If you live in England, you might be able to do this course for FREE; see the ‘Funding Information’ section below for more details. Apply today, and our dedicated admissions team will confirm whether you qualify for a free place, with no obligation.
If you’re interested in a rewarding career, are aged 19 or over and aspire to go to university to study for your degree, our Access to Higher Education Diploma Online is the perfect pathway for you.
Our fully online Access to HE Diploma (Environmental Science) is widely recognised and accepted by UK universities, making it your fast-track route to gain the skills, qualification and solid academic foundation you need to progress to university and a fulfilling career in the profession you have always wanted!
The course is validated and moderated by Ascentis under license from the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education and comprises 60 credits, of which 45 are graded and 15 are ungraded, with each component purposefully designed to maximise your development and prepare you for successful completion of the qualification to confidently progress to university.
Benefits of studying with Activate Learning:
We believe that a busy life shouldn’t be a barrier to a better career. Our Flexible-Structured Model gives you the best of both worlds: the freedom to study when you want, with the structure you need to stay on track.
- Focused Unit Progression: Study one unit at a time. This lets you immerse yourself in a single subject, master the concepts, and move on to the next.
- Flexible Study, Fixed Milestones: Each unit has a fixed submission date to keep you on track to your diploma, but you decide when and where you study.
- The “Webinar-to-1-1” Cycle: Each unit begins with a live group webinar held in the evening. Your tutor will guide you through the requirements, explain key concepts, and offer assignment guidance.
- Tailored 1-1 support: Following the webinar, you will receive support tailored to you by your subject tutor to address your specific questions.
- Stay Connected: We know life happens. All webinars are recorded and available online, so you can catch up whenever it suits you.
- Ongoing Communication: Support is always just a click or a call away. You can reach your tutor via email or arranged phone calls, ensuring you never feel isolated in your learning journey.
- UCAS Support: Personal statement review and academic reference.
- Careers: Access to our dedicated careers team.
- Funding: Available through the Advanced Learner Loan.
What you'll learn
The main aim of this course is to prepare students for study at university. Students will receive subject-specific study skills preparation, as well as tuition in subjects that are relevant to their chosen degree course.
You will study modules in Study Skills, Environmental Science, Biology and Chemistry. Credits are gained through the coursework. We would advise you to check with your chosen University to ensure they accept these units for your chosen course before you apply.
In addition to developing subject knowledge, you will enhance your communication, personal, and study skills through a core programme that also provides one-to-one tutorial support.
How you'll learn and be assessed
- Assignment-based, self-directed, independent study, supported by regular tutor guidance.
- Webinars and online forums
- All assessments are internally and externally verified through a rigorous and robust process to ensure grading is consistent, fair, and provides meaningful developmental feedback.
- You will study one subject at a time, with a tutor who has specialist subject knowledge assigned to support and guide you throughout your learning journey.
Progression
This pathway is designed for individuals wishing to progress into a career in the field of:
- Ecology
- Conservation Science
- Environmental Biology
- Environmental Science
- Environmental Science and Management
- Sustainable Business
- Global Development
- Wildlife Conservation
Please note: Entry requirements can vary between universities and courses. You are strongly advised to check the specific requirements of your chosen institutions to ensure this qualification is suitable for your intended progression.
Entry requirements
You must meet the following entry criteria:
- Be aged 19+ at the start of the academic year.
- Be living in the UK.
- Hold a grade C/4 or above in GCSE maths and GCSE English Language or equivalent such as Functional Skills Level 2. If you hold international qualifications, we can assess these to see if you meet the criteria.
*For your application to be processed, we are required to view your official certificates. You can request these from the awarding body if you no longer have them.
You will NOT be able to study maths and/or English GCSEs alongside this course
Additional information
Funding information
To be eligible for funding, you must live in England. If you are in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, you will need to self-fund the course, and we offer a monthly instalment plan to fit your budget.
Level 3 Entitlement fee remission: If you are aged 19-23 and do not already have a full Level 3 qualification, you may be eligible to study the course for free. This also depends on your location within the UK, but we will check this for you during your application process.
19+ Advanced Learner Loan: If you are aged over 23, or you are 19-23 with a full Level 3 qualification, you can fund the course with the Advanced Learner Loan supplied by Student Finance England. These loans are not means-tested or assessed against your credit rating and will be wiped from your records if you progress to university and complete your studies! If you do not progress to university or a higher education course, you will not need to start paying back the loan until you earn over £25,725.00.
Remember: If you go on to study at university and complete a degree, the government will write off the loan for your Access course.
How to apply
Application to Learner Journey
1 – Submit your application: Apply on our website or ask for support via our Live Chat function.
2 – Complete an initial assessment: You will receive an assessment to complete so we can check your suitability.
3 – Assessment decision: If suitable, you will receive an offer to study the course with us.
4 – Complete your enrolment form: After you receive your offer, you will be sent an enrolment form to complete.
5 – Enrolled: Once completed and all details approved, you will be enrolled.
