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Medical Studies and Allied Health: Access

Student using a microscope in a science classroom filled with lab equipment and colourful bottles.
Qualification Qualifications Explained
Access
Study Mode
Full Time, Part Time
Duration

1 Academic Year - 3-4 Days p/w
Start date
Aug 2026
Campus
Springburn
Apply now

Course overview

Your gateway to university study in Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine, and the wider health sciences.

This Scottish Wider Access Programme (SWAP) course is designed for motivated adults returning to education who aspire to study Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine, Pharmacy, Biomedical Science, or related Life Sciences at university.  Further information about SWAP Access courses can be found on the SWAP website.

Delivered in partnership with SWAPWest, the programme provides formal progression routes to:

  • University of Glasgow – Medicine (MBChB), Dentistry (BDS), Veterinary Medicine (BVMS)
  • University of Strathclyde – Pharmacy (MPharm)
  • Glasgow Caledonian University – Biomedicine and Oral Health
  • University of the West of Scotland, University of Stirling, and SRUC – a wide range of science degrees

You’ll develop strong foundations in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Communication, while building the critical study and research skills needed to succeed in demanding health-science degrees.

This is a full-time, intensive course, with classes timetabled between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday. It requires complete commitment and should be considered carefully in terms of workload, childcare, and finances.

This course is ideal for you if:

  • Adults who have been out of education for three years or more (Nat 5 quals) and 5 years (for Highers)
  • Learners who want to progress to a medicine, veterinary medicine , dentistry , pharmacy or Life Science course
  • Those who have recent and relevant experience of working, volunteering or shadowing and can show development of skills and attributes required for the profession they would like to apply to
  • Those who do not already hold a Higher National Certificate (HNC) or degree
  • Students looking for a SWAP route into university or higher-level science study

ℹ️ This course is not suitable for recent school leavers or graduates. School leavers should apply to NQ Steps to Science. Graduates should contact medical schools directly about graduate-entry pathways.

What you will learn

You’ll study a wide range of science-based subjects and core skills to prepare for university entry, including:

  • Biology – human anatomy, physiology, and cellular biology
  • Chemistry – essential chemical principles and laboratory techniques
  • Mathematics – numerical reasoning and data analysis for science
  • Communication – academic writing, presentation, and study skills

You’ll also build transferable skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and independent learning - all key to success at degree level.

Madde, Access to Medicine student, being interviewed in a college learning space at Glasgow Kelvin College.

It’s Never Too Late to Change Your Path 🦷✨

After working in IT, Madde realised her true passion lay elsewhere — and made the decision to return to education at 30.

Through our Access to Medicine course at Glasgow Kelvin College, she found the perfect stepping stone into science and is now working towards her goal of studying Dentistry at university.

A new path. A clear goal. A future in healthcare.

View on YouTube

Entry requirements

✅ You have been out of education for three years or more (Nat 5 quals) and 5 years (for Highers)

✅ You want to follow the progression routes listed in the progression opportunities section below

✅ You do not already hold a Higher National Certificate (HNC) or degree

✅ You are looking for a SWAP route into university or higher-level science study

✅ Applications are welcomed from care experienced student, or students that have experienced exceptional circumstances and educational disadvantage.  These will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the SWAPWest office.  

If your application is successful, you will be invited into the college for a selection event.  Several dates will be made available to you. This event will include an interview (where we will discuss aspects of your application in more detail), a short test (to assess your science, maths and communications skills) and a chance for you to ask questions and see the college.  

ℹ️ Entry is competitive and based on your application, personal statement and performance at interview.

Personal Statement Requirements:

  • Include the following in your application:
  • Details of relevant work or voluntary experience in health, science, or animal care.
  • Your career aims and the university route you wish to pursue.
  • Examples of your skills, motivation, and commitment to study.

Applications missing this key information are unlikely to progress to interview.

Additional requirements:

  • Applicants must satisfy the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) (Scotland) Act 2007 criteria for health-related study.
  • Initial academic review at course start ensures you are placed on the correct pathway; adjustments may be made to support your success.

ℹ️ For this course, if English is not your first language

  • you need to have SQA ESOL Higher (or equivalent, click here to see equivalent qualifications)
  • If you do not have a formal ESOL qualification but your language skills meet this level, you should apply for your course and then contact our Admissions team to organise an internal language assessment  here at the College.

Career Opportunities

This course can lead to a wide range of health-science careers, including:

⚕️ Medicine 

🦷 Dentistry 

🐾 Veterinary Medicine 

💊 Pharmacy 

🧪 Biomedical or Life Sciences 

🩺 Physiotherapy and Allied Health Professions

It also supports future employment in research, laboratory science, or healthcare roles.

Future prospects

Successful completion allows direct progression to:

  • University of Glasgow: Medicine (MBChB), Dentistry (BDS), Veterinary Medicine (BVMS)
  • University of Strathclyde: Pharmacy (MPharm)
  • Glasgow Caledonian University: Biomedicine and Oral Health
  • University of the West of Scotland, University of Stirling, and SRUC: various Life Science degrees
  • Many learners also progress internally to HNC Science programmes at Glasgow Kelvin College.

As an internal candidate, you will be prioritised for places. Completing these courses can open doors to a wide range of well-paid roles in healthcare, research, and scientific industries worldwide.

I love my college, all the staff are welcoming and super helpful. The lecturers are very professional and they try to help everyone as much as they can. The college provides funding to those who need childcare support or have financial difficulties.

I think Access Medicine is the most challenging course out of all the other Access courses and it’s heavily based on Biology, Chemistry and Maths. We also get to learn about common diseases and treatments options which is so fascinating. I would say it is a very thorough, solid course that prepares everyone for commencing a medicine degree.

Hossein Hosseini Access to Medicine SWAP

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Read What Our Student Said

Video Transcript – Madde: Access Medical Studies and Allied Health

My name is Madde. I'm on the Access to Medicine course.

I came to this course because I was away from education for a while. I worked in IT.

I always wanted to go back to school so I wasn't really sure what to do.

For the past few years during lockdown I kind of decided I wanted to do something maybe with medicine and then I realised I really wanted to do dentistry and I found this college that prepares you for dentistry specifically as well as for medicine.

One of the things that was really surprising to me is that I kind of like biology. I was always a bit scared of chemistry and maths. I actually really come to like it.

When I started doing it here, it's not as difficult as I thought it would be. It's probably because of all the support that we get here. You can ask all the questions you want.

So one of the most difficult things to do for me this year was applying for university. This year I actually applied for dentistry. I've done the UCOT, I've done the application and I've had the interview. I did a mock interview here as well, which was really helpful.

If there's anything I could tell myself. The reason I started so late, because I'm 30 now, this is my second year, was because I was scared. I was really scared of maths. I was really scared of chemistry.

In the end, what I would tell myself, anyone else, take the jump. It's not as scary once you're here and you can definitely do it.

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