Online United Kingdom
DEGREE TYPE
Diploma
DURATION
1 year
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
GBP 6,100
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning
Key Summary
Introduction
This course is offered via the express (evening) and distance learning modes of delivery.
Are you a mature student looking for a career in biopsychology? This is just one of the routes available to you when you enrol on the CAVA Access to HE Diploma in Science at City College Plymouth. Other opportunities include speech and language, psychology, neuroscience, mental health nursing, crisis intervention, occupational therapy and educational psychology. The course is perfect if you want to retrain for a new career that requires university study. You will learn alongside other like-minded mature students and have lots of support from our experienced lecturers. Please note the College course title is a suggested progression route, you must check with your preferred higher education institution to ensure that this course meets their entry requirements.
Upon successful completion of the course, you will be awarded an Access to Higher Education Diploma (Science).
Admissions
Program delivery
Assessment methods
In each subject you will be taught a range of units and each unit is assigned a credit value. When you successfully complete a unit you will be awarded a number of credits – these can be graded as pass, merit or distinction, depending on the standard of your work. You will continue to ‘collect’ credits throughout the course. The course is assessed by coursework, assignments, projects and exams.
Curriculum
Academic subjects may include:
- psychology
- biology.
Total credits – 45 at level 3
Academic preparation skills units subjects may include:
- examination technique and practice
- English
- chemistry.
Total credits – 15 at level 2 or ungraded level 3.
Total 60 credits.
Placements, Voluntary Work and Paid Employment
It is essential that you are aware if your university course requires you to have prior experience before applications are made. Lack of work experience would not exclude you from completing the Access course, however it may impact on your application to university.
GCSEs
GCSE equivalences in maths, English and science are no longer part of the Access Diploma. It is up to you if wish to enrol on GCSEs alongside your diploma, if you do not currently hold a recent 4 (C) qualification. Your chosen university may not require its applicants to have GCSE or may be happy with previously achieved qualifications, such as O Level, level 2, etc. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have clarified if enrolling on a GCSE is appropriate for you. If your university course does require you to study at GCSE level you could study alongside your Access Diploma, however you must understand the implications of not achieving your GCSEs. Although it does not affect your achievement of an Access Diploma it may compromise your place at university if you achieve the Access Diploma but do not achieve your GCSEs. Some universities encourage applicants to apply for university without GCSEs and complete equivalences between application and enrolment with the university (again, this is something you have to clarify). Alternatively, you may wish to study your GCSEs the year before or after Access study. GCSE classes are held during the day and in the evening. You will have to apply as a separate course, as well as your Access course, if this is your preference. The national changes in GCSE requirements for mature students are unique to each HEI.
Career Opportunities
- Chemical Scientists
- Laboratory Technicians