Access to HE Diploma (Sciences) - Level 3
Overview
Could you see yourself as a physiotherapist, nutritionist, dietician, research scientist or biochemist?
If so, our Access to HE Diploma (Science) course is for you. This course is specifically designed for adults (19+) who have been out of education for some time and want to re-engage with education or make a career change.
You can prepare by reading around your subject via our booklist and purchase recommended items from our kit list, you can find these here. Please be aware that as an Access learner you might be eligible to receive a college laptop for you to use for the duration of your course.
Once you’ve finished your Access to HE course, you may choose to stay and study a foundation degree in Sport and Exercise Science at the NTU Mansfield Centre on our Derby Road campus, which is run by Nottingham Trent University.
Don't let paying for this course hold you back from achieving your goals. There are different funding routes available for adult learners. Dependent on your personal circumstances, you may be eligible to:
Did you know? If you successfully go on to complete a Higher Education qualification following an Access to HE diploma course, you won’t have to pay your Advanced Learner Loan back at all.
Get in touch to find out more.
The awarding body for this course is CAVA, click the link to find out more.
Giving you flexibility to manage your life and studies
We offer two options to complete your course because we realise that we all have different lives with varied work and family commitments.
The main focus is on blended learning, supported by online resources.
One-year | Full-time
Attend college for two full-days per week (usually 9am-4.30pm) and a half-day online session per week (at a time that suits you).
Two-years | Part-time
Attend college for one full-day per week (usually 9am-4.30pm).
IMPORTANT - If you don't meet the entry requirements listed below, you will be required to complete a short diagnostic assessment for each GCSE that you require. You can study for your GCSE(s) alongside your part-time Access to HE Diploma course and you will attend college for one half-day per week for each GCSE required.
You are also required to allocate time to undertake self-study each week; 8 hours is a standard recommendation.
On successful completion of the course you will be awarded an Access to HE Diploma. Cambridge Access Validating Agency (CAVA) designs and validates Access to HE Diplomas. To find out more visit www.cava.ac.uk
View FAQs about Access to University Courses
Start dates and fees
| Start Date | Part/Full-time | Code | Fee | Actions |
| 01/09/2025 | FT | 1054A1002 | FREE* to £3384.00 | Apply |
| 01/09/2025 | PT | 1054A1325 | FREE* to £3384.00 | Apply |
* If you are aged 19-23 and studying your first Level 3 course then that course may be free. Please contact us for more details. If you are aged 19 or over and either studying a second Level 3 course or qualifying Level 4, 5 or 6 course you may be able to apply for an Advanced Learner Loan to cover the costs.
What will I study?
It is possible to study two pathways within the Access to HE Diploma (Sciences) course - one which focuses on biology and another which will focus on chemistry. Both the chemical and biological sciences pathways contain a significant portion of hands on, practical science. General areas covered on both pathways are:
- Study skills
- Practical, scientific individual research project
- General biology
- Human biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
Entry requirements
Full-time
- A minimum of two GCSEs at grade 4-9 in English Language and Maths.
Part-time
- *A minimum of two GCSEs at grade 4-9 in English Language and Maths.
*Don't have the required GCSEs to study the part-time course?
If you don’t have GCSEs at grade 4-9 in English Language and/or Maths, you will be required to complete a short diagnostic assessment for each GCSE you require.
You will then study the GCSE course(s) alongside your part-time Access to HE Diploma course.
This course is eligible for an Advanced Learner Loan
The Advanced Learner Loan is a new scheme introduced by the government to help mature learners study for qualifications that will improve their employability and develop high level skills and knowledge.
Loans are specifically designed for those aged 19 and over, who are intending to study on a Level 3 or higher course – including Access to HE Diplomas.
Best of all, if you successfully go on to complete an HE qualification following an Access to University course – you won’t even have to pay the loan back.
It’s easy to apply! To find out if you’re eligible, or for more information, see the Advanced Learner Loan page.
How long is the course?
- One year full-time
- Two years part-time
How will I be assessed?
The course is made up of a number of units designed to prepare you for the demands of higher level study. Assessment consists of at least one item of written coursework for each unit (report, essay, examination). For some units this is augmented with a spoken presentation.
What does the course lead to?
You could progress to study a wide range of science-related HE courses including:
- BSc (Hons) Biochemistry
- BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences
- BSc (Hons) Pharmacology
- BSc (Hons) Chemistry
- BSc (Hons) Forensic Science
- BSc (Hons) Radiography
- BSc (Hons) Podiatry
- BSc (Hons) Veterinary Nursing
- BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy
- BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy
All of these could lead to rewarding careers in the relevant fields. A chemistry graduate with a good degree could earn up to £27,500 in their first job, whereas moving into financial services could secure remuneration of up to £45,000.
As we are a partner college of Nottingham Trent University (NTU), you may qualify for various benefits should you choose to apply to NTU after completing your college course. This could include a Progress NTU offer, where you would receive an offer one grade below their standard offer. For instance, a typical offer for one of their courses might require 128 UCAS tariff points. With Progress NTU, your requirements would be 120 UCAS tariff points. For further details, please call us on 0808 100 3626 or discover more about this benefit here.
Career opportunities