SWAP Access to Medical Studies

Course description

The Scottish Wider Access Programme (SWAP) to Medical Studies is a full-time course lasting one academic year taught at Edinburgh College’s Sighthill campus. This course is designed to prepare you for further study of medicine or dentistry at a university degree level.  

You will learn a combination of academic units such as Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics taught at a Higher, HNC and HND level. These units will give you the core skills needed to apply for a place at The University of Edinburgh or The University of Aberdeen on their undergraduate Medicine (MBChB) degree, also to The University of Edinburgh for the BVM&S Veterinary Medicine or a place on the undergraduate Dentistry BDS at the University of Dundee. 

Our Science department offers you the opportunity to study in purpose-built laboratories. These will support the development of your general and specialist practical skills, whilst enhancing your theoretical understanding of science. 

SWAP courses are designed if you have few or no formal qualifications and have been out of full-time education for at least three years (five years if you studied Highers or a Higher National course or a similar level). 

SWAP courses provide you with an alternative route into higher education. They are designed to give you intensive academic preparation as well as the opportunity to develop the skills and confidence you need for entry into higher education through recognised progression routes at colleges or universities in Scotland. For more information on SWAP courses please go to www.scottishwideraccess.org and click on the SWAP East Portal. 

What you will learn

• Biology (Level 6-8)
• Chemistry (Levels 6 and 7)
• Mathematics (Level 6)
• Communications and Literature (Level 6)
• Cell Biology (Level 7)
• DNA and Genetics (Level 7)
• Biochemistry (Level 7)
• Human Body: Structure and Function (Level 8)
• Preparation for Higher Education (HE)

All SWAP students are required to participate in and complete Preparation for Higher Education (HE). Preparation for HE will assist you in researching and visiting universities. You will be expected to work as a team and on your own to complete this module.

Learning outcome

SWAP East programmes are designed to provide entrance qualifications for adults to apply for university degree courses. Each year universities update their progression courses.  

Successful completion of this programme with the required SWAP profile grades will give you a potential route into the following undergraduate degrees: MBChB in Medicine at the universities of Aberdeen or Edinburgh; BDS in Dentistry at the University of Dundee; BVM&S in Veterinary Medicine at the University of Edinburgh.

In addition, a wide variety of access to science progression routes is available. 

The following link provides you with a range of degree programmes available: 

https://swapsurvey.org/progression/east  

• MedicineCar 
• Pharmacy 
• Biological and biomedical sciences