Access to Science – Medical and Health Sciences Pathway

Access to Science – Medical and Health Sciences Pathway

This Course at a Glance

• 100% online learning
• Career prospects in Health and Medical Sciences
• Progress to degree-level study
• Can be completed in 9-12 months
• Schedule your own study time
• Gain a QAA recognised qualification

About Your Diploma

The medical and healthcare sphere is vast and wide, opening up a realm of career opportunities. If you have a certain career path in mind, undertaking the Access to Science – Medical and Health Sciences Pathway will give you valuable foundation knowledge. With this accredited qualification, you can move on to degree-level study.

You will cover a multitude of units over the course of your online study, including:

• Atoms, Bonds and Structure
• The Properties and Applications of the Electromagnetic Spectrum
• Cell Division and Genetics
• Moles, Equations and Acids

By covering a wealth of topics, you will enhance your overall knowledge in a sector that is constantly thriving and developing.

Access Healthcare Careers Without A-Levels

This Access to Science – Medical and Health Sciences Pathway is the first step towards a career in health and medical science professions, as it prepares you to go to university without having to go back to college.

A qualification of this calibre is widely regarded as an alternative to A-Levels. Therefore, they are the perfect option if you have been out of education for a long time, or if you do not meet the A Level entry requirements for higher education.

Refresh Your Study Skills

To ensure that you are ready for the challenges of university level education, this course provides the perfect level of academic study. With modules that help to improve your writing and research skills, as well as specific units on Biology, Chemistry and Physics, this diploma will get you ready for your chosen undergraduate degree.

Getting Started

As soon as you enrol on the Access to Science – Medical and Health Sciences Pathway course with learndirect, you can begin your journey! You will get access to all of the course materials you need to study online, and you will also be able to contact our experienced tutors and dedicated Access Support Team.

Keep Track of Your Assignments

An Individual Learning Plan will be issued, containing submission deadlines for your assignments to help keep you on track. An Access to Higher Education Diploma can be completed over two years, but most students complete their course within 9 months. With the course being 100% online, you can learn from the comfort of your own home.

Study on Your Terms

Whether you work full-time or have family commitments, you can study around your schedule. Most universities accept Access to Higher Education Diplomas as part of their entry requirements, so you could potentially secure a position at the university of your choice.

Modules

Moudle 1: Academic Writing Skills

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• 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

Module 2: Reading and Note Making

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• 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

Module 3: The Structure and Function of Cells

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand cellular structure and organisation
• Understand cellular activity
• Understand the cell cycle

Module 4: Atoms, Bonds and Structure

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand atomic structure
• Understand bonding, structure and properties
• Understand intermolecular forces

Module 5: The Properties and Applications of the Electromagnetic Spectrum

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• 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

Module 6: Cell Division and Genetics

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand mitosis
• Understand meiosis
• Understand genetic variation

Module 7: Moles, Equations and Acids

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand the mole concept and perform related calculations
• Understand chemical formulae and equations
• Understand acids and bases

Module 8: The Laws of Physics

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand force and motion
• Understand energy conservation and momentum
• Understand wave motion
• Understand reflection and refraction
• Understand magnetism and electrical current behaviours

Module 9: Human Musculoskeletal System

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand the human skeleton and how it relates to locomotion
• Know how muscles contract
• Understand the development of bone

Module 10: Chemistry of Drugs and Medicines

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• 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

Module 11: Radioactivity in Medicine

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand the nature of radioactive decay
• Understand the need for safety precautions when handling radioactive isotopes
• Understand the beneficial uses of radioactive isotopes

Module 12: Endocrine System

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand terms hormone and endocrine gland
• Understand homeostasis and feedback mechanisms
• Understand the action of hormones

Module 13: Kinetics, Energetics, Equilibria and Acid-Base Equilibria

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand chemical kinetics
• Understand energetics
• Understand chemical equilibria
• Understand acid-base equilibria

Module 14: Waves and Optics

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• 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

Module 15: Infection and Immunity

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• 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

Entry Requirements

To study an Access to HE Diploma you must be resident in the UK and have a UK postcode.

You must hold Level 2 qualifications in both English and Maths, or be working towards them alongside studying your Access to Higher Education Diploma.

University Entry Criteria

It must be reiterated that each university will set its own admission criteria. So, you must check with your desired institution if your Access to HE Diploma and other qualifications will be accepted. In many cases, to get started at university you will need: - A certain number of credits passed with a merit or a distinction grade - A face-to-face interview at the university - Literacy and numeracy assessments provided by the university - Course-related work placements or work experience - GCSE Grade C/4 or above in Maths and English (or equivalent Level 2 such as Functional Skills/Key Skills, etc.) It is your responsibility to check that your Access to HE Diploma will be accepted as part of these entry requirements for your chosen degree. learndirect will not be held accountable if completing this Access to Higher Education Diploma doesn’t secure you a position with a higher education institution.

Minimum age restriction

Access to HE Diplomas are designed to support students to progress to university who have substantial experience of life outside of formal education which they have gained since completing compulsory schooling.

Average completion timeframe

The average time it takes our learners to complete the course is 9-12 months.

Assessment requirements

A range of assessment methodologies are used, including: academic report, essay, scenario analysis, illustrated report, presentation (video and audio recording), series of questions, work sheet, academic writing skills tasks

Exams required

There are no exams included in the assessment of the course.

Is Membership Required?

No membership is required to enrol on this course.

Additional requirements

Learners must be actively studying for a minimum of six months before results can be ratified and certificates ordered. The six month period does not start until you have passed unit 2 of your course and you must be submitting assignments regularly (in line with the deadlines in your Individual Learning Plan) to meet this six month requirement. Certificates can only be issued once your course is paid for in full.

Certification Timeframe

You can expect to receive your certificate 12-16 weeks from your final assignment being marked and graded, depending on the time of year. You will be provided with regular updates throughout the certification process so that you are fully informed of your individual timeframes.

Course Fees

All course fees, inclusive of all payment plans including our Premium Credit Limited option, must be settled before certification can be ordered.

*You will have access to the course for 24 months.

The Access to Science – Medical and Health Sciences Pathway includes a number of units containing rich, interactive study materials. At the end of each unit of study, you will need to complete an assignment, which your tutor will then mark and provide you with feedback and a grade to help you progress.

Credits

To successfully achieve this Access to Higher Education Diploma you will need 60 credits, which are divided into units. You receive these credits through the completion of assignments, and the credits are split into two categories:

• Graded - Units that are focused on academic subject areas make up 45 credits
• Ungraded - The remaining 15 credits are from ungraded units that aim to improve your academic writing and study skills

As part of your programme, you will also receive guidance on how to put together your university application as well as the research you need to get the most out of your diploma.

Skills & Education Group Access

On successful completion of the Access to Science – Medical and Health Sciences Pathway, (QAA aim code: 40012906), you will receive a Skills & Education Group Access, QAA recognised, Access to Higher Education Diploma at Level 3. As part of your programme, you will also receive help as well as guidance on your university application and the research you need to do to get the most out of your diploma.

An access validating agency with a strong social purpose to recognise achievement, particularly for those who have benefited least from their previous educational experiences, Skills and Education Group Access supports the needs of learners, providers, businesses and communities by enabling progression into higher education.

Career

By obtaining an Access to Science – Medical and Health Sciences Pathway, you can embark on further study in a related career of your choice. The options are vast and extensive such as the broad spectrum of units that you cover during the course.

The foundation knowledge that you gain will allow you to branch out into a range of Health and Medical Science degrees. Before undertaking the Access to Higher Education Diploma, it is likely that you already had a career path in mind. It is always worth noting, though, that you are not limited when it comes to further study.

Degrees You Could Study

Should your chosen university accept Access to Higher Education Diplomas as part of their entry requirements, you can go on to study degrees in many areas, including the following:

• Pharmacy
• Radiography
• Paramedic Science
• Biomedical Science
• Dentistry
• Veterinary Practice
• Dental Nursing

Please note that the above list is subject to change and entry requirements for these courses can differ between universities.

Further Qualifications and Prospects

Once you have progressed into the career of your choice, you should be aware that many professions in this sector require mandatory Continuing Professional Development (CPD). You will have to undertake a certain number of hours in order to maintain your registration. This is to make sure that you are up to date on current practices so that you can continue to perform competently.

Not only that, but you will be able to enhance your skillset and potentially progress towards another area of practice. Depending on your profession, you will have to undertake CPD courses.

Examples of study you can embark on include:

• Dental Practice Administration
• Clinical Nutrition
• Dental Radiography

Your opportunities don’t end there, you can undertake postgraduate qualifications if you want to advance your role or even become a Lecturer or Researcher.

Frequently Asked Questions