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Tameside College Access and Higher Education

Beaufort Road, Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, OL6 6NX, UK

Access to HE Science and Allied Medical Professions

If you are thinking of a career in education but don't yet have the prerequisite qualifications for university, then this is the right course for you. An Access to Higher Education qualification is a fast-track course that is widely recognised by universities and bridges the gap between existing education and what is needed to study at degree level. The Access to Science pathway is an intensive and challenging one-year course that will give you an overview of the field of science in the 21st century, and help you to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence needed for university and beyond.

The Science Access Course is designed for people interested in studying science courses at university and comprises a rounded science education. The course is also suitable for those wishing to study vocational courses at university such as Diagnostic Radiography, Physiotherapy or Optometry degrees.

The programme is split evenly into three teaching topics – Chemistry, Physics and Biology. A full list of the units studied can be found below:

Chemistry

Structure & Bonding

Chemical and Acid-Base Equilibria

Organic Chemistry

Periodicity

Reacting amounts

Physics

Nuclear Physics

Quantum Physics

Non Ionising Medical Images (double unit)

Medical Uses of Radioisotopes

Biology

From Cells to Organ Systems (double unit)

Genetics

Biological Molecules

Body Defences

Many Access students may have not been in formal education for a number of years and what most students realise when starting an Access course is that it is not like school! Class sizes are smaller which allows you to get more attention from your teacher. Classes are more like seminars which you have at university, this allows for greater discussion of the topic being covered. The course includes tutorial support sessions which covers essay writing, time management and research skills in addition to help writing your UCAS application. All teachers on the pathway have higher degrees (or are working towards them) and have a wealth of experience in their field.

Throughout the course, hands-on experience and the development of scientific skills are a key component. Learners are provided with numerous opportunities to undertake scientific investigations and take part in sessions taught by professionals from core British scientific institutions. Within the course there are multiple opportunities for enrichment activities outside of the classroom including educational visits to local universities and The Christie.

The Access course is very intensive and the need to show commitment to the course and be motivated and determined to be successful will be matched by your teachers. We recommend that you are able to spend a minimum of 15 - 20 hours per week outside of the classroom devoted to your studies.

Grade C/4 (or above) in GCSE English and Maths and a Science GCSE at grade B/5, or two at grade C/4 – certificates will need to be presented. Please note we do not accept Level 2 Functional Skills as equivalent to either GCSE English or maths for this course. Any overseas qualifications must be officially recognised in the UK and must be verified as equivalent by an exams equivalence service, e.g., UK ENIC. Please note entry qualifications must be in place prior to the start of the course and cannot be studied alongside the Access qualification.

The way Access is structured means that assessment is on-going throughout the year. Your first assignments are usually undertaken just a few weeks into the course. The style of assessment varies so you develop a wide range of skills in preparation for university. We are using original assessment methods such as podcasts and academic posters alongside traditional essays and exams.

There are 15 graded units on the course which will be awarded at pass, merit and distinction. These graded units are worth ‘UCAS’ points. Universities will ask for a certain number of UCAS points in any offers they make to you. For almost all courses our students go onto study, universities ask for a combination of distinctions and merits, however this varies widely between courses, so it is recommended you check entry requirements for the course you wish to study at the university you would like to apply to. For courses e.g., Radiography it is not uncommon to require all units graded distinction.

You will be given clear guidance and support for each assignment, with regular feedback from your tutors to help you develop your skills and achieve your goals. This assessment approach allows you to build a portfolio of work that showcases your abilities and prepares you for progression into higher education.

The course is recognised by all UK universities and many students in the past have gone on to study at prestigious Russell Group universities such as: The University of Manchester and the University of Leeds as well as The University of Salford, Manchester Metropolitan University, The University of Huddersfield and the University of Bradford. The course has an excellent record of students gaining entry to their first choice of university. Recent students have progressed onto diverse degrees such as Optometry, Biochemistry, Genetics, Physiotherapy, Radiography and Zoology.

Fees:
£3,384(Fee is per year)

Financial support could be available through Student Finance England.
For further information regarding finance please refer to the below links:

For Access and Pre-Access Courses:https://he.tameside.ac.uk/about/funding-your-access-course

For Higher Education Courses:https://he.tameside.ac.uk/about/funding-your-he-course

Course Code:
NL0017MQ/1
Duration:
1 Year

Start date:
08/09/2025
Times:
(Mon 10:00am-3:30pm & Thu 9:00am-3:00pm)

Application Deadline:
Please note the deadline for applying to this course is 1 week before the start date stated above.

Is the course accredited? Yes, all Higher Education and Access Courses at Tameside College are fully accredited by an awarding body. Please see the 'What can I achieve and what is next?' section for more details.
Course Gallery
Image : Access to HE Science and Allied Medical Professions

Chloe Wassall, Student of the Year 2024 (Access to Science and Allied Medical Professions)


Image : Access to HE Science and Allied Medical Professions

Awarded by Open Awards


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