Level 3 Access to HE Diploma in Data Science Course in Birmingham

Cost£3,022.00
Duration1 year
LevelLevel 3
DeliveryClassroom based
Start13 Sep 2027
Study modeFull-time
AttendanceDaytime
Awarding bodyAim Awards awarding body

About this course

Level 3 Access to HE Diploma (Data Science) Course in Birmingham. Classes run at University College Birmingham, full-time over one year, with two to three days per week on site. The course covers data analysis, advanced mathematics, data science, machine learning foundations, and an introduction to Python programming. It also builds the academic study skills you need for university-level work. The Access to HE Diploma (Data Science) qualification is recognised by UK universities as meeting entry requirements for degree courses, and is broadly equivalent to A-levels. Completing it opens routes into computing and data science degrees.

Who this course is for

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.

Entry requirements

Please refer to the University College Birmingham course page for specific entry requirements.

What you will learn

  • You'll study data analysis techniques and how to apply them
  • You'll explore data science concepts and their real-world uses
  • You'll learn the foundations of machine learning
  • You'll write and run code using Python programming
  • You'll work with advanced mathematics relevant to data and computing
  • You'll develop academic writing and study skills for university-level work

How you will learn

You'll study in the classroom at University College Birmingham, attending two to three days per week. Learning is delivered through taught sessions covering IT, data, and mathematics topics. Assessment is through coursework and assignments completed across the year. The Access to HE Diploma is assessed by portfolio-style units rather than a single exam, though the centre will confirm the exact assessment breakdown for this course.

What you will need to bring

The centre will provide most materials. University College Birmingham will confirm anything else you need before you start.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Data Analyst: interpret datasets and report findings for organisations
  • Data Scientist: build models and extract insight from complex data
  • Systems Analyst: review and improve IT systems and processes
  • Database Developer: design and manage databases for businesses
  • Financial Analyst: use data to support financial planning and decisions
  • Junior Python Developer: write and maintain Python-based applications

What you could study next

  • BSc Data Science (or related computing degree): the primary next step. UK universities recognise the Access to HE Diploma as meeting standard entry requirements for degree courses in data science, computer science, and related fields.
  • BSc Computer Science: a broader degree covering software development, systems, and computing theory alongside data skills.
  • BSc Business Analytics: combines data science with business strategy, suited to roles in finance and operations.

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