Nursing - Access to Higher Education Diploma

If you would like to study Nursing at university but left school without the qualifications you need, then this Access to HE course could be for you. Each year, over 20,000 Access to HE students apply for a degree course at a UK university; if you go onto complete a relevant degree at university, your Advanced Learner Loan will be written off by Student Finance England.

Our Nursing Access to Higher Education course is specifically designed to help you gain access to nursing courses at higher education level. You will study a range of nursing topics, including nursing studies, health sciences (including biology), psychology and sociology.

You will also learn key presentation skills, seminar skills and writing skills that will be crucial at university level. Throughout the course you will undertake a research project and participate in lessons aimed at preparing you for higher education, helping you focus on developing your academic, literacy and examination skills.

From September 2020, degree-level nursing and midwifery students will have access to an annual grant of between £5,000 to £8,000, to help with living costs - the grant is not means tested and will not need to be repaid.

Topics covered can include:

Biology

• The Blood
• The CV system
• Cells
• Human Biology
• Musculoskeletal
• The Digestive System
• Drug Calculations

Psychology/Sociology

• Early Socialisation and Attachment
• Health and Illness
• Psychological Abnormalities
• Introduction to sociology
• Gender and Family
• Health inequalities

Health Studies

• The Role of Health Care Professional
• Health Promotion and Health Education

You will need:

• To be aged 19 or older
• GCSE English and Maths at grade 4 or above (or A*-C) or English and Maths Functional Skills at Level 2

All applicants must have an interview and assessment to confirm that the course is suitable for them.

This course is assessed through coursework assignments, tests and examinations throughout the course, which are set and marked by your teachers and externally moderated by OCN London.

Assessment is continuous over the whole year and is based on a number of set pieces of work such as essays, projects, presentations and tests.

Adults

Entry Level, Level 1, Level 2
If you will be aged 19 or older on 31 August in the year you begin your course, and have been resident in the UK/EU/EEA for the past 3 years, your course may be free, depending on your circumstances. Some courses will have other costs associated, such as for materials and trips. Many of our students are eligible for financial support when studying at college – please click here for more information.

Once you have completed your Access to HE course, you can progress to a Higher Education degree at a university or college. 

You should check requirements for specific degree courses - different Higher Education institutions may have different entry requirements for similar courses.