Access to HE Online

Science (Biochemical)

AIMS OF THE COURSE

THE ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION (HE) DIPLOMA IS A QUALIFICATION, EQUIVALENT TO A LEVEL, WHICH ALLOWS LEARNERS TO GO ON AND STUDY AT UNIVERSITY WHEN THEY DID NOT HAVE THE RELEVANT QUALIFICATIONS NEEDED TO DO SO. ACCESS TO HE COURSES ARE AVAILABLE IN A WIDE RANGE OF DIFFERENT SUBJECTS AND ARE WIDELY RECOGNISED BY UK UNIVERSITIES.

Contact Us

Email: ELearning@escg.ac.uk
Tel: 030 300 38368

KEY COURSE DETAILS

  • Course code: 61506-01
  • Course Fee: £3384
  • Course length: 12 months
  • Recommended study per week: 15 hours*
  • Total number of units within the course: 18 (including IAG unit: Preparing to Study and Study Skills Portfolio Building unit)

* You should allow a total of around 15 study hours per week to complete the whole qualification, over 12 months. If you study more hours each week, you may finish the course more quickly.

ATTENDANCE

The online course is designed to be flexible yet structured, with a 15-hour weekly study expectation and a requirement for students to log in at least twice a week. Holidays can be accommodated; students are simply asked to inform the course administrators of their absence in advance.

The awarding body requires a minimum engagement length of 6 months on this course (this means you cannot complete the course before a date 6 months after your start date).

This structure supports consistent progress while allowing for life's unpredictable moments.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Based on the level of study we ask that students have the following qualifications upon entry:

  • English – Level 2 Functional Skills, Grade C/4 GCSE
  • Mathematics – Level 2 Functional Skills, Grade C/4 GCSE
  • Students should have the ambition to study a related degree at a higher education institute or university or Higher Apprenticeship.

Due to limitations with funding, our online Access to HE Diplomas are only available to those who are aged 19 or older on the 31st of August 2024.

Access to Higher Education Diplomas are extensively accepted as an alternative to 'A Levels' for University entrance. The Access to Higher Education Diplomas have a reputation of successfully helping students to gain admission to University.

Students should, however, be aware that each university apply their own admissions criteria, and we highly recommend that you research universities prior to applying to this course, to ensure your chosen university accepts this Diploma and the credits and graded units available for each subject area.

Whilst we have confidence that the Access to Higher Education Diplomas are compliant and sufficient to form part of a University application, East Sussex College will not be able to accept any liability for the inability of any Access to Higher Education learner to secure an offer from a Higher Education establishment due to the individual set requirement of each university or higher education institution.

INTERNATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

For students with English and maths qualifications from outside the UK we require evidence of proficiency in English and maths, which can sometimes be met by qualifications obtained abroad. However, it's important for prospective students to verify with the specific higher education institutions whether their international qualifications are accepted. Some institutions may require a GCSE-equivalent qualification or may have specific criteria for recognising international qualifications.

RIGHT TO STUDY

To study for an Access to Higher Education (HE) Diploma in the UK, you typically need to be a UK resident. Additionally, meeting residency requirements is often necessary to be eligible for government funding for these courses.

BENEFITS FOR INDIVIDUALS

After successfully completing this Access to Higher Education Diploma, you’ll have a good understanding of essential skills and knowledge areas for higher education study in humanities. The diploma covers academic writing, effective reading and note-making strategies, biology and chemistry. This structured approach ensures a well-rounded educational experience, preparing students for the multifaceted nature of biochemical science.

With this qualification, you will be able to enrol on a degree or higher-level apprenticeship that is related to biochemical science.

There are a wide range of career opportunities for you if you study the Access to HE Diploma (Science) (Biochemical Pathway). After successfully completing a university degree or higher-level apprenticeships, you would be able to start your career in biochemical science. You will have plenty of opportunities available to you. Potential career paths (dependant on the degree you study):

  • Laboratory Technician
  • Clinic co-ordinator
  • Research analyst
  • Biomedical or Forensic Scientist
  • Pharmacologist
  • Science writer
  • Toxicologist

COURSE CONTENT

The course consists of 17 Units of Study.

  • unit 1 PREPARING for success – induction unit
    • This introductory unit will provide you with useful information, advice and guidance to enable you to get the most from your studies and help you to decide which options within HE are best suited to you. Once you have completed all of the elements of this introductory section you will be able to progress onto the units of study for your Access to HE Diploma
  • UNIT 2 ACADEMIC WRITING SKILLS
    • Be able to interpret specific questions
    • Be able to structure a written response
    • Be able to present the response appropriately for audience and purpose
    • Understand how to organise and apply information in their academic writing
  • UNIT 3 Reading & Note Making
    • 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.
  • UNIT 4 The structure and function of cells
    • Understand cellular structure and organisation
    • Understand cellular activity
    • Understand the cell cycle
  • UNIT 5 atoms, bonds and structure
    • Understand atomic structure
    • Understand bonding, structure and properties
    • Understand intermolecular forces
  • UNIT 6 cell division and genetics
    • Understand mitosis
    • Understand meiosis
    • Understand genetic variation
  • UNIT 7 moles, equations and acids
    • Understand the mole concept and perform related calculations
    • Understand chemical formulae and equations
    • Understand acids and bases
  • UNIT 8 nutrition and digestion
    • Understand the concept of a balanced diet
    • Understand the structure and function of the human digestive system
  • UNIT 9 redox and periodicity
    • Understand oxidation and reduction
    • Understand periodicity
    • Understand the chemistry of Group 2 elements and compounds
    • Understand the chemistry of halogens and their compounds
  • UNIT 10 human musculoskeletal systems
    • Understand the human skeleton and how it relates to locomotion
    • Know how muscles contract
    • Understand the development of bone
  • unit 11 chemistry of drugs and medicines
    • 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
  • UNIT 12 nervous system
    • Understand the basic structure and function of the nervous system
    • Understand the nature of nerve impulses
    • Understand the principles of synaptic transmission
  • UNIT 13 chemistry of pollution
    • Understand the causes and effects of atmospheric pollution
    • Understand the effects of rising CO2 levels on the chemistry of the oceans
    • Understand causes and effects of pollution of the hydrosphere
    • Be able to evaluate sources of trace-metal pollution and their effects on local soils and/or water courses
  • UNIT 14 endocrine system
    • Understand terms hormone and endocrine gland
    • Understand homeostasis and feedback mechanisms
    • Understand the action of hormones
  • UNIT 15 kinetics, energetics, equilibria and acid-base equilibria
    • Understand chemical kinetics
    • Understand energetics
    • Understand chemical equilibria
    • Understand acid-base equilibria
  • UNIT 16 Study Skills portfolio
  • This unit requires you to build a portfolio of evidence which covers a range of different study skills. The different elements of the portfolio will be a combination of work that you have already completed as part of your programme, as well as reflective and evaluative commentary
  • UNIT 17 infection and immunity
    • 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
  • the cause and control of disease
    • Understand categories and causes of human disease
    • Understand the epidemiology of a named disease
    • Understand measures for disease prevention

DELIVERY STYLE AND ASSESSOR SUPPORT

This online course differs to a classroom course, as you will not be taught. Instead, you will study independently following the online learning materials and completing assignments. Your dedicated unit assessor can be contacted through the message system on the VLE (Virtual Learning Environment). If you need any guidance, help, or wish to book in a phone or Teams video support call you can message your assessor or contact the admin team. We allow 12 months to work through the course, so it’s flexible in that you can study when you want eg the course platform is available 24/7 however you will have deadlines to meet to complete each unit assignment. During Induction you will be provided with an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) including the expected assessment schedule for your course.

Study time includes:

  • working through the interactive content
  • completing the assignments for each unit
  • reading assessor feedback and reviewing course material or other resources as directed
  • resubmitting your assignment where requested

You won’t need to purchase any books unless you wish to supplement these study materials.

PASS CRITERIA

  • Each unit includes specific Learning Outcomes (as listed in the units) and Assessment Criteria.
  • To achieve a Pass in any assessment you must meet all criteria.
  • The list of detailed Assessment Criteria for each Unit is made available to you on the VLE.

In order to complete this diploma, you must achieve a total of 60 credits. 45 credits graded which are taken from the subject specific areas of chemistry and biology 15 credits are ungraded from the skills for learning, IAG assessments and biology and chemistry areas.

The Access to HE Diploma (Science) (Biochemical Pathway) is made up modules that fall under specific subject areas. The subjects are:

  • Skills for Learning
  • Biology
  • Chemistry

You will be required to submit assessments by a set deadline. To pass the module you must meet all the assessment criteria. After your first submission your assessor will provide feedback. At this point you will either have met all the pass criteria and your module will be graded or will be asked to resubmit your assessment taking on board the assessor’s feedback and you’ll be permitted to make further submission of your work. Once your module has been achieved you can then proceed to the next module of the course. You will continue in this way through until you have completed all modules of the course.

Once all of the assessments are complete and have gone through internal moderation and external moderation the college will then present your grades to the Awarding Body. Our verification dates usually fall in July* and November* (*subject to change).

The awarding organisation is Skills and Education Group Access (SEGA) who 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.

Access to Higher Education Diplomas are extensively accepted as an alternative to 'A Levels' for University entrance. The Access to Higher Education Diplomas have a reputation of successfully helping students to gain admission to university.

Students should, however, be aware that each university apply their own admissions criteria, and we highly recommend that you research universities prior to applying to this course, to ensure your chosen university accepts this Diploma and the credits and graded units available for each subject area.

Whilst we have confidence that the Access to Higher Education Diplomas are compliant and sufficient to form part of a University application, East Sussex College will not be able to accept any liability for the inability of any Access to Higher Education learner to secure an offer from a Higher Education establishment due to the individual set requirement of each university or higher education institution.

HOW DO I KNOW IF THIS IS THE RIGHT COURSE FOR ME?

East Sussex College offer a 14-day cooling-off period for this course. This period allows you to evaluate the course and online study method, while also giving the college a chance to assess your suitability. in particular whether you can produce work to meet the academic standards.

East Sussex College offer a 14-day cooling-off period for this course. This period allows you to evaluate the course and online study method.

You are liable for the full course fees after 14 days from the start date stated in your learning and funding letter which will be issued after your application has been processed.

This process ensures that both the student and the institution can make informed decisions about the educational journey ahead.

If you take out an Advanced Learner Loan to cover your fees, then this will be activated 14 days from the course start date stated in your learning and funding letter.

If you wish to withdraw, you may cancel your enrolment by notifying the Administration Team in writing (by e-mail) prior to day 14 and you will owe nothing. After 14 days, you will owe the full course fee plus an administration charge, in line with the ESCG Tuition Fee Policy https://www.escg.ac.uk/docs/policies/tuition-fee-policy/

TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS

From the start of the course, you will need to ensure you have the following in place:

  • PC, Laptop, Tablet (smart phones are not recommended as aren’t fully compatible with the VLE)
  • Reliable internet access

PAYING FOR YOUR COURSE

• If you are 23 or under and have no prior Level 3 qualification or higher, then you may be entitled to a tuition fee waiver*
*subject to eligibility and availability check

• If you are over 19 years-old and have a full Level 3 qualification you have two options: an Advanced Learner Loan or self-funding.

ADVANCED LEARNER LOANS

  • This Government loan will be paid directly to the college and is linked to your attendance.
  • You will start to repay your loan when you start to earn over £25,000 per annum (correct at time of posting).
  • If you take out an Advanced Learner Loan to fund an Access to HE Diploma, then go on to complete a higher education course, you’ll be eligible to have the balance of your Advanced Learner Loan written off. However, if you don’t complete either course, you won’t be eligible to have the balance written off and will need to repay your loan in full.

For more information about Advanced Learner Loans visit:
Advanced Leaner Loan Guide to Terms and Conditions for courses starting on or after 1st August 2024

SELF-FUNDING OPTION

The college can offer to options to pay the full amount upfront or to opt for a payment plan. The latter often involves splitting the total cost into several instalments, which in this case, is four payments spread over four months. The initial payment is usually taken at the time of enrolment and serves as a non-refundable deposit.

Download Enrolment Form Payment Options QAA Access to HE write-off factsheet Pre-Course Questionnaire Unit Breakdown