SWAP Access to Life Sciences

Course overview

Life Sciences Access is a stepping stone to further education at the university level. You will develop your knowledge and understanding of biology, chemistry and mathematics. 

This is a full-time course taught at Edinburgh College’s Sighthill campus. Our Science department offers you the opportunity to study in purpose-built laboratories. These will support the development of your general and specialist practical skills whilst enhancing your theoretical understanding of science.

This is a Scottish Wider Access Programme (SWAP) meaning you can apply if you have few or no formal qualifications and have been out of full-time education for at least three years.

SWAP courses provide an alternative route into higher education designed to give you intensive academic preparation and the opportunity to develop the skills and confidence you need for higher education through recognised progression routes at colleges or universities in Scotland. For more information on SWAP courses, please go to the SWAP East Portal. 

What you will learn

You will cover a range of National 5 and Higher-Level subjects such as:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Mathematics
• ICT
• Preparation for Higher Education

All SWAP students are required to participate in and complete Preparation for Higher Education (HE). Preparation for HE will assist you in researching and visiting universities. You will be expected to work as a team and on your own to complete this module.

How the course is assessed

• You will be assessed on each unit
• All units within the course must be achieved in order to gain the full award 
• You will be tested on your theoretical and practical skills 

Number of days per week

• 4 days per week

Entry requirements

Students should be ordinarily resident in Scotland. Please contact the SWAP East Office at swapeast@ed.ac.uk if you are not sure about your eligibility.

• Candidates must have been out of full-time education for three years and must not already have a degree. The course is NOT intended for school leavers.
• Applicants applying from a level 4 or 5 access course will be required to achieve 65% or above in each - Biology, Chemistry and Maths. This should be achieved at the first attempt. All assessments must be completed during the SWAP course, regardless of previous achievement for Profile Grading purposes. 
• Students who already have a university degree are not eligible for a SWAP programme. Any applicant who has been to university but did not complete may be eligible if there are special circumstances. Please email SWAP for advice Before applying to swapeast@ed.ac.uk.

Information on Tests / Auditions / Interview Requirements

• Entry is by informal interview and a short, Mathematics entry exam. All candidates are interviewed to ensure that the appropriate course is chosen and that the applicant can cope with the amount of work involved.
• Applications should include a strong personal statement that clearly indicates the candidate has researched progression routes and has a clear idea of the degree and career they wish to pursue. Applications may be returned to candidates who do not meet these criteria. 
• Progression information can be found at: https://swapsurvey.org/progression/east.
• Note for internal/progressing students: Progression to the next level and from the current course is not a guarantee and will be evaluated for each student at the end of the current course, taking attendance, performance, and assessment attempts into consideration. Progressing students will be issued a conditional offer. An unconditional offer is not a guarantee and will be issued based on curriculum team review at the end of June.
• Applications from students who wish to repeat a course, have previously been enrolled on any Science course, apply again and/or have previously withdrawn from any Science course will be placed on the waiting list. Applications will only be considered in August if there are places available on the course. If the course reaches capacity before August, an offer will not be possible. Therefore, we advise students to consider other options within the College. 

English Proficiency Requirements

Progression and Articulation Routes

A large range of degree courses is offered by the universities in East and Central Scotland including: 

• The University of Edinburgh  
• Edinburgh Napier University 
• Heriot-Watt University 
• Queen Margaret University 
• University of Dundee 
• Abertay University 
• University of St Andrews 
• University of the Highlands and Islands 
• University of Aberdeen 
• For Biological Science students this course can lead to a range of degree options including Biochemistry, Cell Biology and Microbiology 

Career options

A range of science-related careers.

Find out more at the Scottish Wider Access Programme website