

If you are 24 years or older, you will need to apply for an Advanced Learner Loan. Student Finance England will ‘write off’ any outstanding Advanced Learner Loan balances you owe for an Access to HE course once you complete a higher education course. This means you do not have to repay it if you complete your University degree course.

Once you have completed your Access to HE course, you can progress to a Higher Education degree at a university or college. 

You should check requirements for specific degree courses - different Higher Education institutions may have different entry requirements for similar courses.