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Access to Higher Education

Level 3 Access to HE Medical Science

Mode of study

Full Time

Start date

17/09/2025

Entry requirements

Access to HE is an intensive course and it is important that you understand the commitment. We will ask you to complete initial assessments in English and maths. We would expect you to be able to demonstrate that you are working at Level 1 in maths and Level 2 in English (GCSE level). In addition you will have an interview with an Access to HE lecturer.

Teaching staff

Oaklands College has a team of experienced and specialist subject staff who have industry experience and deliver the teaching and learning on the programme. In addition there is a dedicated team of personal tutors who will help you develop your study skills and support you in reaching your full academic potential.

Course Code

ACCMDW1F/1

Duration

1-Year

Location

Welwyn Garden City Campus

Awarding body

Gateway Qualifications Limited

Assessment

Each unit is assessed through an assignment. This may be a piece of written work, controlled assessment or presentation. Most units are graded pass, merit or distinction. On completion the numbers of passes, merits and distinctions may be used to calculate a UCAS Tariff. Universities will generally set a target for merits / distinctions or a Tariff.

About the course

The Access to Higher Education Diploma in Medicine and Medical Sciences is a one-year course for adults who wish to pursue Higher Education. The aim of the qualification is to provide an opportunity for adults who may not have studied at Level 3 previously, and therefore require a qualification to gain access to university or other higher education courses. This programme provides a thorough grounding in scientific principles in preparation for study in the areas of medicine or medical sciences. The course particularly suits those who have been out of full-time education for some time or who wish to change careers.

Career options

On completing the Access course many of our students will continue their education at the University of Hertfordshire. Others choose to go further afield and continue their studies at various universities, including Oxford and Cambridge.

Course Content - What will I learn?

The Diploma has a strong emphasis on both biology and chemistry and learners will have the opportunity to study both equally to give a balanced view of skills to enable progression to medicine based degree programmes. Mandatory units include: Chemical Principles: Particles and Forces Fundamental Chemistry Human Anatomy and Physiology Quantitative Methods - Statistics You will also develop your academic writing skills, mathematics for science and preparation for Higher Education.
You may take one GCSE/ Functional Skills (English or maths) alongside the main programme. If you need these qualifications it is best to talk to one of the Access Team.

Please contact us to find out if you require any specific equipment for this particular course.

Each unit is assessed through an assignment. This may be a piece of written work, controlled assessment or presentation. Most units are graded pass, merit or distinction. On completion the numbers of passes, merits and distinctions may be used to calculate a UCAS Tariff. Universities will generally set a target for merits / distinctions or a Tariff.