Access subjects for degree programmes

Access is designed as a pathway to undergraduate study. In order to progress onto undergraduate degrees at the University of Glasgow, you must choose the suitable Access subjects for progression.

You will most likely already have a good idea which degree programme or area of degree study you are keen to progress onto. However, we recommend that you take the time to find out more about University of Glasgow degree programmes, and the University's flexible degree structure, to help inform your choice of Access subjects.

The course pages on the main University of Glasgow website provide a comprehensive overview of each degree programme. Pay particular attention to the programme structure and course details sections of any particular degree subject webpage.

You may also be considering a joint honours degree. If so, the degree subject webpages (under 'Degrees and UCAS Codes') show what specific combinations are available. An understanding of the flexible degree structure at the University of Glasgow can also help to inform your decision of which Access subjects to choose, should your ultimate degree of interest offers be offered as a BSc, an MA or an MA (SocSci) option.  You will find more information on this, on relevant degree webpages, also within the ‘Degrees and UCAS Codes’ section.

Choosing your Access Subjects

So, before enrolling on your two Access subjects*, you must check which subjects are most suitable, or indeed required, for your intended degree path. You should also make sure to take heed of, any additional entry requirements.

Select the relevant degree programme or degree subject area below to view the Access subject combinations you should choose, and any additional entry requirements you may need, in order to meet the specific degree entry requirements.

If you are still unsure which Access subjects you need to choose in order to progress onto your intended degree, or if you have any previous qualifications achieved within the past 7 years which may contribute towards the entry requirements, please email us before completing the application form at access@glasgow.ac.uk.

Accountancy and Finance

  • Choose Economics + Maths

*N.B This degree programme requires an Access Science subject, please see 'Essential Information for those wishing to study Sciences' for more information.

Archaeology

  • Choose Archaeology + one Arts/Social Sciences ➡ Archaeology MA or MA (SocSci) programmes
  • Choose Archaeology + one Science  ➡ Archaeology BSc programmes

*N.B. if you wish to progress to a Archaeology BSc degree, this degree programme requires an Access Science subject, please see 'Essential information for those wishing to study Sciences' for more information.

Arts and Social Sciences general degrees

  • Choose any 2 Arts/Social Sciences

Business & Management

Choose Business & Management + one Arts/Social Science

Business & Management LLB ➡ see Law 

Chemical Physics

Choose Chemistry, Maths + Physics 

*N.B This degree programme requires an Access Science subject, please see 'Essential Information for those wishing to study Sciences' for more information.

Chemistry/Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry

Choose Chemistry + Maths

*N.B This degree programme requires an Access Science subject, please see 'Essential Information for those wishing to study Sciences' for more information.

Community Development

  • Choose any two Arts/Social Sciences

To progress on to this degree you must have at least two days per week of paid or unpaid work in the broad field of community development.

For more information, see Community Development webpage.

Computing Science

Choose Maths + one of Chemistry OR Physics

*N.B This degree programme requires an Access Science subject, please see 'Essential Information for those wishing to study Sciences' for more information.

Dentistry, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine

No entry via Access.

We recommend that you consider the Scottish Wider Access Programme (SWAP) for an alternative route into these professional degree areas.

Economics

Choose Economics + Maths

*N.B This degree programme requires an Access Science subject, please see 'Essential information for those wishing to study Sciences' for more information.

Engineering

Choose Maths + Physics

*N.B This degree programme requires an Access Science subject, please see 'Essential information for those wishing to study Sciences' for more information.

Environmental Geoscience

Choose any two Sciences 

*N.B This degree programme requires an Access Science subject, please see 'Essential information for those wishing to study Sciences' for more information.

Environmental Science & Sustainability (Dumfries Campus)

Choose one Science + any one other subject

*N.B This degree programme requires an Access Science subject, please see 'Essential information for those wishing to study Sciences' for more information.

Geography

Choose any two Arts/Social Sciences ➡ Geography MA or MA (SocSci) programme 

Choose any two Sciences ➡ Geography (BSc) programme 

*N.B. if you wish to progress to a Geography BSc degree, this degree programme requires an Access Science subject, please see 'Essential information for those wishing to study Sciences' for more information.

Geology

Choose Geology + one Science

*N.B. if you wish to progress to a Geology degree, this degree programme requires an Access Science subject, please see '' for more information.

Law

Choose two subjects from the following: Business & Management, Economics, English Literature, Politics, Psychology, Sociology.

Applicants may be required to sit the Law National Aptitude Test (LNAT) between September 2024 and January 2025. 

Life Sciences (Biology-base degrees)

Choose Biology + Chemistry

*N.B This degree programme requires an Access Science subject, please see 'Essential information for those wishing to study Sciences' for more information.

Mathematics

Choose Maths + one Arts/Social Science ➡ Mathematics MA programme

Choose Maths + one Science ➡ Mathematics (BSc) programme

*N.B This degree programme requires an Access Science subject, please see 'Essential information for those wishing to study Sciences' for more information.

 

Music BMus

Choose any two Arts/Social Sciences

In addition you must

  • Hold a music qualification (ideally SQA Higher or A Level, though ABRSM grade 5 theory will be considered).
  • Be at performance level of merit in grade 8 of the ABRSM practical exams.
  • In addition you must attend audition and interview (Auditions FAQs). 

Nursing

Choose Biology + Chemistry

Admission is based on successful interview.

*N.B This degree programme requires an Access Science subject, please see 'Essential information for those wishing to study Sciences' for more information.

Physics/Physics with Astrophysics

Choose Maths + Physics

*N.B This degree programme requires an Access Science subject, please see 'Essential information for those wishing to study Sciences' for more information.

Psychology

Choose Psychology + one Arts/Social Sciences subject ➡ MA or MA (SocSci)

Choose Psychology + one Science ➡ Psychology BSc

In order to progress to Psychology BSc/MA/MA(SocSci) degrees at the University of Glasgow you will also need National 5 Maths, or equivalent, at Grade B or above.  If you do not have a suitable Maths qualification awarded within the last 7 years, you MUST study a Level 5 Maths course in addition to Access. You could study the University of Glasgow Lifelong Learning Accelerated Level 5 Maths course, National 5 Maths at an FE College, or through another provider (such as University of Aberdeen online SCQF L5 Maths). These qualifications must be included in your UCAS application and must be completed before progressing onto undergraduate study.

Additionally, if you wish to progress to a Psychology BSc degree, this degree programme requires an Access Science subject, please see 'Essential information for those wishing to study Sciences' for more information.

Teaching - Education with Primary Teaching Qualification

Choose any two Arts/Social Sciences*

*If you do not have Higher English (or equivalent) at Grade A or B, awarded within the last 7 years, choose Access English Literature as one of your two subjects.

Note: All applicants to any Teaching degree must also have National 5 Maths (or equivalent) at Grade A or B, usually awarded within the last 7 years. This is a stipulation of the General Teaching Council for Scotland. If you do not have this qualification, or it was awarded outwith the 7-years, you must take this qualification at an FE College or other provider (such as University of Aberdeen online SCQF 5 Maths). These qualifications must already be started and listed on your UCAS form.

Admission is also based on your UCAS personal statement and successful interview.

Note: there is no entry to Primary Education with Teaching Qualification (Dumfries Campus) MA via Access.

Teaching - Design & Technology Education (MDTechEd)

Choose any Maths + Physics*

*In order to progress to Design and Technology Education (Teaching) degree (MDTechEd) at the University of Glasgow you will also need Higher English, or equivalent, at Grade A or B, usually awarded within the last 7 years. This is a stipulation of the the General Teaching Council for Scotland. If you do not have this qualification, or it was awarded outwith the 7-year period, you must study Higher English at an FE College or other provider (such as University of Aberdeen online SCQF 6 English) alongside your two Access courses. These qualifications must already be started at the point of UCAS application.

Note: All applicants to any Teaching degree must also have National 5 Maths (or equivalent) at Grade A or B, usually awarded within the last 7 years. This is a stipulation of the General Teaching Council for Scotland. If you do not have this qualification, or it was awarded outwith the 7-years, you must take this qualification at an FE College or other provider (such as University of Aberdeen online SCQF 5 Maths). These qualifications must already be started and listed on your UCAS form.

Admission is also based on your UCAS personal statement and successful interview.

Veterinary Biosciences

Choose Biology + Chemistry

*N.B This degree programme requires an Access Science subject, please see 'Essential information for those wishing to study Sciences' for more information.

ScotGEM programme

Choose Chemistry