Level 3 Access to Higher Education Diploma (Data Science)

At a glance

Diploma objectives

The objective of the Access to HE Diploma (Data Science) is to provide students with an introduction and understanding of the field of data science, and to empower them to progress onto higher education or join the job market with confidence.

The diploma provides a contemporary introduction to data science, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, from the birth of artificial intelligence and machine learning in the late 1950s, to the “big data” era in the early 2000s, to the current applications of AI and machine learning and the various challenges associated with them. In addition to the standard machine learning models of linear and logistic regression, decision trees and k-means clustering, the Diploma introduces students two new exciting and emerging areas of data science: synthetic data and graph data science.

The diploma also introduces students to the data analytical landscape and associated analytical tools, teaching introductory Python so that students can analyse, explore, and visualise data, as well as train, test and apply basic data science models.

• Gain the basic statistical knowledge and understanding required to conduct data analysis.
• Develop a strong understanding of data and data processes, including data cleaning, data structuring, and preparing data for analysis and visualisation.
• Develop analytical and machine learning skills with Python.
• Understand the machine learning processes, understanding which algorithms to apply to different problems, and the steps required to build, test and verify a model.
• Understand the machine learning processes, understanding which algorithms to apply to different problems, and the steps required to build, test and verify a model.
• Develop an understanding of contemporary and emerging areas of data science, and how they can be applied to modern challenges.

Payment options

We understand that we live in challenging financial and economic times, which is why our fees are inclusive of all learning materials, tutor support, marking and grading of assessments and issuing of diploma certificate upon successful completion of the diploma.

During our on-line registration process, we offer all students the option to pay our fees in full upfront, or to spread the cost interest free over 6, 12 or 18 months.

In addition, it is our commitment to never charge our students:

• A separate registration fee.
• Any interest on our course fees if you opt to spread the costs.  However, if payment is made by a credit card, interest charges may be levied by the credit card provider.
• Additional fees to access the learning materials if the diploma has not been completed within 12 months. Our students can
  access their learning materials until they have successfully completed the diploma, even if that takes 2 years!

If your financial circumstances change, and you want to take a study and payment break, then you can do so without incurring any additional costs or interest rate charges.

For the full terms and conditions relating to our fees, including any qualifying conditions, please read our Terms and Conditions of Sale.

Learning materials

Our distance learning students receive extensive learning materials, including:

• Over 1800 pages of expertly curated core learning materials.
• For each unit, a multiple-choice Question & Answer (Q&A) bank with fully worked solutions.
• Factsheets or summary sheets.
• Python code samples.
• Copies of relevant articles and papers on data science.

To ensure our learning materials are of the highest possible quality, our learning materials have been written by expert data scientists with real industry and academic experience. In addition, all our learning materials have been peer reviewed by academics and industry leaders, and approved by the AIM Qualifications and Assessment Group.

Our tutors are data scientists and real educators

All our tutors are highly experienced data scientists and were educated at top UK Universities including the University of Warwick, the University of Oxford and the University of Glasgow.

In addition our tutors also have, or must be working towards, a relevant teaching qualification such as a PGCE or Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training (RQF).

Academic prerequisites

To study the Level 3 Access to HE Diploma (Data Science) you should ideally have:

• GCSE Mathematics at grade B or higher (new level 6 or above); and
• GCSE English at grade C or higher (new level 4 or above).

Although there is a significant amount of mathematics and statistics in advanced data science courses, including linear algebra and differential calculus, in this Level 3 Access to HE Diploma (Data Science), all you need is to be comfortable with the standard mathematical operations of addition, multiplication, and division and some concepts from GCSE mathematics. All other statistical and mathematical concepts will be explained to you in our Learning Materials.

You do not need to have any prior coding experience, though you must be willing and comfortable to learn a programming language. The diploma teaches introductory Python, being specifically chosen as it easy to use and learn.

Identity and address checks

Due to the Awarding Body’s rules governing the diploma, to study the Level 3 Access to HE Diploma (Data Science) a student must be a UK resident. To ensure a student is eligible to study this diploma, we conduct a number of mandatory identity and address checks.

During our registration process, we ask all prospective students to provide us with:

• One document as proof of identity, such as a driving licence or passport; and
• One document as proof of a UK residential address such as a utility bill dated within the last three months.

All students must provide these documents to us - without them we cannot approve a student’s application. In addition, students cannot commence studying the diploma until all background checks have been completed.

These checks are required to ensure students safely receive their diploma certificate after successfully completing their studies, as all diploma certificates are sent to students in hard copy form via the post.  In addition, if a student has a Unique Learner Number (issued by the UK Government’s Education and Skills Funding Agency) their results will be added to their Personal Learning Record (PLR) held by the Learner Record Service.

Wellbeing support

We understand that studying whilst also working full or part-time, or simply dealing with life can at times be challenging.

To provide our students with every possible support, we have partnered with Care first, a leader in Student Assistance Solutions, providing various assistance and counselling services.

Care first provide our registered students with a range of wellbeing support services:

• Confidential, impartial advice and support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
• All calls are answered in the UK.
• All Care first counsellors are members of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
• Free phone number for counselling, information and advice services.
• Unlimited access to 24-hour confidential Care first “in the moment” Counselling, Information and Advice Services.

We provide these services entirely free of charge to our registered student.