Study Medicine or Dentistry Without A Levels

The Access to Higher Education Diploma (Medicine) is a Level 3 qualification regulated by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) and awarded by Open College Network South East England (Laser Learning Awards).

It is nationally recognised by UK universities as an alternative to A Levels for entry into Medicine, Dentistry, Biomedical Science, and other healthcare-related degrees.

This flexible online and blended programme is designed for students who aspire to study Medicine, Dentistry or Medical Sciences but do not have traditional qualifications. You’ll gain the academic foundation, professional behaviours, and study skills required for university success.

• Accredited by Laser Learning Awards
• Regulated by QAA (subject descriptor compliant)
• Fully online with weekly live lessons
• Recorded lessons and self-paced modules for flexible study
• Tutor and academic support
• Affordable tuition with instalment payment options
• Start anytime with monthly intakes
• Study at your own pace and complete on your schedule

The Access to HE Diploma (Medicine) is structured to provide a rigorous and focused academic preparation for medical study. To meet the academic entry requirements commonly set by UK medical schools, learners must achieve a minimum of 39 graded Level 3 credits in core scientific subjects. These credits are designed to be equivalent to A-level study and demonstrate readiness for the scientific and analytical demands of a medical degree.

This includes 15 graded credits in Chemistry, 15 graded credits in Biology or Human Biology, and 9 graded credits in other Science or Mathematics. Achievement in these subjects is typically a key condition of university offers, with many medical schools requiring high grades across the majority of the 39 graded credits.

In addition, learners must complete 15 ungraded credits covering numerical skills, study skills and professional behaviours, in line with the QAA-approved subject descriptor for Medicine.

• Graded Mandatory Units (45 Credits)
• Biology / Human Biology (15 credits)
• Cells, Tissues and Organs for Healthcare (3 credits)
• Blood, Circulation and Gaseous Exchange (3 credits)
• Digestion and the Liver (3 credits)
• Homeostasis for Healthcare (3 credits)
• Medical Biochemistry (3 credits)
• Chemistry (15 credits)
• Fundamentals of Chemistry (3 credits)
• Equilibria, Acids and Buffers (3 credits)
• Reaction Kinetics and Energetics (3 credits)
• Separation and Analysis (3 credits)
• Medical Chemistry (3 credits)
• Physics & Mathematics (9 credits)
• Medical Physics 1 and 2 (6 credits)
• Statistics (3 credits)
• Graded optional units in Biology and/or Chemistry (6 credits) - Choose two
• The Musculoskeletal System (3 credits)
• Disease and Body Defence (3 credits)
• Reproductive Biology (3 credits)
• Drugs and Food Additives (3 credits)
• Pharmacology for Healthcare (3 credits)
• Physics for Radiation (3 credits)
• Introduction to Psychology (3 credits)
• Ungraded Mandatory Units (12 Credits)
• Use and Comprehension of Numerical Data for Medicine (3 credits)
• Study Skills for Medicine (6 credits)
• Professional Behaviours for Medical Practitioners (3 credits)
• Ungraded Optional units (3 credits) - Choose one
• Doctor-Patients Relationship (3 credits)
• Critical Thinking (3 credits)

Graduates of this Diploma have progressed to degrees such as:

• Medicine (MBBS, MBChB)
• Dentistry & Dental Hygiene
• Biomedical Science
• Pharmacy & Pharmacology
• Nursing, Radiography, Physiotherapy, Veterinary Medicine

• Minimum age 19 years old
• GCSE Grade 5 (or equivalent Level 2 qualification) in English Language and Mathematics.
• GCSE Grade 5 (or equivalent Level 2 qualification) in Combined Science, or separate science qualifications including at least two of the following subjects:
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Science qualifications must have been achieved within five years of the programme start date.

Alternative Entry Route

Applicants who do not currently meet the academic entry requirements may be eligible to enrol on our Level 2 Pre-Access to Higher Education programmes in English, Mathematics, and Science. These courses are designed to help learners develop the knowledge and skills required for progression to the Access to HE Diploma (Medicine).

• Assessment includes:
• Written assignments and reports
• Workbooks
• Virtual lab experiment
• Essays and research projects
• Presentations and reflective logs
• All assessments are internally verified and externally moderated by Laser Learning Awards under QAA regulations.

• Course Fee: £960
• Awarding Body Registration Fee: Included in Course Fee.
• Flexible monthly instalments available.

• Most students complete the programme within 9 months.
• Learners can start at different points during the year and study at a pace that suits their circumstances.
• Students who can dedicate more study time may complete the diploma in as little as 6 months.
• Academic support, live tutorials, and access to learning materials are provided for up to 12 months.