Access to HE Diploma (Science) Level 3 OCNLR

When & Where

16 September 2025 - 19 June 2026 ( 420 hours, 35 weeks )
Afternoon, Tuesday, Wednesday
View course timetable
North Kensington Centre

Quick Facts

Availability Yes
Tutor Multiple
Course Code K25SHEF01A
Suitable For 19 year olds and up are permitted on this course

What you will learn

The Access to Higher Education Diploma is a Level 3 qualification which prepares people without traditional qualifications for study at university in a range of routes in science including: • Science • Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences • Paramedic Science The qualification gives you the relevant academic subject knowledge needed for higher education study and the opportunity to develop study skills to help you to succeed. You will also develop your practical skills, making use of the state-of-the-art science laboratories at our North Kensington Centre, brand-new for 2022. The qualification 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 number of Tariff points for the Access to HE Diploma varies between 48 and 144 points, dependent on your grade profile. The Access to HE Diploma (Science) is an ideal course for adults (anyone aged 19+) with a keen interest in the study of science in Higher Education. The course is suitable for students with a wide range of previous educational or career experiences who now wish to pursue further study in science.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

Biology: cells, nutrition, the cardiovascular system, the musculoskeletal system, the nervous system
Chemistry: matter particles and formulae, periodic trends, structure and function of biological molecules, the chemistry of organic compounds, the mole concept
Physics: atomic physics, motion energy and forces, algebra
Skills units: finding and reading information, report writing, examination skills, preparation for he, speaking and listening skills.

On successful completion of the course, you will achieve the following qualification: Access to HE Diploma (Science) [OCNLR]

Class format and activities

Assessment includes assignments, exams, presentations, observation of practical work and practical reports. Each unit studied will use one or more of these assessment methods. In order to ensure that you make the best possible progress on your course, you will have regular feedback from your tutor, in a constructive and supportive environment.

Entry requirements

You must be aged 19 or over and have GCSE English and Maths at Grade A-C / 4-9. You also need to have studied Science at Level 2 (GCSE level). In some cases, we will accept a Level 2 equivalent qualification (such as functional skills) but this will depend on your progression intention, as some universities will not accept GCSE equivalent qualifications. If you are not sure whether you meet the entry requirements, please submit an enquiry and one of the teaching team will discuss this with you. If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5/7, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests.

What you need to know before you enrol

The course runs from the beginning of September to the end of June and your timetable will normally be over three days a week. Classes will be held in person at our North Kensington Centre. Excellent attendance and punctuality will be required to complete the course successfully. Due to the volume of scientific ideas and principles covered, as well as their applications, students should be prepared to allow a significant number of hours per week of individual study outside of lessons. This requires dedication and commitment if you are going to succeed. We endeavour to prepare students for the demands of a University degree course in just nine short months. It is therefore essential that you think about how you are going to balance work, family and social life with your studies. Applicants are expected to show a high degree of verbal and written communication skills.

What you need

You should arrive to your lessons prepared to learn with pens, pencils and a writing pad. You should also invest in a ruler, some graph paper and a scientific calculator. All other resources and materials you need will be provided. In the event of teaching moving online, you will need a computer with internet access for online lessons on a daily basis.

What you can do next

On successful completion of the course you will be able to progress on to a degree programme at University or any higher education study. Past students have gained access to a wide range of science degrees at excellent universities, including: Veterinary Science (Royal Veterinary College) Physiotherapy (King’s College, St. George’s, LSBU & East London), Biomedical Science (Westminster, Kent & Royal Holloway) Nutrition and Dietetics (Kings College, St Marys’, Hertfordshire & Surrey) Chemistry (St. George’s) Marine Biology (Portsmouth) and Ecology (Lancaster).