Access to Higher Education Diploma (Science) - Medicine and Healthcare Professions Pathway

Modules

Unit 1: Academic Writing Skills

On completion of this unit, you will:

• Be able to write with relevance in responding to an academic task
• Know how to interpret and discuss ideas and issues in responding to a set, academic writing task
• Be able to summarise for academic purposes, selecting key points, information, or central ideas

Unit 2: Preparing a Written Assignment

On completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand how to use key information sources
• Understand why sources are acknowledged and referenced
• Understand a range of reading strategies
• Unsterstand note-making methods
• Understand how to plan draft and produce a written assignment

Unit 3: Cell Biology

On completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand the structure and organisation of cells
• Understand cellular metabolism
• Understand how cells grow and divide

Unit 4: Atomic Structure

On completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand protons, neutrons, and electrons in terms of their relative charges and masses
• Understand the distribution of protons, neutrons and electrons in an atom given its Atomic number and Mass number, including some isotopes
• Understand the number and relative energies of the s, p and d orbitals for the principal quantum numbers and know the shapes of s, p and d orbitals
• Understand how ionisation energies of elements relate to reactivity
• Understand the position of elements within the Periodic Table from ionisation energy data

Unit 5: Cell Division & Heredity

On completion of this unit, you will:

• Demonstrate a knowledge of cell division
• Demonstrate an understanding of heredity and genetic variation

Unit 6: Electromagnetic Spectrum

On completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand the principles and types of electromagnetic waves
• Understand the properties and applications of visible and ultraviolet light
• Understand the properties of microwaves and infrared
• Understand the biohazards of ultraviolet and infrared radiation
• Understand the hazards and uses of X- Rays in medical applications

Unit 7: Periodic Table

On completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand the Periodic Table
• Understand periodicity in the elements of Period 3
• Understand ionisation energy
• Understand oxidation and reduction
• Understand reactions of the Group 2 metals
• Understand the Group 7 elements

Unit 8: Cell Metabolism

On completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand metabolism and metabolic pathways
• Understand the tricarboxylic acid cycle
• Understand the dark reactions in photosynthesis
• Understand the biochemical basis of generating adenosine triphosphate in subcellular organelles

Unit 9: Trigonometry

On completion of this unit you will:

• Be able to use trigonometrical functions
• Be able to use trigonometry to solve equations and problems
• Be able to use trigonometric functions and identifies in the context of proofs
• Be able to produce trigonometric graphs

Unit 10: Atomic Structure & Bonding

On completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand the structure of the atom
• Understand electronic structures
• Understand the formation of ionic bonds
• Understand the formation of covalent bonds

Unit 11: Human Immunity

On completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand non-specific defences against disease
• Understand specific immunity
• Understand the biology of vaccination

Unit 12: Medical Physics

On completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand atomic structure
• Understand the nature of alpha, beta and gamma radiation, and X-rays
• Understand the main uses of ionising radiation in monitoring and treatment
• Understand how radio isotopes are used in healthcare
• Understand the health applications of a selected part of electromagnetic spectrum
• Understand how ultrasound is used in healthcare

Unit 13: Hydrocarbons

On completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand the importance of organic compounds
• Understand the structure and characteristic reactions of alkanes
• Understand the structure and characteristic reactions of alkenes

Unit 14: The Human Endocrine & Nervous System

On completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand the anatomy, organisation and function of the nervous system
• Understand how the endocrine system co-ordinates body functions
• Understand the role of the nervous and endocrine systems homeostasis

Unit 15: Physics

On completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand the connection between force and motion and be able to use Newton's Laws of Motion
• Understand conservation of energy and momentum
• Understand the concepts and vocabulary of wave motion
• Understand the straight-line model of the behaviour of light
• Understand the behaviour and properties of magnets and magnetic fields, electric charge and electric current

Unit 16: Chemical Change

On completion of this unit, you will:

• Be able to measure the concentrations of solutions
• Understand energy changes during chemical reactions
• Understand factors influencing rates of chemical reactions
• Understand the concept of chemical equilibrium

Unit 17: The Human Muscular and Skeletal System

On completion of this unit, you will:

• Know the anatomy, organisation and function of the muscular system
• Understand the anatomy, organisation and function of the skeletal system
• Be aware of how the muscular system and skeletal system interact in locomotion

Unit 18: Optics & Sound

On completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand the Laws of Reflection
• Understand the Laws of Refraction
• Understand the action of convex and concave lenses
• Understand the simple optics of the eye
• Understand the nature of transverse and longitudinal wave motions
• Understand how the ear detects sound waves

Entry Requirements

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.

Assessment

The Access to Higher Education Diploma (Science) – Medicine and Healthcare Professions 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.

Qualifications

Open College Network West Midlands

On successful completion of the Open College Network West Midlands Access to Higher Education Diploma (Science), you will receive a QAA recognised Access to HE Diploma at Level 3 (QAA ref: (40013212). This course has also been assigned 60 credits.

Open College Network West Midlands are a national Awarding Organisation, regulated by Ofqual, the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) and Qualifications Wales, to develop and award nationally recognised qualifications.

Open College Network West Midlands work in partnership with employers, training providers, colleges, universities, schools and voluntary and community organisations to offer vocational credit-based qualifications, Access to Higher Education Diplomas and quality assured Customised Accreditation that enables learners gain employment or to progress into further learning and Higher Education. They also Quality Endorse organisations internal training and skills delivery.

Career

By obtaining an Access to Higher Education Diploma (Science) – Medicine and Healthcare Professions 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