Access courses vs A Levels

**RonnyForLife** · 12-07-2009, 05:34 PM

Now that A levels are getting that new A* grade, do universities consider access courses to be equal to A levels?

Do access courses from Sussex Downs, CoWA and Mancat have something a university would consider to be equal to the A* grade?

I never did A Levels back in school and i'm trying to decide if to do A levels or an access course, I have an average 2.1 in a non science. I would like a chance to go to some of the good universities though, and i'm wondering if people with the A* will be given priority.

*Edit*

I am also wondering about volunteer experience required for these courses and the university you apply for afterwards.

Do you have to offer some sort of proof you have volunteered? Or is volunteering and just saying where on the application form enough?

**Sammyfc** · 10-08-2009, 01:36 AM

Hi,

I believe that A levels are the better of the two if you are looking to apply to do medicine at university.

You usually need 3 As at A level. You will need to choose Biology, Chemistry and either Maths or Physics. Combined with a good personal statement a decent level of experience this should provide you with a sound application in medicine.

The Access to Medicine course is designed for people who have excelled in other areas and wish to re-train in order to pursue a career in medicine. You will need distinctions in all of the subjects.

In regards to the voluntry work, I think it will be enough to just include it in your application, however the universities may also want proof that you have participated in any activities you mention in your personal statement.

Hope this helps

**elz** · 10-08-2009, 05:38 PM

a levels are harder than access course defo. but if u fit into the mature student group then access course prob has less competition to get in that way.
COWA do 6 distinctions which is the highest u can get (6/6), most decent unis ask for 6 distinctions, but a few used to ask for an overall distinction, im not sure if they still do though. i wouldnt say it is eqaul to an A at alvel, but its the entry requirement, and if u get that then they look at ur extra curricula stuff, n experience. if u tick the box for academics ie 6 dist then the rest is down to ur personal statement.
i believe on my ucas form i put where i did my voluntary expereince.