Nursing and Midwifery Access to HE Diploma

Access courses are for mature students (19+) who have been out of full-time education for a year or more and would like to progress to higher education but do not have the formal qualifications needed.

The Nursing and Midwifery Access to HE Diploma offers the opportunity to study a range of humanities subjects at Level 3 (equivalent to A-level). It also offers the chance to re-take GCSE English and achieve a qualification equivalent to GCSE Maths. In addition you are offered tuition in study skills and tutorial support.

To gain an access diploma you must achieve 60 credits, 45 of which must be at Level 3. Assessments are a mixture of essays, structured questions, presentations and examinations.
An access course takes one year to complete. You may also need to study GCSE English which is an additional course (with an additional fee) but can be timetabled to fit in with the access diploma. If English is your second language and the GCSE is not an appropriate route then you will need to work towards achieving the required IELTS standard for your chosen university course.
You study the following modules:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Psychology
- Study Skills
- Mathematics
This pathway supports applications to a wide variety of degree programmes in the healthcare sector. Many of our students go on to study adult nursing but we also have those who have studied midwifery, occupational therapy, children’s nursing, physiotherapy, mental health nursing and dietetics.
You are assessed through course work (assignment reports, projects and presentations) practicals, exams and work completed in class. If you require GCSE English you will need to sit exams in these subjects. Individual learning targets are set each term and you receive regular feedback on your progress in meeting these targets.
The majority of your learning time is classroom based and in class there is a wide range of learning activities. A strong emphasis is placed on working and learning with others and you are regularly set tasks to complete in partnership with other students.
You also need to be able to work independently and take responsibility for your own learning. As the access to HE diploma is very intensive and only one year long we expect you to spend 10-15 hours per week outside the class studying, researching and completing assignments. Your learning will be supported and enhanced by a virtual learning environment site dedicated to the course.

You will develop the skills necessary for further academic study, such as strong report writing, essay writing and study skills including presentation skills. You also improve the wider skills vital for success in further study or employment including self-confidence, speaking in front of others, working with others, taking responsibility and managing your time.

There are no formal entry requirements but you do need to attend an initial assessment (tests on numeracy, literacy and a written discussion on a given topic) to ensure this programme is at the most appropriate level for you.
We can also identify any support needs you may have so that study support can be put into place. Good performance at interview is also essential.
Through interviewing and pre-course assessment you need to be able to demonstrate that you have the ability to complete an intensive Level 3 diploma in one year.
Appropriate work experience showing understanding and skills seen in your desired profession would be advantageous and for some university courses is essential. In particular the healthcare courses often demand recent and applicable experience - physiotherapy, midwifery and occupational therapy are well known for this.
Therefore relevant work experience is a pre-requisite of the access course if you are aiming for a professional course as there will be little time for you to complete the relevant work experience alongside the course.
Applicants should be committed to furthering their education and be committed to completing the programme. You should also have researched into your chosen career and courses offered by universities.

Students can move on to higher education courses at degree level in humanities as well as teacher training and social work.

Our students are very successful in gaining places at excellent universities. Some of them choose to stay close to home and study at Oxford Brookes (where there is a guaranteed place on their undergraduate modular degree programme for local students), Ruskin College, Northampton, Reading, Coventr,y Warwick and Birmingham. Others move further afield including attending the London colleges. You will be helped with your university application when you start the course.