Get into engineering with our online SCQF 7 physics course.
If you want to study engineering but lack the required physics grades, this course is designed for you.
Flexible and 100% online, it covers the Higher and Advanced-Higher physics topics you need for entry to undergraduate engineering degrees at the University of Aberdeen.
Start anytime
You’ll have 12 months to complete the course at your own pace.
24/7 learning
Set your own hours and study when it suits you.
Progress to university
Improve your physics grades to qualify for undergraduate degree entry at the University of Aberdeen.
What you’ll study
You’ll cover the following areas of SCQF Level 6 (Higher) and Level 7 (Advanced Higher) physics.
These are topics necessary for engineering students.
Force and motion
- Introduction to vectors and radians
- Motion – equations and graphs
- Force and momentum – Newton’s laws of motion
- Angular motion – torque, equilibrium
- Types of support
- Collisions, explosions, and impulse
- Kinematic relationships
- Rotational dynamics
Energy
- Forms of energy, transformation of energy, mechanical work
- Gravitational potential and kinetic energy
- Thermal energy
Electricity and magnetism
- Electric fields – electrostatics, Coulomb’s law
- Electrical circuits – current, potential difference, power, and resistance
- Resistivity – Kirchoff’s laws of current and voltage
- Capacitors
- Semiconductors and p-n junctions
- Magnetism – magnets, magnetic fields, electromagnetism
Waves
- The Standard Model
- Spectra
- Wave-particle duality (light)
- Interference
- Reflection and refraction
- Polarisation
By the end of this course, you’ll be able to...
-
Identify the formulas and methods needed to solve problems.
-
Analyse complex problems and divide them into sub-problems.
-
Apply theoretical knowledge to solve complex physical problems.
How you’ll study
Online learning
This is an online, self-guided course.
There are also regular drop-in sessions. These are optional sessions where you can chat to a tutor online and ask questions.
You’ll work your way through four course topics. Each topic guides you through structured exercises to develop and consolidate your learning.
Once you’ve enrolled, you have 12 months to complete the course at your own pace.
Online learning platform
Your course is delivered online through MyAberdeen, our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). It’s packed with learning resources, including:
- videos
- quizzes
- slide shows
- reading materials
- optional drop-in tutorial sessions
- discussion boards with colleagues.
It’s also available as a mobile app, so you have access to your learning materials on your smartphone and mobile devices. Take a look around MyAberdeen.
Your tutors
You’ll learn from an experienced team of academics from our School of Engineering.
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.
How many hours per week?
- Learning and assessment for this course totals approximately 150 hours.
- 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.
You’ll carry out all of your assessments online.
- Your course ends with two assessments. You complete and submit these online.
- You do not have to take these final assessments until you feel ready. You can go back and review previous learning until you feel confident enough to progress to the assessment stage.
- You need to pass both assessments. They combine to give you a final grade.
You can complete your assessments whenever you’re ready, but you will not receive your final grade straight away.
Final grades are not issued automatically.
We determine final grades only at five fixed points each year, called exit points.
How exit points work
- You can submit your assessments online at anytime, and they’ll be graded at the next upcoming exit point.
- 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.
How you’ll get your results
- You’ll receive a grade according to our Common Grading Scale.
- You’ll receive your grades online.
- You’ll receive your transcript (proof of your grades) via email after your grades are announced.
When you’ll get your results
Final grades are available one month after each exit point closes.
See our timeline below to see when exit points close and when results will be available.
Exit points for academic year 2024/2025:
Exit point 1 - September
- Exit point closes 10am, 6 September 2024
- Assessments submitted to us before this exit point closure are graded
- Final grades for assessments submitted in this exit point are available 4 October 2024
Exit point 2 - November
- Exit point closes 10am, 1 November 2024
- 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 29 November 2024
Exit point 3 - January
- Exit point closes 10am, 17 January 2025
- 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 14 February 2025
Exit point 4 - May
- Exit point closes 10am, 9 May 2025
- 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 6 June 2025
Exit point 5 - July
- Exit point closes 10am, 4 July 2025
- 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 1 August 2025
Getting your results in time for entry to university or college
You’ll need your Access transcript as evidence for admissions departments. Please ensure you have enough time to receive your results and transcript before your course start date.
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 your assessments.
Our first-class support structure will ensure that you aren’t alone in your studies. You’ll have contact with your tutor via MyAberdeen and by visiting the drop-in sessions.
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, stress, wellbeing and non-academic issues
- Student Learning Service – study support, with advice sessions available via phone or Skype
- 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.
Your course coordinator
Dr Marina Menshykova
Marina is a Senior Lecturer in Engineering at the University of Aberdeen. She has a PhD in Solid Mechanics.
View Marina’s profileWhere this will take you
Study engineering at the University of Aberdeen
This Access course is designed to lift your physics grades, so you can meet the entry requirements for our undergraduate degrees in engineering.
This Access qualification, with successful completion of assessments, is accepted for entry at the University of Aberdeen.
- If you’re applying to study anywhere else, please contact the respective university to confirm the acceptability of this course and the grades required.
Your Access qualification
On successful completion of the course and assessments, you’ll receive:
- 15 credits at SCQF Level 7 (Advanced Higher level), and
- a transcript of your achievement from the University of Aberdeen.
What are Access qualifications?
This Access qualification is not an Advanced Higher. It is at an equivalent level to an Advanced Higher.
Advanced Highers are awarded by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA). This Access qualification is awarded by the University of Aberdeen.
This Access qualification is designed:
- in accordance with the Scottish Credit Qualifications Framework (SCQF) at Advanced Higher level
- by educationalists experienced in working at this academic level
- to develop your key Advanced Higher-level skills and support your access into Higher Education.
Entry requirements
You will need access to:
A computer (PC, laptop or Mac) operating on either:
- Windows 10 or later
- macOS 10.15 (Catalina) or later.
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, and PowerPoint 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 10% 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 5%.
This course has no formal entry requirements. You decide if it’s suitable for you.
The course is designed to lift your learning in physics to SCQF Level 7. It contains topics from SCQF Level 6 and Level 7 physics. It’s ideally suited to those who have:
- a B or better in National 5 maths, and
- a pass or better in National 5 physics.
National 5 (SCQF Level 5) is equivalent to a credit pass at Standard Grade or a good pass at O-Grade. See the guide to SCQF levels.
Apply for this course