Access to Higher Education: Science

The Credit System – The course is credit based. For this particular diploma, most units are three credit units and some are six credits units. Students are required to gain 60 credits in total. 45 credits must be achieved at level 3 from graded units, the remaining 15 credits at level 3 come from ungraded units. Credits are achieved by completing coursework and in some instances timed constrained closed book exams.

The Grading System – The Access to HE Diploma has a grading system. All level 3 credits gained from graded units are awarded a pass, merit or distinction grade based on the learner’s knowledge, understanding and skills. Universities usually make offers to Access students that require students to gain a certain number of credits at merit or distinction level, and will stipulate which subjects these credits must be achieved in.

It is preferable to have GCSE English and Maths at a minimum of grade 4/C before you commence the Access to HE Diploma. However, please contact us to discuss your prior qualifications and planned progression route and we would be happy to advise based on your particular set of circumstances.

For the Access to HE Diploma, level 2 functional skill (FS) may be accepted in lieu of GCSEs, but this will be dependent on the planned progression route of the applicant. Whilst some university courses accept level 2 FS in lieu of GCSEs, others may not. In addition, the university may stipulate they require a wider range of GCSEs and/or a higher grade profile. As such we advise applicants to carefully check the GCSE requirements for their planned progression route.

Completion of one GCSE or FS course alongside the Access to HE Diploma will be considered on a case-by-case basis. However, it is not possible to complete both English and maths alongside.

If your qualifications were gained overseas you need to confirm what your qualifications are equivalent to for the UK. The UK national agency for international qualifications and skills is the designated United Kingdom national agency for the recognition and comparison of international qualifications and skills. It performs this official function on behalf of the UK Government: https://www.enic.org.uk/

NB: Applicants are expected to undergo an interview

Awarding Body

Cambridge Access Validating Agency (www.cava.ac.uk)

Duration

This course duration is 30 weeks starting in September and finishing at the end of May. Taught hours are approximately 15 hours per week, plus 1.5 hours of tutor. Lectures are taught over 3 days per week. The college day typically starts at 9.15am and ends at 4.15pm.

Funding

Funding for the Access course is dependent on age and prior qualifications. Under certain circumstances you may qualify for full funding. For example, if you are aged 19 to 23 years and do not hold a full level 3 qualification you may receive a full fee emission. If you are aged 19 to 23 and have a full level 3 qualification or aged 24 years plus, you may be eligible for an Advanced Learner Loan to cover the course fees. The advanced learner loan is written off if you complete the Access to HE Diploma and go on to complete a higher education course. For further information, please visit truro-penwith.ac.uk/funding-free-courses.

Adult Bursaries

We currently offer a range of adult bursaries for help with things such as childcare, transport and meals. Eligibility is dependent on household income. More information about adult bursaries can be found on our website here.

Other Access Courses of Interest

You may also be interested in the Access to HE: Medicine or Nursing and Human Sciences. You can find out more about other Access to HE Diplomas here. If you need help deciding which course is the most appropriate for your planned progression route, please do get in touch.

If you would like to discuss Access to HE Diplomas, please email: enquiry@truro-penwith.ac.uk

University Courses You Can Progress to at The University Centre – Truro & Penwith

The Access to HE Science Diploma is an accepted route of entry to a wide range of courses on offer at the University Centre – Truro & Penwith. The Health Hub includes university courses in sport & health, psychology & social science, nursing and operating department practitioner. The Commercial Hub includes university courses in law with business or criminology. You can find out more about our university level course here.

If you would like more information about our university level courses, please email: heenquiry@truro-penwith.ac.uk