Access to HE Diploma (Medicine) at QAA Access to HE: eligibility, deadline and what it gives you
The Access to HE Diploma (Medicine) is a one-year full-time college course for adults without A-levels in Biology and Chemistry, validated by QAA agencies such as Agored Cymru and taught at FE colleges across England and Wales. You apply to the college directly from about November, study from September to June, and apply to medical school through UCAS during the course. Bristol and Cardiff give Access students a guaranteed interview; most other schools accept the diploma at a set credit profile.
- Closes
- Opens soon
- For
- Adults students, medicine and dentistry
- Where
- England and Wales
- Gives you
- Guaranteed interview
What you get
Completing Access to HE Diploma (Medicine) gives you a guaranteed interview for medicine and dentistry at QAA Access to HE.
- Bristol: guaranteed interview for Medicine and Dentistry for Home applicants with an Access to HE course on UCAS
- Cardiff: guaranteed interview for A100 for the Agored Cymru Access to HE (Medicine) diploma only
- Newcastle: PARTNERS and contextual Access applicants need 30 credits at Distinction and 15 at Merit instead of all Distinctions
- Most other schools accept the diploma without a formal benefit, typically 45 Level 3 credits at Distinction including Biology and Chemistry, and many require 3 years out of education
To get it, you must
- Bristol: be able to meet the full offer, including GCSEs, and score above the UCAT threshold
- Cardiff: meet the minimum entry requirements and email medadmissions@cardiff.ac.uk before applying
Who can apply
You need to
- Study a one-year Access to HE Diploma (Medicine) at an FE college in England or Wales
- Be an adult learner, usually over 18 and out of full-time education for at least 3 years
- Have GCSEs in Science, Maths and English (Coleg Gwent asks for 5 at grade 6 or above)
There are no contextual criteria: anyone who meets the requirements above can apply.
What it involves
- Sit the UCAT in the year you apply to medical school
Dates
- Applications open
- November 2026 at most colleges for a September 2027 start
- Applications close
- Rolling until full, usually spring to summer 2027
- Programme runs
- Sep 2027 to Jun 2028, one year full time at your college
- Apply to university
- UCAS deadline 15 October 2027 for 2028 entry
How to apply
Apply through the Access to HE course search page. It is run by FE colleges under QAA-licensed Access Validating Agencies such as Agored Cymru.
Frequently asked questions
Does Access to HE Diploma (Medicine) guarantee an interview?
Yes, if you complete the programme and meet its academic conditions. Bristol: guaranteed interview for Medicine and Dentistry for Home applicants with an Access to HE course on UCAS.
Who is eligible for Access to HE Diploma (Medicine)?
Study a one-year Access to HE Diploma (Medicine) at an FE college in England or Wales. You need to be an adult learner, usually over 18 and out of full-time education for at least 3 years, have GCSEs in Science, Maths and English (Coleg Gwent asks for 5 at grade 6 or above).
When is the Access to HE Diploma (Medicine) deadline?
This cycle's closing date has not been published. Rolling until full, usually spring to summer 2027. Applications november 2026 at most colleges for a September 2027 start.
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