This Distance Learning course is accredited by the Skills and Education Group (SEG).

The Access to Higher Education Diploma in Science - Medical and Health is a Level 3 qualification designed to provide you with the credentials needed to progress to university-level study in medical and healthcare related subjects. Equivalent to three A-Levels, it is tailored for individuals who left school without the necessary qualifications or those returning to education after an extended break.

Throughout the course, you will develop essential academic skills, including note-taking, essay writing, research techniques, time management, exam preparation, and oral presentation delivery, ensuring you are well-prepared for university-level study.

The program is structured to equip you with the knowledge and skills needed for success in various areas of medical and health sciences. It focuses on building your competence in key subjects, including the laws of physics, the chemistry of drugs and medicine, and the biology of the human body.

You will explore topics such as cell division and genetics, human infection and immunity, and the principles of drugs and medicine, gaining a comprehensive understanding of medical and health sciences.

By the end of the course, you will have a clear understanding of the areas of medical and health sciences that interest you most, providing an essential foundation for a successful career in healthcare and medical fields and serving as the first step towards a degree and profession in health and medical sciences.

This Access to HE Diploma can be started at any point throughout the year, and takes approximately 9-12 months to complete; this means it does not necessarily follow the standard academic year. If you start the course later than September, it is unlikely you will meet the January UCAS deadline to start at university that September.

You will need:

• GCSE grade 4 or above for both English and maths
  or
• A relevant Level 2 qualification and Functional Skills in English and maths at Level 2*

You will also have an online assessment and interview with our course tutors before completing your enrolment, so we can ensure the course is right for you.

*Some universities do not accept Functional Skills and require GCSEs - please check the entry requirements of your chosen course and universities to ensure you will be eligible to apply.

The assessment process for this course is ongoing and designed to evaluate your progress throughout the year. It includes a combination of:

• Assignments
• Tests
• Exams

Each unit of the course is modular, promoting manageable, bite-sized learning. Every unit consists of smaller components called Assessment Criteria. At the end of each unit, you will complete an assignment, which is reviewed by your personal tutor. Your tutor will provide constructive feedback, highlighting strengths and offering guidance on areas for improvement to help you surpass your expectations.

All assessments are designed by your tutors and externally moderated by SEGA to maintain quality and fairness.

After completing your Access to HE course, you will be able to:

• Apply for a medicine and healtcare science-related degree at university*
• Progress directly into employment in the NHS or other health-related organisations

*Please check the entry requirements of your chosen course and universities to ensure you will be eligible to apply, as these can vary between institutions, even for similar courses.

Topics you will study include:

Academic Writing Skills:
- Be able to structure a written response
- Be able to develop a structured response to a plan
- Be able to present the response appropriately for audience and purpose
- Understand how to apply academic writing principles to own work

Reading and Note Making:
- Understand a range of reading strategies
- Understand the use of language in terms of the purpose and context of a range of texts
- Be able to use methods for developing notes from a range of sources

The Structure and Function of Cells:
- Understand cellular structure and organisation
- Understand cellular activity
- Understand the cell cycle

Atoms, Bonds and Structure:
- Understand atomic structure
- Understand bonding, structure and properties
- Understand intermolecular forces

The Properties and Applications of the Electromagnetic Spectrum:
- Understand electromagnetic waves
- Understand visible and ultraviolet light including their applications
- Understand microwaves and infrared light
- Understand ultraviolet light and infrared light in terms of their potential to become hazardous
- Understand the use of x-rays in medical settings

Cell Division and Genetics:
- Understand mitosis
- Understand meiosis
- Understand genetic variation

Moles, Equations and Acids:
- Understand the mole concept and perform related calculations
- Understand chemical formulae and equations
- Understand acids and bases

The Laws of Physics:
- Understand force and motion
- Understand energy conservation and momentum
- Understand wave motion
- Understand reflection and refraction
- Understand magnetism and electrical current behaviours

Human Musculoskeletal System:
- Understand the human skeleton and how it relates to locomotion
- Know how muscles contract
- Understand the development of bone

Chemistry of Drugs and Medicines:
- Understand the key definitions used in medicinal chemistry
- Understand the significance of the molecular structure of drugs upon their function
- Understand analytic methods used for drug detection
- Understand the importance of isomerism in drug action
- Understand the common processes involved in drug design

Radioactivity in Medicine:
- Understand the nature of radioactive decay
- Understand the need for safety precautions when handling radioactive isotopes
- Understand the beneficial uses of radioactive isotopes

Endocrine System:
- Understand terms hormone and endocrine gland
- Understand homeostasis and feedback mechanisms
- Understand the action of hormones

Kinetics, Energetics, Equilibria and Acid-Base Equilibria:
- Understand chemical kinetics
- Understand energetics
- Understand chemical equilibria
- Understand acid-base equilibria

Waves and Optics:
- Understand concepts associated with waves
- Understand wave properties
- Understand simple optics
- Be able to illustrate the electromagnetic spectrum
- Understand the effects of diffraction and two source interference of waves

Infection and Immunity:
- Understand the contributions of Snow, Semmelweiss, Pasteur, Jenner and Koch to the understanding of infectious disease
- Understand how the human body responds to infection
- Understand the cause and transmission of different pathogens
- Understand how infections can be prevented by vaccination
- Understand the mechanism of action of antibiotics

In addition to the qualification units, you will also be required to complete short introductory tasks at the start of your course to support the development of your academic study skills.