The TSR Community Awards 2025 are now live >>

Access to HE (Medicine) Inquiry

Hello,

I am 20 years old and going to be joining the army this month and plan on doing 4 years so that I have a roof over my head while I get some qualifications so that I can go into university to hopefully study medicine.

I plan on doing a Access to HE (Medicine) course after my first year so if I do manage to finish it, I should have the qualification around my 2nd year with the army or so. What I am mainly worried about is this, due to the busy lifestyle that the army usually throws at you, I feel like my only option is doing a online one, preferably part time even.

Now to my main concern, I am aware of the fact that A-Levels are always going to be more accepted than Access courses but all the universities I am interested in are fine with Access courses, so I am not really worried about that part. What I am worried about is the fact that because I plan on doing a online one, I am worried about it's legitimacy.

So my question would be, if it is approved by QAA, can universities still reject your application even if you have enough credits to enter, because of the fact that it's an online course or do they not care? Would it be better if I somehow find time to go to some sort of a night class at an in-person collage to get this qualification or does it not change much?

Thank you for taking the time to read this, any answers or similar life experiences are gladly appreciated!

Reply 1

wombats

It's going to depend on the university. Some will flat out reject Access courses, others will specify the subject descriptor (usually Medicine), and some won't accept online versions. Usually they outline all of this in the entry requirements. Admissions departments are pretty good, in my experience, about answering questions, but try to be specific if you contact them, as they are busy, especially at this time of year.

You should also be aware that sometimes they want your Access course to have been completed in the three years before entry.

Reply 2

Arden University

Official Rep

Original post

by merryrose

Hello,
I am 20 years old and going to be joining the army this month and plan on doing 4 years so that I have a roof over my head while I get some qualifications so that I can go into university to hopefully study medicine.
I plan on doing a Access to HE (Medicine) course after my first year so if I do manage to finish it, I should have the qualification around my 2nd year with the army or so. What I am mainly worried about is this, due to the busy lifestyle that the army usually throws at you, I feel like my only option is doing a online one, preferably part time even.
Now to my main concern, I am aware of the fact that A-Levels are always going to be more accepted than Access courses but all the universities I am interested in are fine with Access courses, so I am not really worried about that part. What I am worried about is the fact that because I plan on doing a online one, I am worried about it's legitimacy.
So my question would be, if it is approved by QAA, can universities still reject your application even if you have enough credits to enter, because of the fact that it's an online course or do they not care? Would it be better if I somehow find time to go to some sort of a night class at an in-person collage to get this qualification or does it not change much?
Thank you for taking the time to read this, any answers or similar life experiences are gladly appreciated!

@merryrose

Hi,

If an Access to HE program has been validated by an awarding body like Open Awards (they do the ones for the North West) and is quality checked by the AQA then it should be O.K. I would check with the specific universities to see if there are particular online providers that they prefer - I have taught on Access to HE for over 10 years, but it has always been in an F.E college. Medicine is a highly competitive area so I would apply for a variety of Universities with different UCAS entry criteria.

Marc
Arden University Student Ambassador