Extended Diploma vs Access to HE

Hi all,

Due to health issues, I couldn't start a level 3 course until now. I'm going to start a BTEC foundation diploma in health & social care in September, which can lead to an extended diploma.

However, I'll be 19 next year, so I could instead do an Access to HE, but I'm not sure whether I'll be able to put the foundation diploma on my UCAS as well as the Access.

Any advice on UCAS or extended diploma vs access to HE would be greatly appreciated :smile:

For reference, I'm looking at either Biomed or Psychology.

Reply 1

DataVenia

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

Original post by stringy-calyx

For reference, I'm looking at either Biomed or Psychology.

Not only will you be able to enter both the Foundation Diploma and the Access to HE Diploma on your UCAS application, you'd actually be required to enter both (if you do both). As UCAS say here, "You must enter all your qualifications from secondary education onwards".

As to whether you should go down the BTEC Foundation Diploma plus BTEC Extended Diploma, or the Access to HE Diploma route (or indeed the BTEC Foundation Diploma plus Access to HE Diploma option you mention above), this will likely depend on your personal preferences and the entry requirements of individual universities. Do you have any particular universities in mind?

Reply 2

stringy-calyx

So sorry took me so long to respond.

I'm looking at Keele, Surrey, York, and Loughborough (but I'm quite open to others). I'm just wondering if the extra foundation diploma would aid my application as it's technically more UCAS points and broadens my academic qualifications. I'm most concerned about the placement hours as I'm just getting back on my feet, but the extra experience should be worth it. Thanks so much for responding btw.

Reply 3

DataVenia

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

Original post by stringy-calyx

None of those universities accept UCAS points in the general sense (although Keele specify their requirements for an Access to HE course in terms of the UCAS points in earns). Instead, they specify the qualifications they accept and the grades they expect, so the "technically more UCAS points and broadens my academic qualifications" is unlikely to be relevant.

Here's what they say they need:

Biomedical Science

Keele (source)
• DDM in any of the following BTEC Extended Diplomas / National Extended Diplomas: Applied Science, Health and Social Care.
• 128 UCAS points in a Computing, Engineering, Health, Nursing, Medicine, Science, or Sports Access to HE Diploma including Distinction in at least 30 Level 3 credits and Merit in at least 15 Level 3 credits.

Surrey: (source)
• DDD-DDM in Applied Science.
• QAA-recognised Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits overall including 30 at Distinction and 15 at Merit - 27 at Distinction and 18 at Merit. | Required subjects: 15 credits in Biology or Chemistry and 15 credits in another science subject.

York: (source)
• BTEC National Extended Diploma DDD. We consider BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Applied Science (2016 syllabus) with all 7 mandatory units plus at least 2 units from 8,9,10,11,12,17,20.
• Access to Higher Education Diploma: 36 credits at Distinction and 9 credits at Merit or higher. Must include Level 3 modules in Biology and a second science.

Loughborough (source)
• BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Applied Science: DDD
• Access to HE Diploma not mentioned.

Psychology

Keele (source)
• DDM in any of the following BTEC Extended Diplomas / National Extended Diplomas: Applied Science, Health and Social Care.
• 122 UCAS points in any Access to HE Diploma including Distinction in at least 30 Level 3 credits

Surrey: (source)
• BTEC (QCF Level 3) Extended Diploma: DDD
• QAA-recognised Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits overall including 39 at Distinction and 6 at Merit.

York: (source)
• DDD. A science subject is essential. A second science subject may be desirable but is not essential. Please contact the department for more information.
• Obtain Access to HE Diploma (Science) with 39 credits at Distinction and 6 credits at Merit or higher. Other Access to HE Diplomas are considered but must include science/psychology modules.

Loughborough (source)
• BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma: DDD plus one A Level at grade B
• Access to HE Diploma not mentioned.

Reply 4

Arden University

Official Rep

Original post by stringy-calyx

Hi all,
Due to health issues, I couldn't start a level 3 course until now. I'm going to start a BTEC foundation diploma in health & social care in September, which can lead to an extended diploma.
However, I'll be 19 next year, so I could instead do an Access to HE, but I'm not sure whether I'll be able to put the foundation diploma on my UCAS as well as the Access.
Any advice on UCAS or extended diploma vs access to HE would be greatly appreciated :smile:

For reference, I'm looking at either Biomed or Psychology.

@Stringy-calyx
A big advantage is that either course should be free for you (if you haven't used up your Level 3 allocation - this means that pretty much everyone in the UK who have resided here for a certain period of time gets to do a Level 3 course for free). This covers both BTEC and Access. If anyone is reading this and you have already done a Level 3, even in a different subject or different type of course, you can apply for an Advanced Learner Loan via SFE. The big advantage of Access which is its unique selling point, is that if you gone on to complete your degree, your A.L.L for Access is completely written off when you graduate from Uni

Marc
Arden University Student Ambassador