Choosing your Access subjects

Before enrolling on your two Access subjects*, you must check which are most suitable for your intended degree path, and any additional entry requirements.

We recommend that you find out more about University of Glasgow degree programmes and the flexible degree structure alongside this information to help you make your choices.

*The number of subjects required may occasionally vary. Carefully check the information given here and get in touch if you are unsure what subjects to take.

Arts & Social Sciences Subjects 2022–23

Subject

 

Available Sessions

Dates

Archaeology

Tues 7–9pm

20-09-2022 -
21-03-2023

Business & Management

Mon 7–9pm

19-09-2022 -
20-03-2023

Classical Studies

Weds 7–9pm

21-09-2022 -
22-03-2023

Economics

Tues 7–9pm

20-09-2022 -
21-03-2023

English Literature

Tues 6.30–8.30pm

20-09-2022 -
21-03-2023

History of Art

Thurs 1–3pm

22-09-2022 -
23-03-2023

Medieval European History

Mon 6.30­–8.30pm

19-09-2022 -
20-03-2023

Philosophy

Mon 6–8pm

 

19-09-2022 -
20-03-2023

Politics

Thurs 6–8pm

22-09-2022 -
23-03-2023

Psychology 

Tues 10am–12 noon

OR

Weds 6.30–8.30pm

20-09-2022 -
21-03-2023

OR

21-09-2022 -
22-03-2023 

Scottish History

Sat 10am–12 noon

24-09-2022 -
25-03-2023

Social & Economic History 

Weds 6.30–8.30pm

21-09-2022 -
22-03-2023 

Sociology

Mon 6.30–8.30pm

OR

Tues 1–3pm

19-09-2022 -
20-03-2023

OR

20-09-2022 -
21-03-2023

Theology & Religious Studies

Thurs 7–9pm

22-09-2022 -
23-03-2023 

Science & Engineering Subjects 2022–23

Subject

Available Sessions

Dates

Archaeology

Tues 7–9pm

20-09-2022 -
21-03-2023

Biology

Weds 6.30–9.30pm

OR

Thurs 6.30–9.30pm

20-09-2022 -
21-03-2023

OR

21-09-2022 -
22-03-2023

Chemistry

Mon 6.30–9.30pm

OR

Sat 2–5pm

19-09-2022 -
20-03-2023

OR

24-09-2022 -
25-03-2023

Geology

Thurs 6–8pm

22-09-2022 -
23-03-2023

Maths

Tues 6.30–9.30pm

OR

Thurs 10am–1pm

OR

Sat 10am–1pm

20-09-2022 -
21-03-2023

OR

22-09-2022 -
23-03-2023

OR

24-09-2022 -
25-03-2023

Physics

Thurs 6.30–9.30pm

OR

Sat 2–5pm

22-09-2022 -
23-03-2023

OR

24-09-2022 -
25-03-2023

Psychology

Tues 10am–12 noon

OR

Weds 6.30–8.30pm

20-09-2022 -
21-03-2023

OR

21-09-2022 -
22-03-2023

Advice for those wishing to enrol on Access Science or Maths courses

If you intend to enrol on Access Maths, Physics or Chemistry, we strongly recommended that you have refreshed your knowledge and are ready to work at National 5 level when Access starts, otherwise you are unlikely to be able to cope with the pace and content of the course.

If you take Access Biology, especially with a view to continuing in the study of Life Sciences, you will benefit from prior knowledge at National 5 level.

You should be revising as follows:

Biology

  • BBC Bitesize for National 5 Biology will help you to become familiar with key topics.
  • Khan Academy's High School Biology section also provides a good broad overview of many relevant topics.
  • You may wish to use the most up to date version of Campbell's 'Biology: a global approach' textbook, especially if you intend to continue your studies in Life Sciences. However, this textbook is not required to complete the Access course.

Chemistry

  • You should concentrate on: elements, compounds, basic bonding, chemical formula, chemical reactions, basic chemical equations and basic chemical calculations.
  • Any of the ‘National 5 Chemistry’ revision books published by Hodder and Gibson or Leckie and Leckie are very useful up to this level.
  • BBC Bitesize for National 5 Chemistry is also very useful for revising up to the required level.

Maths and Physics

  • You should concentrate on: numeracy (fractions, percentages, negatives, indices, surds, rounding, standard form), basic algebra (multiplying out brackets, collecting like terms, factorising, simplifying expressions), solving equations (linear, simultaneous) and graphs (plotting and interpreting).
  • These topics are covered in "Countdown to Mathematics" by L Graham and D Sargent (BOTH vols. 1 and 2.). Second-hand copies are available for just a few pounds from many sources.
  • Additionally, some of our students have found the online videos from Khan Academy and the BBC Bitesize material helpful.
  • Please note that the recommended knowledge of Maths is also normally sufficient for studying Access Physics.
  • Combinations with Maths - Access Maths should be combined with another Science subject UNLESS it is taken in conjunction with Economics, Psychology or Business & Management.

Access subjects for degree programmes

If you know the undergraduate degree you wish to study following completion of the Access programme then the below outlines the Access for Higher Education subject combinations you should book onto.

Accountancy and Finance

  • Choose Economics + Maths ➡ either BSc or BAcc degrees
  • Choose Maths + EITHER Economics OR one Science subject ➡ BSc degrees but not BAcc
  • Access Maths + Economics may also allow applications to general Social Sciences degrees.

Archaeology

  • Choose Archaeology + one Arts/Social Sciences ➡ Archaeology MA or MA(SocSci) programme
  • Choose Archaeology + one Science  ➡ Archaeology BSc programmes

Arts/Modern Languages/Divinity

  • Choose any 2 Arts/Social Sciences

If applying for Joint Honours with Economics in Arts and you do not have a suitable Maths qualification awarded within the last 7 years (i.e. Higher Maths or equivalent preferably at Grade A) you must take Access Maths.

Community Development

  • Choose any 2 Arts/Social Sciences

To progress on to this degree you must have at least two days per week of paid or unpaid work in the broad field of community development.

Dentistry, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine

No entry via Access.

We recommend that you consider the Scottish Wider Access Programme (SWAP) for an alternative route into these professional degree areas.

Engineering

Choose Maths + Physics.

Environmental Science & Sustainability (Dumfries Campus)

Choose one Science + any one other subject

Health & Social Policy (Dumfries Campus)

Choose any two Arts/Social Sciences

Law

Choose two subjects from the following: Economics, English Literature, Politics, Sociology, Psychology, Business & Management.

Applicants may be required to sit the Law National Aptitude Test (LNAT) between September 2022 and January 2023. 

Music

Choose any two Arts/Social Sciences

In addition you must

  • hold a music qualification (ideally SQA Higher or A Level; ABRSM grade 5 theory will be considered in place of A Level music)
  • be at performance level of merit in grade 8 of the associated board of the royal schools of music practical exams
  • Auditions FAQs  
  • attend audition and interview; contact Martin.Dixon@glasgow.ac.uk for more information.

Neuroscience

Choose Biology OR Chemistry + one other Science.

Nursing

Choose Biology + Chemistry

Admission is based on successful interview.

Psychology

Choose Psychology + one Arts/Social Sciences subject ➡ MA or MA (SocSci)

Choose Psychology + any one Science ➡ Psychology BSc

You will also need National 5 Maths, or equivalent, at Grade A or B. If you do not have a suitable Maths qualification awarded within the last 7 years, you must either take Access Maths as one of your two subjects OR study a National 5 Maths course at an FE College or other provider (such as University of Aberdeen online SCQF 5 Maths) in parallel with your two Access courses. These qualifications must already be started and listed on applicant’s UCAS form.

Sciences

Note: if choosing Chemistry or Maths, you should be ready to start working at the equivalent of National 5 level as the course will progress quickly. See Advice for those wishing to enrol on Access Science or Maths courses.

Chemical Physics BSc

Choose Maths + Chemistry + Physics (3 ACCESS SUBJECTS REQUIRED)

Chemistry and Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry

Choose Chemistry + Maths

Computing Science BSc

Choose Maths + Physics

Note: Physics is preferred, but any other Science would be considered alongside Maths.

Environmental Geoscience

Choose any two Sciences 

Environmental Science & Sustainability (Dumfries Campus)

Choose one Science + any one other subject

Geography BSc

Choose any two Sciences

Geology BSc

Choose Geology + any one other Science

Life Sciences

Choose Biology + Chemistry

As long as you choose Biology OR Chemistry, another Science may be considered as your second subject.

Physics and Physics with Astrophysics

Choose Maths + Physics

Zoology

Choose Chemistry + Biology

As long as you choose Biology OR Chemistry, another Science may be considered as your second subject. 

Social Sciences

Choose any two Arts/Social Sciences (but see exceptions below)

All Economics Degrees Require: Economics + Maths (or another Economics + another Arts/Social Sciences Subject if you already meet the Maths requirement of Higher Maths (or equivalent), preferably at Grade A, awarded within the last 7 years.

Note: for Social Sciences, Access Maths can only be taken in conjunction with Economics, Psychology or Business & Management.

Teaching

Choose any two Arts/Social Sciences* ➡ Education with Primary Teaching Qualification MEduc

Choose any two Sciences ➡ Technology Education MEdTechEd

Note: there is no entry to Primary Education with Teaching Qualification (Dumfries Campus) MA via Access.

*If you do not have Higher English (or equivalent) at Grade A or B, awarded within the last 7 years, choose Access English Literature as one of your two subjects.

Note: you must have National 5 Maths (or equivalent) at Grade A or B, usually awarded within the last 7 years. If you do not have this, or it was awarded outwith the 7-year period, you may study in parallel with your Access courses at an FE College or other provider (such as University of Aberdeen online SCQF 5 Maths). These qualifications must already be started and listed on your UCAS form.

Admission is based on your UCAS personal statement and a successful interview.

Veterinary Biosciences

Choose Biology + Chemistry