Level 3
Medicine – Access to HE
The Access to Medicine course was created with a particular focus on widening participation to provide opportunities for those who would make excellent doctors, but who have faced barriers due to their educational and/or socioeconomic…
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Course overview
The Access to Medicine course was created with a particular focus on widening participation to provide opportunities for those who would make excellent doctors, but who have faced barriers due to their educational and/or socioeconomic circumstances.
The Medical Schools Council believes that an applicant’s chance of entering a medical degree programme should be dictated by factors such as academic ability, motivation and conscientiousness.
Factors like wealth or cultural background should not present any barrier to studying medicine.
How to apply
Find out more about our A Level pathways and how to apply
Who is this course for?
This course is for adults over 19 who want to enter Higher Education. You should already have GCSE Science, Maths and English at Grade 6/B or above.
Please note: This course is not suitable for applicants who have recently failed to meet the desired A Level or degree results for entry to medicine.
Applicants wishing to apply to Bristol University for Medicine must have GCSE Maths at Grade 7/A or above.
What you’ll learn
In Chemistry the units for study are:
- Fundament Principles in Chemistry (6G)
- The Chemistry of Organic Compounds (6G)
- Concepts in Physical Chemistry (3G)
- The Chemistry of Aqueous Solutions (3G)
- Planning and Conducting a Scientific Investigation (3G)
In Biology for Medicine the units for study are:
- Fundamental Concepts in Cellular Biology (3G)
- Principles in Human Digestion and Nutrition (3G)
- The Circulatory and Respiratory Systems (3G)
- The Role of the Nervous and Endocrine Systems in Control (6G)
In Physics and Mathematics the units for study are:
- Motion, Energy Forces (3G)
- Waves (3G)
- Medical Imaging (3G)
- Use and Comprehension of Numerical Data (3UG M)
In Study Skills the units for study are:
- Professional Behaviours (3 UG M)
- Reading and Comprehension of Scientific writing (3 UG)
- Speaking and Listening Skills (3 UG)
- Examination Skills (3 UG)
Mandatory Units:
Key: 3 or 6 = number of credits; G = graded unit, UG = ungraded M = Mandatory units across all Access to Medicine courses
The Medicine pathway will enable you to undertake studies relating to a large range of science topics from all the key science subjects – Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Maths.
You will develop study skills and knowledge during your Access to Medicine diploma, which will qualify you to progress to the following degree level programmes:
- Applied Medical Sciences
- Biological Sciences
- Biomedical Sciences
- Biomedicine
- Bioscience
- Dentistry
- Medical Biochemistry
- Medical Bioscience
- Medical Physiology
- Medical Sciences
- Medicine
- Neuroscience
- Nutrition and Dietetics
- Ophthalmic Dispensing
- Optometry
- Pharmaceutical Science
- Pharmacology and Physiology
- Pharmacy
- Physiotherapy
- Podiatry
- Veterinary Medicine
- and a range of other combined and related degrees.
Entry requirements
Access to Medicine provides a route into medicine for mature learners who do not possess the usual formal qualifications, such as A Level Biology and Chemistry, or equivalent. Our Access to Medicine course is targeted at mature learners, who apply following an extended period out of full time education.
This course is not suitable for applicants who have recently failed to meet the desired A Level results for entry to medicine. Access course applicants will have had a gap in their formal education, gaining work and/or life experience during this time.
Many medical schools have GCSE requirements, so we require that applicants have at least a GCSE grade 6 (or B) in English, Maths and a Science.
Applicants wishing to apply to Bristol University for Medicine must have GCSE Maths at Grade 7/A or above. Medical schools often require high scores in the admissions tests UCAT, so we expect this to be achieved before starting the course.
Medical schools require applicants to demonstrate understanding of what a career in medicine as a caring profession involves.
Applicants may draw on relevant experience – either paid or voluntary, in health, caring or related areas – to demonstrate this understanding. Practical experience in hospices and residential homes, domestic caring responsibilities or employment in support roles are as appropriate as work in a conventional healthcare setting.
This experience will enable students to demonstrate an understanding of relevant skills and attributes required for Medicine. Where this experience is limited, Access course applicants need to gain further experience before applying to the course.
Guidance on Access to Medicine courses www.medschools.ac.uk
Future career and study
This course is designed primarily for applicants wishing to pursue a career in Medicine. It will, however, support applications for degrees in many related areas such as Biomedical Sciences, Pharmacy, Biochemistry, Diagnostic Imaging or Physiotherapy.
- It is essential that you know what you want to study at university or college
- Thoroughly research your intended university course and its entry requirements before you apply for an Access course
- We recommend you visit universities on their Open Days
Additional costs
As a City of Bristol College student, you may incur additional costs to attend your course. For example, it is likely you may need to pay for travel and stationery.
Many courses offer learning opportunities that you may need to pay for. This may include things like study visits and visiting speakers. We will let you know in advance if there will be additional costs.
If you are on a limited income, you may be able to receive help from our Learner Support Funding Bursary.