Access Course in Chemistry

In this self-guided course, you set your own study hours.

The learning resources are there for you 24/7, all year round, so you can log in and study anytime.

You have one year from the date of purchase to complete the course and assessments.

How many hours per week?

• Learning and assessment for this course totals approximately 150 hours.
• As a guide, that’s around 10 – 15 hours per week over 12 weeks.

This is an indicative guide to the time required for a typical student at this level to achieve the learning outcomes.

This includes time for independent study as well as teaching and assessments.

This Access course is assessed entirely online. There is no in-person exam.

The course features four topics. At the end of each topic, you’ll complete a multiple-choice test. Each test:

• is marked online automatically
• is worth 25% of your overall final grade.

You’ll receive your grade for each individual assessment immediately in MyAberdeen.

You’ll then receive your final overall grade once your assessment performance has been reviewed by examiners.

Once you’ve completed all the individual assessments, your overall performance will be assessed and you’ll be given a final grade.

How final grading works

Final grades are not issued automatically.

We determine final grades at five fixed points each year, called exit points.

• We position exit points throughout the year to line up with university and college admission dates.
• We have fixed exit points so that your assessments can be reviewed by both internal and external examiners to provide you with a final grade.
• You’ll be given a grade according to our Common Grading Scale.

When you’ll receive your final grade

• Once you complete all the assessments, your final grade will be determined at the next upcoming exit point.
• You’ll receive your final grade two weeks after this exit point closes.

Exit points for academic year 2025/2026:

See our timeline below to see when exit points close and when results will be available.

Exit point 4 - May

• Exit point closes 10am, 8 May 2026
• Assessments submitted between the closure of exit point 3 and the closure of exit point 4 are graded
• Final grades are available 25 May 2026

Exit point 5 - July

• Exit point closes 10am, 3 July 2026
• Assessments submitted between the closure of exit point 4 and the closure of exit point 5 are graded
• Final grades are available 20 July 2026

Exit points for academic year 2026/2027:

Exit point 1 - September

• Exit point closes 10am, 4 September 2026
• Assessments submitted to us before this exit point closure are graded
• Final grades for assessments submitted in this exit point are available 21 September 2026

Exit point 2 - October

• Exit point closes 10am, 30 October 2026
• Assessments submitted between the closure of exit point 1 and the closure of exit point 2 are graded
• Final grades for assessments submitted in this exit point are available 16 November 2026

Exit point 3 - January

• Exit point closes 10am, 15 January 2027
• Assessments submitted between the closure of exit point 2 and the closure of exit point 3 are graded
• Final grades for assessments submitted in this exit point are available 1 February 2027

Exit point 4 - May

• Exit point closes 10am, 7 May 2027
• Assessments submitted between the closure of exit point 3 and the closure of exit point 4 are graded
• Final grades for assessments submitted in this exit point are available 24 May 2027

Exit point 5 - July

• Exit point closes 10am, 2 July 2027
• Assessments submitted between the closure of exit point 4 and the closure of exit point 5 are graded
• Final grades for assessments submitted in this exit point are available 19 July 2027

Receiving your final grade and transcript

• You’ll receive your final grade online within the MyAberdeen course area after 10am on the date results are released.
• You’ll then receive your transcript (proof of your grades) in an email sent to your University email address.
• Please note that it can take up to four weeks after your grades are released for your transcript to arrive.

Resitting assessments

If you fail an assessment, you are allowed one resubmission attempt for the next available exit point. There is a £30 fee to resit an assessment.

Our first-class support structure will ensure that you aren’t alone in your studies. You’ll have contact with your coordinator via email, MyAberdeen and Microsoft Teams. You can use social media and discussion boards to chat with your fellow students too.

We provide a wide range of services to support you in your studies and beyond:

• Careers and Employability Service
• Disability support
• IT support
• Library support
• Student Support Service – help with finances, wellbeing, and non-academic issues
• Student Learning Service – study skills support and advice
• Aberdeen University Students’ Association (AUSA) – run by students for students
• Toolkit – clever apps and free training that can make your study life easier

Wherever you are in the world, you’ll feel part of our very special Aberdeen learning community.

You will need access to:

A computer (PC, laptop or Mac) with an up-to-date operating system

Most teaching materials are smartphone- and tablet-friendly. But we recommend a proper laptop or desktop for completing assignments comfortably.

Reliable internet access

We recommend:

• a wired connection
• a minimum download speed of 2 Mbps so you can take part fully in live sessions.

Speakers or headphones

• We recommend a headset with built-in microphone and earphones if you’re likely to study in an environment with background noise.
• A webcam is optional, but you may like to use one for some interactive sessions.

Software

We’ll give you access to Office365 applications. This means you can use online versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneDrive and install these programs on up to five personal devices.

If your course requires specialist software, we’ll provide you with access to this and a licence that lasts throughout your studies.

See our detailed IT requirements for more information.

When you study with us, you can expect a first-class support structure that means you are never alone in your studies.

But learning online does mean that you have to motivate yourself and manage your own time.

This course is very much self-guided.

• Have you ever taken a course that involved a high proportion of self-study?
• If yes, did you enjoy self-study as a way of learning?

Self-study isn’t for everyone. If you have any concerns or queries, get in touch with our friendly team. We’re here to help.

Staff discount

University of Aberdeen staff are entitled to a discount on this course. View full details and eligibility criteria.

No other discounts are available.

How to pay

• Your course fee needs to be paid in full before you start your course.
• You enrol and pay for your course online – simply apply below.
• We accept payment via Visa Debit, Visa Credit and Mastercard.

Fees for this course will rise a little at the start of each academic year, on 1 August. This increase is typically 3%.

Resitting assessments

There is a £30 fee to resit your assessments.

Learning resources

Access to all the books and resources you need are included in your tuition fee. They’ll be made available to you online and you do not have to buy your own copies.

Printing

You may wish to set aside a small budget for printing, depending on how you like to work.