24,000 Access to HE students are accepted at over 140 universities every year*
90% of graduates with a diploma were employed or in further study six months after graduating (2017/18)
Do you have a strong interest in data science? Want to study this subject at university level, but don’t currently meet the entry requirements for a degree? Our Access to Higher Education Diploma (Data Science) is designed to give adult learners an intensive introduction to this field, as well as boosting your study skills to prepare you for higher education.
The Access to HE Diploma is a Level 3 qualification equivalent to A-levels. It is designed for individuals who do not have traditional qualifications or a formal educational background, providing the necessary skill set to progress onto study at university and a subsequent career in a relevant field. As well as enhancing your academic skills, our one-year course lets you explore a range of areas in the field of information technology (IT), including data analysis and advanced mathematics, data science, a foundation of machine learning and an introduction to Python programming.
By completing this Access to HE Diploma, you will be able to take your first step towards a wide variety of industry careers, from systems analyst or data scientist to financial analyst or database developer. You will also be ready to embark on a range of degree-level courses within the computing sector.
Our computing facilities provide students with the best possible learning environment. We offer dedicated teaching labs equipped with high-performance computers and industry-standard software, ensuring students gain hands-on experience with tools used by professionals.
All students have access to modern PCs across our different buildings and quiet study areas for laptop use, making it easy to focus on independent learning and group projects. Whatever your study needs, our facilities are here to support your success.
Access to Higher Education
Accreditations, endorsements and partnerships
University College Birmingham works with a wide range of organisations to ensure you receive the best possible training and qualifications recognised by industry.
With increasing demand for skilled professionals in data analytics, it’s essential to equip students with the ability to analyse, interpret and create software solutions that make a real impact in both private and public sectors. This course offers a broad range of modules, ensuring students are fully prepared to confidently move forward —whether progressing to their next programme or advancing in their career.
Career opportunities
This course is designed to enable your progression onto higher education. Depending on entry requirements, you could continue onto a degree at University College Birmingham, such as Computer Science, Cyber Security or Business Management.
With further study, possible future career options open to you include:
Systems analyst
Average salary: £30,000 – £40,000
Database developer
Average salary: £34,000 – £48,000
Data scientist
Average Salary: £55,000
Junior data analyst
£27,000 - £30,000
Note: The example roles and salaries are intended as a guide only.
Kanwal’s Story
Kanwal brings vast expertise to this new course and is dedicated to promoting learning strengths across diverse groups of students.
