1. The content of the AHE Diploma (Medicine) has been developed in line with the QAA Subject Descriptor in Medicine. QAA state that the purpose of the subject descriptor is to define the minimum requirement of content for a diploma titled Access to Higher Education Diploma (Medicine). The Subject Descriptor provides information regarding the expected and recommended areas of study for progression to Medicine, but also allows a degree of flexibility. [5]
2. The AHE Diploma (Medicine) has been informed by various stakeholders including centres involved in the delivery and assessment of AHE Diplomas and potential receiving higher education providers. This has ensured a balanced and coherent programme of study with indicative content that is focused on the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to effectively support preparation for progression to a Medical degree or other related areas.
3. The AHE Diploma (Medicine) includes the requirement for the achievement of units in academic and study skills and numeracy. This includes three credits of academic and study skills at Level 3 (ungraded), three credits in mathematics at Level 3 (ungraded) and a six-credit Level 3 (ungraded) research project that must be contextualised within the areas of study aligned with the Diploma title.
4. The AHE Diploma (Medicine) includes the requirement for the achievement of a three credit unit at Level 3 (ungraded) entitled Professional Behaviours for Medical Practitioners. This unit has been developed at a national level and is mandatory in all Diplomas that are developed in line with the Subject Descriptor for Medicine.
5. The AHE Diploma (Medicine) does not seek to directly address the skills and competences of the practitioner.
[5] QAA, Subject Descriptor for Medicine (September 2021), section 3