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Science

Access to HE Diploma (Science) – Science Pathway

  • Course Type: Access to HE

What can this course lead to?

Examples of HE programmes that students progress to include:

  • Biology
  • Biomedical science
  • Chemistry
  • Chemical engineering
  • Data science
  • Dentistry
  • Dietetics
  • Environmental science
  • Forensic science
  • Optometry
  • Pharmacy
  • Pharmacology
  • Physics
  • Therapeutic radiography
  • Veterinary medicine

Who is it for?

The Access to Higher Education (HE) Diploma in Science is a one-year full-time study programme specifically for motivated individuals aged 19 and over who have the ambition to study a degree, progress in their current career, or simply build knowledge and new skills.

The Access to HE Diploma is a QAA-recognised Level 3 qualification accepted by most UK universities nationwide as a standard entry qualification for undergraduate degree courses. If you lack relevant Level 3 qualifications and wish to study at University, an Access to Higher Education Diploma is a fantastic solution to help you achieve your goals.

The Diploma is validated by the Cambridge Access Validating Agency (CAVA). To find out more about CAVA, please visit www.cava.ac.uk.

What is covered?

You will study a range of subjects on the Diploma including units that cover:

  • Academic study skills - research, presentations
  • Core biology concepts
  • Core chemistry concepts
  • Medical physics
  • Maths - numerical data and statistics
  • Practical laboratory skills - microbiology, chemistry
  • Individual research project

Optional units that we offer (subject to demand) include:

  • Health and disease
  • Mensuration and trigonometry
  • Human physiology
  • Additional chemistry
  • Quantum and astrophysics
  • Forensics
  • Ecology

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

As this is a course specifically for mature learners, to enrol you must be aged 19+ on the 31st August.

Applicants must hold Level 2 qualifications in English maths and Science:

  • GCSE English at grade A*/9 – C/4.
  • GCSE Maths at grade A*/9 – C/4.
  • GCSE Science at grade A*/9 – C/4 or BTEC Level 2 Applied Science at Merit or Pre-Access Certificate with science content

Foreign equivalents and Functional Skills Level 2 can be considered on a case by case basis.

If you do not hold the relevant qualifications, you may wish to consider the full-time preAccess course (https://www.peterborough.ac.uk/courses/pre-access-science-and-social-science-2/) or first undertake part-time GCSEs in English/maths.

Start date: 01/09/2026

Course Code

PAC3SC5AF$

Duration

1 Year Full-time

Fees

£3384.00

Full-time courses are fully funded for 16 to 18-year-olds. For age 19+, various funding options are available.

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