Level: 3 | Duration: 1 Year | Start Date: 08/09/25
Online Study: You will need to travel to college for the induction sessions at the start of the course and also any drop-in progress/support meetings throughout the course. They are NOT fully distance learning courses. See below for more information.
If you would like kickstart a new career or progress into a role that requires a degree in Science, an Access to HE Diploma in Science with a Biophysical pathway will help you to gain the qualifications to apply to university.
- Flexible online learning with the added security of face-to-face induction and weekly support sessions when needed
- Pursue a career in biophysics or related fields
- A qualification which is equivalent to 3 A-Levels for entry to university
- Science Access course assessed through end-of-unit assignments with no exams!
Course Content:
If you need to gain a degree in science to achieve your career goals but don’t have the qualifications for university the course is great for you. The course will prepare you for a university degree, giving you with a solid understanding of:
- Biology and Physics
- Human Nutrition
- Cell Biology and other crucial topics
Entry Requirements
- You will need GCSE English at Grade A-C (9-4) or equivalent (Level 2 Functional Skills) and GCSE Maths at Grade A-C (9-4) or equivalent (Level 2 Functional Skills) - you will need to provide us with written evidence from your chosen Universities that they will accept Functional Skills for your year of entry to University
- Some Universities will only accept GCSEs to meet entry requirements. They will also require you to have additional GCSEs at Grade A-C (4-9) for some courses, including a science for some pathways
- As the course is fully online you must have strong ICT skills to enable you to cope with the demands of the course
- You will also need to have your own laptop
University Entry Criteria: Each university will set its own admission criteria. You will need to check the entry requirements of your chosen university and course.
The specialist Access tutors alongside the ACE/ Careers team at Riverside College can support you with your application to university. You are likely to require:
- A certain number of credits passed with a merit or a distinction grade* (see the Modules tab for the individual modules included in this course)
- GCSE Grade C/4 or above in Maths and English alongside literacy and numeracy assessments provided by the university
- A face-to-face interview at the university
- Course-related work placements or work experience
Course Fees:
Fee: £3,384
You can apply for an ADVANCED LEARNER LOAN; the Loan eligibility does not depend on your income and there are no credit checks. The loan will cover the full cost of your Access Course, this will be written off when you complete your degree – saving you up to £9,000 in fees and not using any of your Student Loans allowance.Assessments:
There are no exams on the Access to HE course, you will be assessed via academic reports, essays, case study analysis, illustrated mind map, illustrated report, worksheet, journal article, portfolio, academic poster, presentation (video and audio recording), revision guide, series of questions, academic writing skills tasks.Why choose Riverside College:
- Flexible online learning for your Access to Higher Education qualifications with the support of weekly face-to-face drop-in support sessions when and if needed*
- Initial face-to-face induction to fully prepare you for your studies
- Up to six hours per week of drop-in support sessions with tutors when needed (Daytime and Evening sessions available)
- Interactive online sessions (Assessed and marked online).
- Access college facilities including the Learning Resource Centre, Study Rooms with PCs and printing, UCAS support, and bursaries
- Streamline your qualification to fit into your spare time giving you the option to complete the Access to Higher Education faster.
- Social groups offering tutor and peer support and encouragement.
- Ofsted Outstanding Access teaching and support teams
- Dedicated specialist Access teachers with over 10 years' experience in successfully supporting adults to progress onto degrees
- Study for FREE, saving up to £9,000 in fees AND you won’t use up any of your Student Loans allowance. See the ADVANCED LEARNER LOAN for more details.
Career
This qualification is the start of your journey to becoming a biophysicist. After successful completion of this course, you could apply to university to study one of the following degrees:
- Biophysics
- Physics
- Biology
Other carers to consider are:
- Physiotherapist
- Dental Hygienist
- Radiographer
- Physicist
- Biomedical
- Science
- Optometrist
- Paramedic
Unit 1: Academic Writing Skills
On completion of this unit you will:- Be able to write with relevance in responding to an academic task
- Know how to interpret and discuss ideas and issues in responding to a set, academic writing task
- Be able to summarise for academic purposes, selecting key points, information or central ideas
Unit 2: Preparing a Written Assignment
On completion of this unit you will:- Understand how to use key information sources
- Understand why sources are acknowledged and referenced
- Understand a range of reading strategies
- Understand note-making methods
- Understand how to plan draft and produce a written assignment
Unit 3: Cell Biology
On completion of this unit you will:- Understand the structure and organisation of cells
- Understand cellular metabolism
- Understand how cells grow and divide
Unit 4: Electromagnetic Spectrum
On completion of this unit you will:- Understand the principles and types of electromagnetic waves
- Understand the properties of visible and ultraviolet light
- Understand the properties of microwaves and infrared
- Understand the biohazards of ultraviolet and infrared radiation
- Understand the hazards and uses of X- Rays in medical applications
Unit 5: Cell Division & Heredity
On completion of this unit you will:- Demonstrate a knowledge of cell division
- Demonstrate an understanding of heredity and genetic variation
Unit 6: Radioactivity
On completion of this unit you will:- Understand the main types of ionising radiations and their measurement
- Understand radioactive decay
- Understand the practical applications of ionising radiation and radioisotopes and their use with acceptable safety
Unit 7: Human Reproduction, Growth & Development
On completion of this unit you will:- Understand the structure and function of the human reproductive systems
- Understand how hormones regulate the reproductive system throughout life
- Understand human development from conception to birth
Unit 8: Medical Physics
On completion of this unit you will:- Understand atomic structure
- Understand the nature of alpha, beta and gamma radiation, and X-rays
- Understand the main uses of ionising radiation in monitoring and treatment
- Understand how radio isotopes are used in healthcare
- Understand the health applications of a selected part of electromagnetic spectrum
- Understand how ultrasound is used in healthcare
Unit 9: Trigonometry
On completion of this unit you will:- Be able to use trigonometrical functions
- Be able to use trigonometry to solve equations and problems
- Be able to use trigonometric functions and identifies in the context of proofs
- Be able to produce trigonometric graphs
Unit 10: The Human Endocrine & Nervous System
On completion of this unit you will:- Understand the anatomy, organisation and function of the nervous system
- Understand how the endocrine system co-ordinates body functions
- Understand the role of the nervous and endocrine systems homeostasis
Unit 11: Physics
On completion of this unit you will:- Understand the connection between force and motion and be able to use Newton's Laws of Motion
- Understand conservation of energy and momentum
- Understand the concepts and vocabulary of wave motion
- Understand the straight line model of the behaviour of light
- Understand the behaviour and properties of magnets and magnetic fields, electric charge and electric current
Unit 12: Human Immunity
On completion of this unit you will:- Understand non-specific defences against disease
- Understand specific immunity
- Understand the biology of vaccination
Unit 13: Human Disease and Prevention
On completion of this unit you will:- Understand the categories and causes of disease
- Understand the epidemiology of disease
- Understand preventative measures for a chosen disease or condition
Unit 14: Optics & Sound
On completion of this unit you will:- Understand the Laws of Reflection
- Understand the Laws of Refraction
- Understand the action of convex and concave lenses
- Understand the simple optics of the eye
- Understand the nature of transverse and longitudinal wave motions
- Understand how the ear detects sound waves
Unit 15: The Human Muscular and Skeletal System
On completion of this unit you will:- Understand the anatomy, organisation and function of the muscular system
- Understand the anatomy, organisation and function of the skeletal system
- Understand how the muscular system and skeletal system interact in locomotion
Unit 16: The Human Nutrition and the Digestive System
On completion of this unit you will:- Understand the structure and functions of the digestive system
- Understand nutrients and their sources
- Understand the components of a healthy diet and the consequences of an unhealthy diet
Unit 17: Mechanics
On completion of this unit you will:- Be able to do vector addition calculations
- Be able to do vector resolution calculations
- Be able to do uniformly accelerated motion calculations
- Be able to do projectile motion calculations
- Be able to apply Newton's Laws of Motion
- Be able to do calculations involving the principles of momentum and its conservation
- Be able to do work/force calculations
- Understand internal energy
- Understand the ideal gas laws
- Understand the simple kinetic theory of gases
Course Features
- Lecture 0
- Quiz 0
- Duration 10 weeks
- Skill level All levels
- Students 0
- Assessments Yes
