Access to Higher Education Diploma (Data Science)

Access to Higher Education Diploma (Data Science)

This Course at a Glance

• Learn how to expertly gather, process, and interpret data
• Get on the fast track to a rewarding and in-demand career
• Study a Data Science degree without A-Levels
• Get help with your UCAS application
• Learn at home
• No exams

About Your Course

If you’ve got an analytical mind and like working with tech and statistics, you would no doubt thrive in a career as a Data Scientist. Which despite being a fascinating field of work, is vital to shaping our future.

This online Access to Higher Education Diploma (Data Science) can not only help you get on the path to this important career, but it will also fast-track your journey to qualifying.

Get University Ready

Where multiple A Levels were the only key to unlocking degree-level study previously, now, you can go to university to study Data Science by obtaining this widely accepting Level 3 alternative qualification. Combining this with the fact this online course can be completed within a year, now many would-be Data Scientists who couldn’t commit to full-time education can easily make this career switch.

Not only can you juggle your pre-university studies easily around an existing job or child care, but it’s also entirely possible to complete a Data Science degree online too. So, the entire route to your career as a Data Scientist can be completed on your terms!

Advance Your Analytical Skills

Through a range of modules, you will cover topics that will advance your analytical abilities, and deepen your knowledge of technology and statistics.

• Introduction to AI, Machine Learning and Deep Learning – Understand the core issues of artificial intelligence, machine learning and deep learning
• What is Data and Data Science? – Study the core issues of data science, data and big data, and learn about the data science ecosystem
• Foundations of Data Analytics - Understand the issues and methods of basic data transformations and more!

Explore these modules and the others you will complete in more detail on the Modules tab.

Getting Started

learndirect is the leading UK distance learning provider. This Access to Higher Education Diploma (Data Science) is a Level 3 nationally recognised qualification regulated by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA).

Learning Without Restrictions

Being an online course, you are free to work towards your Data Science degree when it suits you. There are no classes to attend, and no timetables to stick to. All of this enables learners to study around their commitments and access higher education when they otherwise would have been unable to.

You get 24 months to complete this course, though many of our students complete our Access to HE Diplomas within 9-12 months.

Stay On Top Of Your Learning

You will be provided with an Individual Learning Plan that outlines the submission deadlines for your assignments to keep you on track throughout your studies.

*Please note, entry requirements differ between universities. It’s always best to check with your chosen institution that your qualification will be accepted before enrolling on a course.

Modules

Unit 1: Data Science Fundamentals

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand data science fundamentals
• Understand the fundamentals of data and big data
• Be able to compare data science ecosystems

Unit 2: Introduction to Data Visualisations

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the role and importance of creating high-quality data for visualisation
• Understand the fundamentals of plots and charts
• Understand the main characteristics of Python Libraries
• Be able to produce and interpret charts and plots

Unit 3: Fundamentals of Data Analytics

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the main types and processes of data analytics
• Understand the ecosystem of data analytics
• Know how to identify and resolve data quality issues
• Understand purpose and uses of basic data transformations

Unit 4: The Basics of Machine Learning

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the process of machine learning
• Understand the role of data preparation processes in machine learning models
• Be able to evaluate machine learning models
• Be able to calculate classification metrics and interpret a ROC and AUC
• Understand the issues of bias and variance in machine learning models

Unit 5: Python Basics – Part A

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the characteristics of Python
• Understand the Python environment
• Understand basic data types relating to Python

Unit 6: Python Basics – Part B

On completion of this unit you will:

• Be able to create, index, slice, and sort Python lists
• Know how to create and manipulate tuples
• Be able to create and use sets
• Be able to create and use Python dictionaries
• Be able to develop and apply Python functions

Unit 7: Python and Data Analytics

On completion of this unit you will:

• Be able to produce and save Pandas DataFrames
• Be able to merge and concatenate data sets
• Be able to undertake basic data analysis to create visualisations
• Be able to undertake basic data cleansing tasks
• Be able to undertake basic data transformation tasks

Unit 8: Methods and Models of Machine Learning

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the main concepts of supervised machine learning (ML) models
• Understand the main characteristics of basic unsupervised machine learning models
• Understand the main characteristics of reinforcement learning

Unit 9: Statistics and Data

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the characteristics of different types of data
• Understand the meaning of “measures of centre”
• Be able to perform calculations relating to measures of spread
• Be able to perform calculations related to measures of symmetry and peakness
• Understand measures of joint variability and linear relation

Unit 10: Machine Learning Project

On completion of this unit you will:

• Be able to plan a machine learning modelling project
• Be able to build a machine learning model in Python

Unit 11: Exploring Artificial Intelligence, Deep and Machine Learning

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the fundamentals of artificial intelligence
• Understand the fundamentals of machine learning
• Understand the fundamentals of deep learning

Unit 12: Use of Information and Communication Technology

On completion of this unit you will:

• Be able to use word processing software to create documents
• Be able to use spreadsheet software packages to manipulate numerical data
• Be able to use computer presentation software to produce a presentation
• Know how to combine data from different sources and packages to create a document

Unit 13: Using Spreadsheets

On completion of this unit you will:

• Be able to set up, format and maintain data exports to other packages
• Be able to construct and use Spreadsheet calculations
• Be able to use spreadsheets to produce and develop graphs and charts

Unit 14: Writing and Studying Academic Texts

On completion of this unit you will:

• Be able to write academically and with relevance
• Be able to interpret and express ideas in a piece of academic work
• Be able to analyse and summarise text, and appreciate the problems caused by plagiarism

Unit 15: Planning and Writing an Assignment

On completion of this unit you will:

• Be able to select and assess appropriate source information in response to a task
• Be able to reference sources used in a recognised style
• Understand different reading strategies
• Be able to take effective notes
• Be able to plan, draft and produce a written assignment

Entry Requirements

You must hold Level 2 qualifications in both English and Maths or be working towards them alongside studying for your Access to Higher Education Diploma. You also need to have a UK address to enrol.

University Entry Criteria

It must be reiterated that each university will set its own admission criteria. So, you must check with your desired institution if your Access to HE Diploma and other qualifications will be accepted. In many cases, to get started at university you will need: - A certain number of credits passed with a merit or a distinction grade - A face-to-face interview at the university - Literacy and numeracy assessments provided by the university - Course-related work placements or work experience - GCSE Grade C/4 or above in Maths and English (or equivalent Level 2 such as Functional Skills/Key Skills, etc.) It is your responsibility to check that your Access to Higher Education Diploma will be accepted as part of these entry requirements for your chosen degree. learndirect will not be held accountable if completing this Access to Higher Education Diploma doesn’t secure you a position with a higher education institution.

Minimum age restriction

An Access to Higher Education Diplomas is designed to support students to progress to university who have substantial experience of life outside of formal education which they have gained since completing compulsory schooling.

Average completion timeframe

The average time it takes our learners to complete the course is 9-12 months.

Assessment requirements

A range of assessment methodologies are used, including:

• Academic report
• Essay
• Case study analysis
• Illustrated report
• Journal article
• Portfolio
• Academic poster
• Presentation (video and audio recording)
• Developing promotional activity
• Series of questions
• Academic writing skills tasks

Exams required

There are no exams included in the assessment of the course.

Is Membership Required?

No membership is required to enrol on this course.

Additional requirements

Learners must be actively studying for a minimum of six months before results can be ratified and certificates ordered. The six-month period does not start until you have passed unit 2 of your course and you must be submitting assignments regularly (in line with the deadlines in your Individual Learning Plan) to meet this six-month requirement. Certificates can only be issued once your course is paid for in full.

Certification Timeframe

You can expect to receive your certificate 12-16 weeks after your final assignment is marked and graded, depending on the time of year. You will be provided with regular updates throughout the certification process so that you are fully informed of your individual timeframes.

Course Fees

All course fees, inclusive of all payment plans including our Premium Credit Limited option, must be settled before certification can be ordered.

*You will have access to the course for 24 months.

The assessment process of our Data Science course consists of the following:

Assignments

The assignments for this course aim to prepare you for your next step in higher education, while providing the number of credits necessary to achieve your qualification.

At the end of each unit of study, you will need to complete an assignment which your tutor will then mark and provide you with feedback and a grade to help you to progress.

Credits

To successfully achieve this Access to Higher Education Diploma you will need 60 credits in total. The credits are split into the following two categories:

• Graded – 45 credits come from graded units, which focus on the academic subject
• Ungraded – 15 credits come from ungraded units, such as writing and study skills

As part of this Data Science diploma, UK learners will also receive help as well as guidance with their university application and the research they need to do to get the most out of their diploma.

Skills & Education Group Access

On successful completion of the Skills & Education Group Access course,you will receive a QAA-recognised Access to Higher Education Diploma (Data Science) at Level 3 (Qualification Number: 40014058). This course has also been assigned 60 credits.

An access validating agency with a strong social purpose to recognise achievement, particularly for those who have benefited least from their previous educational experiences, Skills and Education Group Access supports the needs of learners, providers, businesses and communities by enabling progression into higher education.

By completing an Access to Higher Education Diploma (Data Science) and a subsequent Data Science degree, you will open yourself up to an array of career prospects.

With Data Scientists being required in a vast range of institutions, and within multiple areas, you can tailor your career to the area that suits your interest.

You could work within:

• Artificial intelligence - Master the methods and principles specific to AI
• Data engineering - Consolidate, cleanse and structure data collected from multiple sources to build and maintain the frameworks used for analysis
• Database management and architecture - Design the digital frameworks of particular organisations
• Marketing data analysis - Measure and improve the effectiveness of marketing campaigns through analytics tools
• Machine learning - Create algorithms that work without direct human participation and can deal with large data sets

Operations data analysis - Use statistical software to evaluate and solve business-specific problems

Frequently Asked Questions