Nursing - Level 3 Access to Higher Education Diploma

Please select 'View Details' on your chosen centre for information about this course.

If you would like to study nursing at university but left school without the qualifications you need, then this Access to Higher Education Diploma could be the perfect route for you.

Designed specifically for adults returning to education, this course will help you gain the knowledge, confidence and qualifications needed to progress to university and study adult, child, mental health or learning disability nursing — or even midwifery.

Accredited by OCN London, this nationally recognised qualification is worth 60 credits and is broadly equivalent to three A Levels in UCAS tariff points.

At CCC, the course is delivered full-time by experienced, supportive tutors who are specialists in health and social sciences. You’ll study a combination of theory and practical sessions in our health and science facilities, alongside dedicated support to develop your academic writing, literacy, numeracy and higher education preparation skills.

You will also be supported throughout the course by a personal tutor who will guide you with your studies and help you prepare your UCAS application for university.

Did you know?
If you complete a university degree after your Access to HE Diploma, your Advanced Learner Loan will be written off by Student Finance England.

You will study a range of subjects designed to build your understanding of health, science and social care — and to prepare you for the demands of higher education.

Core topics include:

• Study Skills – essay writing, note-taking, exam preparation, speaking and listening skills
• Human Biology – cells, cardiovascular system, musculoskeletal system, digestive system and the blood
• Psychology and Sociology – early socialisation and attachment, psychological abnormalities, health and illness, gender and family, and health inequalities

You’ll also explore key professional behaviours and values relevant to the nursing and healthcare professions.

You will study a range of subjects designed to build your understanding of health, science and social care — and to prepare you for the demands of higher education.

Core topics include:

• Study Skills – essay writing, note-taking, exam preparation, speaking and listening skills
• Human Biology – cells, cardiovascular system, musculoskeletal system, digestive system and the blood

You’ll also explore key professional behaviours and values relevant to the nursing and healthcare professions.

Assessment is continuous throughout the year and is based on a variety of coursework and class-based tasks, including:

• Essays and reports
• Presentations
• Research projects
• Tests and exams

All assignments are marked by your tutors and externally moderated by OCN London to ensure consistent national standards.

Adults - Access to Higher Education

This course may be free if you meet certain conditions:

• If you are not working or have a low income. You need to show proof of your income or benefits.
• If you are aged 19-23 and you do not have a full Level 3 qualification (a full L3 is the equivalent of two A-levels at A* - E grade). You need to show us proof of any qualifications you already have.
• Residency rules apply. You need to show you have permission to live, work and study in the UK without conditions, and live in London If you live outside London, you need to pay fees.
• There are some exceptions, such as certain visa types.

Check here which documents you need to show us, and which visa types are allowed.

If you do not meet the residency rules, you can still enrol on the course but you may have to pay some fees. All applicants are fee-assessed during enrolment.

If you are not eligible for a free or reduced-cost course, you need to pay the full fee yourself, or apply for an Advanced Learner Loan.

If you have to pay for your course, and decide to apply for an Advanced Learner Loan (ALL), the residency rules are different: https://www.gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan.

Some courses have additional costs, such as for specialist materials and trips.

Many of our students are eligible for financial support. See here for details.

If you are aged 19-24 and this is your first Level 3 course, you may be eligible for free tuition.

If you are 24 years or older you will need to apply for an Advanced Learner Loan. Student Finance England will ‘write off’ any outstanding Advanced Learner Loan balances you owe for an Access to HE course once you complete a higher education course. This means you do not have to repay it if you complete your University degree course.

Successful completion of the Access to HE Diploma (Nursing) will allow you to apply for university degree programmes such as:

• BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing
• BSc (Hons) Children’s Nursing
• BSc (Hons) Mental Health Nursing

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

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 on to complete a relevant degree at university, your Advanced Learner Loan will be written off by Student Finance England.

This course will help you get the qualifications you need to study nursing or a related course at university.

You will learn study skills such as note taking, essay writing, reading and research, preparation for exams and oral presentation.

You will be supported throughout the course by a personal tutor who will also give you guidance in applying for Higher Education courses.

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 non-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); however, you will be considered for the course if you have one GCSE at grade A*-C in Maths or English and the other at grade D with the offer of GCSE classes in addition to the course
• Ideally, a GCSE in Science, or equivalent qualification

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

Please note that applicants for a degree in Nursing are expected to have significant experience of voluntary or paid work in a healthcare setting.

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 - Access to Higher Education

This course may be free if you meet certain conditions:

• If you are not working or have a low income. You need to show proof of your income or benefits.
• If you are aged 19-23 and you do not have a full Level 3 qualification (a full L3 is the equivalent of two A-levels at A* - E grade). You need to show us proof of any qualifications you already have.
• Residency rules apply. You need to show you have permission to live, work and study in the UK without conditions, and live in London If you live outside London, you need to pay fees.
• There are some exceptions, such as certain visa types.

Check here which documents you need to show us, and which visa types are allowed.

If you do not meet the residency rules, you can still enrol on the course but you may have to pay some fees. All applicants are fee-assessed during enrolment.

If you are not eligible for a free or reduced-cost course, you need to pay the full fee yourself, or apply for an Advanced Learner Loan.

If you have to pay for your course, and decide to apply for an Advanced Learner Loan (ALL), the residency rules are different: https://www.gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan.

Some courses have additional costs, such as for specialist materials and trips.

Many of our students are eligible for financial support. See here for details.

If you are aged 19-24 and this is your first Level 3 course, you may be eligible for free tuition.

If you are 24 years or older you will need to apply for an Advanced Learner Loan. Student Finance England will ‘write off’ any outstanding Advanced Learner Loan balances you owe for an Access to HE course once you complete a higher education course. This means you do not have to repay it if you complete your University degree course.

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.