Access to HE Diploma (Medicine) is a Level 3 qualification designed for adult learners who want to progress to medical, dental or healthcare degrees but do not have traditional qualifications. This intensive course, delivered over 34 weeks (from January to December) provides the scientific knowledge, academic skills and professional preparation needed to apply for competitive university programmes such as Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences.
Many students join us without traditional Level 3 qualifications such as A levels or BTECs. The Access course, which is regulated by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA), offers a genuine second chance to enter higher education. We understand that returning to study after a break can feel challenging, and that academic confidence may take time to rebuild. That’s why you will be supported by an enthusiastic, experienced teaching team who are committed to helping you succeed.
Delivered in a supportive university environment, the course combines academic study with tailored activities designed to help you explore careers in medicine and healthcare, gain insight into the profession, and prepare competitive applications. This includes support with UCAS applications, personal statements, and the wider expectations of progression to highly selective courses.
While many Access courses are delivered in colleges, you will study in a university setting, helping you feel prepared and confident about your next step into higher education.
Alongside the academic programme, students enrolled on the Access to Medicine Diploma will have the opportunity to participate in a comprehensive programme of enrichment activities designed specifically for those considering careers in medicine and healthcare.
Before applying, please check the entry requirements to ensure you are ready to start in January. If you do not yet have the required Level 2 English and Maths, we also offer a Level 2 course. This provides an excellent stepping stone, allowing you to gain essential qualifications, experience Level 3 study, and prepare for an Access to HE Diploma.
Book your place at our next Access information event
Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.
A wide range of engaging and interactive teaching and learning activities are used across all subjects to support different learning styles. Lessons are designed to encourage active participation, with opportunities for discussion, practical tasks, and student‑led activities.
You will experience a variety of approaches from session to session. Some lessons focus on group work and collaboration, helping you develop communication and teamwork skills, while others encourage independent research and investigation, preparing you for the expectations of higher education.
All scheduled teaching is tutor‑led, with sessions carefully planned to suit the needs, experience, and goals of each group. This flexible approach means learning is relevant, supportive, and inclusive. By experiencing different teaching methods and study approaches, you will also gain first‑hand insight into effective learning strategies thus helping you become a more confident and independent learner.
Enrichment
Our optional enrichment programme runs alongside the taught curriculum, providing valuable insight into healthcare careers and supporting the journey to competitive university courses such as medicine, dentistry and other allied health professions.
Recognising that relevant work experience can be difficult to access, the programme combines real-world insight with high-quality simulated experiences. Students will explore patient journeys, clinical decision-making, communication skills, teamwork and professionalism, helping them develop the values, behaviours and reflective skills expected of future healthcare professionals.
Dedicated application support is embedded throughout the year, including guidance on UCAS applications and personal statements, preparation for admissions tests such as the UCAT, and structured interview preparation. Students will also have opportunities to take part in mock interviews with academic staff and healthcare professionals, helping them build confidence and perform effectively in competitive selection processes.
Drawing on the University’s widening participation and healthcare outreach work, as well as links with regional partners and the developing medical school, the programme equips students with the insight and experience to progress successfully into higher education and beyond.
How You Will Be Assessed
Assessment types may include essay writing, presentations, written tasks, academic posters, and exams, depending on the unit being studied.
All assessments are clearly explained at the start of each unit, so you know exactly what is expected. You will receive ongoing support from your tutors, with guidance, examples, and structured activities to help prepare you for each assessment type particularly if exams are something you feel less confident about.
Assessments are designed to be purposeful and engaging, allowing you to apply what you have learned in lessons, independent study, and wider reading to topics linked to your interests. This approach helps build confidence, develop academic skills, and prepare you for the assessment methods used in higher education.
After completing your Access course, you can progress onto a degree within the medical sciences, with many students aiming to enter medicine. This pathway can lead to a career as a doctor, working in roles such as general practice or hospital medicine, diagnosing and treating patients and contributing to the wider healthcare system.
The course also provides progression opportunities into a wide range of other science-based and healthcare degrees, including dentistry, radiography and biomedical science. These pathways can lead to careers such as dentists, diagnostic radiographers and biomedical scientists, who play a vital role in diagnosing and treating disease, often working within NHS hospitals, laboratories and specialist services.
A medical sciences degree can also open doors to careers in clinical research, healthcare science, and the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Graduates may work as clinical scientists, research scientists or in roles supporting the development of new treatments and technologies.
With over 50 specialisms available within healthcare science alone, and more than 350 career roles across the NHS, this pathway offers varied and rewarding opportunities for those looking to make a difference in patient care and public health.
Following successful completion of the Access Diploma, students typically progress to higher education before entering professional healthcare careers. For further information about your career prospects, you can contact our careers team at careers@derby.ac.uk.
The University of Derby Access to Business course gave me confidence, structure, and the academic skills needed for higher education. It improved my writing, research, and critical thinking, while helping me believe in my potential. It changed my direction in life and prepared me successfully to progress onto studying Law.
Jack Wright
The course gave me a real insight into “university life,” teaching me how to reference, write academically, and develop the essential skills needed for degree-level study. It provided a strong foundation that prepared me for the demands of my nursing degree. It is a challenging course—what you put into it is what you get out. The support from lecturers was excellent; they were always willing to help and motivate me to reach my full potential. I completed the course with mostly distinctions, meeting the requirements to progress onto Adult Nursing at the University of Derby. The experience helped me grow not only academically but also personally, building my confidence and shaping me as a professional. It took four years to become a nurse, and now I have three years of practice under my belt. I am currently working as a Registered Nurse in Neurology: a career path that started with this course. I would highly recommend it to anyone considering a future in healthcare, as it opens doors, builds confidence, and provides a clear pathway into a rewarding career.
Kenley Fairbrother
I was 37 when I took that Access course and I don't think I'd have finished or stuck it out if it wasn't for the genuine camaraderie I found in the class I worked in. I don't think it's possible to understate how important it is to build up confidence in people who, like myself, might have previously failed at education, or struggled in other aspects of their life. I can wholeheartedly recommend the course to any young adult who wants to get themselves into higher education. If you're willing to put the work in, then you'll find the support you get at the University of Derby will be enough to take you further than you ever dreamed.
Benjamin Kirkman-Halford
You will need to be 19 years of age or above on 31 August 2026.
Medicine: GCSE 9-6/A-B in Mathematics, English Language and two sciences
All other intended degrees: GCSE 9-4/A-C in Mathematics and English Language
If you do not already hold the necessary qualifications, we also offer Level 2 English and Maths courses. To receive further information on these, please register your interest online, email access@derby.ac.uk or call 01332 591080.
Teaching hours
Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.
Course updates
The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.
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