Access courses are designed for those who wish to apply to medical school, but do not possess the necessary qualifications. They allow students to aquire the qualifications they need, either full or part-time. Gaining a place on one of these courses does not automatically mean you will be accepted for any medical degree. However, an access course may improve your application if you do not have a scientific background. Not all medical schools recognise all access courses and so it is important to check which courses are accepted by the universities you are interested in.