This is a one year Level 3 intensive course aimed at mature students (19+) without the standard qualifications to enter higher education. You will focus on developing core skills and knowledge in health, social sciences and science.
Entry requirements
You must be aged 19 or over to apply and will need to have English Language and maths GCSE at grade 4 (GCSE Grade C) or above or equivalent Level 2 qualifications. Applicants may be accepted on the Access Diploma with one of these, subject to a successful interview and entry test to show you are working at level 2. You will have to gain the other level 2 during the same year to progress to university. If your first language is not English will need an IELTS score of 5.5 or higher.
You will also need to have good IT skills as all of your assignments will be carried out using either Word, Excel or PowerPoint. You can undertake IT Skills classes at our Learning Centres.
It is very important to research the entry criteria of the universities you would like to apply to. You will need a minimum of GCSE English and maths, in addition to your Access qualification, for entry onto degree-level courses. We currently offer GCSE and Functional Skills which you may be able to enrol on alongside your Access course to gain these qualifications. Many university courses can be very competitive and it’s important to understand and fulfil the entry requirements prior to applying.
Work experience (paid or voluntary) in a health care setting will improve your chances.
Course content
During the course you will study the following units:
Core Skills
- English
- Maths
- Research Project
- Study Skills
Health and Social Science Units
- Introduction to Psychology
- Sociology of Health
- Developing Professional Practice
- Health Promotion
- Understand Mental Health
Specialist Nursing & Midwifery units:
- Cells, tissues and organs
- Blood and Circulation
- Homeostasis
- Nutrition and digestion
- Reproductive biology
- Disease and defence
- Mendelian and genetics
- Drugs and food additives
NB: units subject to change.
Assessment methods
You will be regularly assessed throughout out the course via a range of methods, including written, practical and oral assignments, as well as project work. To enable you to be successful on the course you will need to be able to use IT to produce essays, reports, presentations and statistical data.
Qualifications
Access to HE Diploma Healthcare Professions
Further study and career options
You will be required to attend College for two days a week on a Monday and Thursday (Nursing Pathway) and Wednesday and Friday (Midwifery Pathway). The proposed times of the College day will 9.15am to 4.45pm. You will also be expected to study for approximately 15 hours a week outside of college some of which will be online learning. You may need to purchase books relating to the course.
Additional information
On successful completion of this course you can apply to university to study nursing or midwifery and a range of other healthcare courses. The College has especially good links with the University of Bedfordshire. We will also support you while you complete your university application.
Please declare if you have English and maths GCSEs and/or Functional Skills qualifications – this information is required (please note: you will need to provide evidence prior to enrolment).
Pay by instalments
The College offers an instalment plan for Further Education and Higher Education courses to students where the total amount payable at the point of enrolment is £200 or more. Within the scheme there is an ability to pay up to 6 instalments, depending on the length of the courses and the final payment must be paid at least a month before the end of the course.
Funding information
If you are aged 19 or over, you may qualify for an Advanced Learner Loan to help you pay the tuition fees for this course. Alternatively, you can pay by instalments to help make the cost more affordable. Find out more about your payment options at www.bedford.ac.uk/loans.
If you complete one of our Access to Higher Education courses and use an Advanced Learner Loan to pay for your tuition fee, the Student Loans Company will write off the balance on the Advanced Learner Loan if you then go on to complete an undergraduate course.
18 year olds may apply and will need to have English Language and Maths GCSE at grade C (4) or above or equivalent level 2 qualifications before the start of the course and be subject to a successful interview. Successful applicants will be in college for 2 days per week and will also be required to undertake additional studies up to 50 hours (which will support in providing valuable experience to include in UCAS applications aiding progression to Higher Education). If you are successful you may qualify for a free place. Alternatively we offer Level 2 and Level 3 courses that may be funded for 16-18 year olds.