Physiotherapy, occupational therapy, podiatry, and the allied health sciences all start with the right academic foundation. The Access to HE Diploma (Health Science Professions) is your Level 3 gateway to these HCPC-regulated careers. OCN London, 100% online, up to 144 UCAS points, no exams.
✓Want to progress to a Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, or Podiatry BSc (Hons)
✓Are aged 19 or over without traditional A level qualifications
✓Are interested in rehabilitation, movement science, and allied health
✓Need flexible, self-paced online study around work or family
✓Want a Level 3 qualification recognised by HCPC-accredited degree programmes
✓Can commit 10 to 15 hours of study per week for 12 months
Your career after this course
✓Apply to Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Podiatry, and allied health BSc programmes
✓Earn up to 144 UCAS points toward HCPC-accredited degree entry
✓Register with the HCPC as an allied health professional on graduation
✓Enter NHS Band 5 allied health roles and progress to specialist practice
✓Access a broad range of rehabilitation and clinical science career paths
✓Build the academic foundation for postgraduate allied health study
About this qualification
What you'll learn
Behind every patient who walks again, regains grip strength, or returns to a job they love is an allied health professional who made it possible. Physiotherapists, occupational therapists, podiatrists, and orthoptists work at the rehabilitation core of the NHS, and the Access to HE Diploma (Health Science Professions) is the qualification that takes adult returners to these careers.
This Level 3 qualification is awarded by OCN London, a QAA-recognised Access Validating Agency. It is for adults aged 19 and over who want to study Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Podiatry, or another allied health science at a UK university without the A level qualifications traditionally required for entry.
You will study 60 credits covering human anatomy, physiology, pathology, rehabilitation science, psychology, sociology of health, research methods, and professional practice. The curriculum maps directly to what allied health degree programmes expect from their first-year students.
Studied 100% online over 12 months, with no exams. Assessment is entirely through essays, case studies, reflective writing, and a final research project. You earn up to 144 UCAS points based on your grade profile. Tutor feedback is delivered within 2 working days on every submission.
Allied health professionals are among the most in-demand NHS workforces, Health Education England has consistently identified physiotherapy and occupational therapy as high-priority shortage professions.
The diploma prepares you for the academic rigour of a three-year allied health degree and for the clinical placement element that begins in year one. Most placements are arranged by universities, the diploma is purely academic preparation.
Start anytime. Pay £99 a month interest-free. Study around your existing life. If rehabilitation and clinical science are where you want to build your career, this is your route in.
OCN LondonRQF Level 3UCAS Up to 144100% Online12 to 18 months15 units
Curriculum
What you'll study
15 units across 1 level of study. Portfolio-assessed — no exams.
What you'll need
Entry requirements
You need to be aged 18 or over to enrol.
You should hold GCSE English at grade 4 (C) or above, or Functional Skills English Level 2. For science and health pathways, GCSE Maths at grade 4 or Functional Skills Maths Level 2 is also expected. If you do not yet have these, you can study them alongside your diploma.
You need a reliable internet connection, a computer or tablet, and basic word-processing skills. All learning materials, assignment briefs, and tutor communications are delivered through your online learner portal.
No prior A levels or formal degree-level study is required. Many of our learners have been out of education for 10 or 20 years. We offer a short optional online assessment at enrolment to identify any gaps and set you up for success.
Not sure if you qualify?
Our admissions team can talk you through your options.
The qualification is fully portfolio-assessed, there are no traditional written exams. You complete a mix of essays, case studies, reflective pieces, data-analysis tasks, and a final extended research project across all units.
Each unit is graded Pass, Merit, or Distinction. Your 45 graded Level 3 credits stack to generate up to 144 UCAS points, the equivalent of three A levels at grade A*. A profile of Merits gives you around 96 to 120 points, which satisfies most UK degree entry requirements.
Assignments are submitted through your online learner dashboard. Every brief includes a worked example and a marking rubric so you always know what good work looks like. Tutor feedback is delivered within 2 working days, every single time, with the option to refine and resubmit.
Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) is carried out by an experienced moderator across a sample of assessed work each term, ensuring the standard of marking is consistent and fair. The diploma is awarded by OCN London, a QAA-recognised Access Validating Agency.
01
Portfolio-based
Coursework and a written portfolio. No traditional written exams.
02
Submit online
All assignments submitted through your learner dashboard.
03
Tutor feedback
Detailed feedback in 3 to 5 working days. Refine and resubmit until you reach the grade you want.
04
Graded across units
Pass, Merit or Distinction on each unit. Top grades stack to the highest UCAS point total.
Careers
Where this can take you
Typical roles and salary ranges this qualification opens up.
Physiotherapist (NHS Band 5)
Typical salary range
£28,407 to £34,581
Assess and treat patients with musculoskeletal, neurological, and respiratory conditions in NHS hospitals, community settings, and private practice. HCPC registration required.
Occupational Therapist (NHS Band 5)
Typical salary range
£28,407 to £34,581
Support people to engage in meaningful activities after illness, injury, or disability, working across NHS, local authority, and voluntary sector settings. HCPC registration required.
Podiatrist (NHS Band 5 to 6)
Typical salary range
£28,407 to £42,618
Diagnose and treat foot and lower limb conditions in NHS podiatry services, private clinics, and community settings. HCPC registration required after an accredited BSc.
Specialist Physiotherapist (Band 6 to 7)
Typical salary range
£35,392 to £50,056
Specialise in areas such as musculoskeletal, neurology, respiratory, or sports physiotherapy after post-registration experience and further qualifications.
Allied Health Consultant (Band 8a)
Typical salary range
£50,952 to £57,349
Lead clinical service development, research, and workforce education in specialist allied health roles, typically reached after 10 or more years in practice.
Ready to unlock your university place?
Enrol today and start studying within 24 hours. No exams, full tutor support.
✓Talk to our support team by phone, email or live chat
✓See your progress and next steps on your dashboard
✓Join the learner community forum when you want to chat to others
Funding and finance
✓Pay monthly to spread the cost with no interest
✓Pay in full and save versus monthly
✓No credit checks and no contract. Pause or cancel anytime
✓We can send funding paperwork to your employer if they sponsor you
✓Our enrolment team will talk you through every option
✓14 day money back guarantee on every enrolment
Accreditation and recognition
✓Awarded by a recognised UK awarding body
✓Regulated by Ofqual, the same standard as college courses
✓Accepted by UK universities, employers and professional bodies
✓You get a certificate when you finish
✓Listed on the Ofqual Register of Regulated Qualifications
✓Independently quality checked through IQA and EQA
How it works
✓Start any time. There are no set term dates or cohorts
✓Study at your own pace around work and family
✓No exams. You complete coursework, a portfolio and assignments
✓Resubmit your work at no extra cost to reach the grade you want
✓Use the optional study planner if you like a bit of structure
✓How long you study is entirely up to you. Most learners spend a few hours each week, but you can do more or less based on your own pace
What learners say
Trusted by thousands of learners
Real feedback from learners studying with Lift College.
The flexibility was a game changer for me. I studied around my shifts and my tutor was incredibly supportive throughout.
I was nervous about going back to study after 15 years, but the platform is so easy to use and the feedback I got on assignments was genuinely useful.
Got into my first-choice university with a place on a Nursing BSc. The Access to HE Diploma gave me exactly what I needed.
Good value and well structured. I appreciated that I could resubmit work without extra cost — really helped me improve.
Customer service was excellent. Any time I had a question it was answered within hours. Highly recommend.
I needed a qualification that actually meant something to employers. Ofqual regulation was the deciding factor, and it delivered.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Yes. The Access to HE Diploma is accepted at over 140 UK universities, including 16 of the Times Higher Education top 20. The qualification is regulated by the QAA (Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education) and awarded by OCN London.
