Medicine & Medical Biosciences - Access to Higher Education Diploma

If you would like to study Medicine or Medical Biosciences 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 onto 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 medicine or medical biosciences, 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 also have a personal tutor who will support you during the year and who will advise you on your applications to higher education institutions

Topics covered can include:

• Study skills
• Anatomy and physiology
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Maths

You will need:

• To be aged 19 or older
• Two weeks, or more, of relevant work experience
• GCSE English and Maths at grade 4 or above (or A*-C); depending on your choice of degree, you may require higher grades in GCSE English and Maths - if you wish to study optometry, you will need GCSE Maths at grade 6 or above (or A*-B) or higher. If you wish to study medicine or dentistry, you will need GCSE English and Maths at grade 6 or above (or A*-B)
• If you are looking to study medicine or dentistry at university, you must take a UCAT at an independent centre before starting the course (this is required for the 4, 5 and 6 year options), with a score of at least 630, with a minimum of 550 in each section, equating to a total score of 2520 (achieving band 1 or 2 is highly recommended). If you are applying to a university which is asking for a BMAT, you would need a BMAT score of 15.5 out of 28 in additional to the UCAT. If you are a graduate, you may also be required to sit a GAMSAT. It is essential that you check the requirements of your chosen university before applying, to check that you will be accepted onto their programme with this 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. The science units are graded to pass, merit or distinction; you cannot resit units to achieve upgrades.

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

If you will be aged 19 or older on 31 August in the year you begin your course, and have been resident in the UK/EU/EEA for the past 3 years, you may be eligible for an Advanced Learner Loan to cover the cost of your course. Some courses will have other costs associated, such as for materials and trips. Many of our students are eligible for financial support when studying at college – please click here for more information.

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. We recommend that you check you have completed relevant work experience, such as work placements in clinics, surgeries, hospitals or residential homes etc. in preparation for your personal statement.