Access to Higher Education

Nursing & Healthcare Professions (Midwifery) Access to Higher Education Advanced (Level 3)

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This course will provide you with all the skills and knowledge you will need to progress on to a degree-level course in midwifery or nursing.

I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do when I left school and I actually enrolled on a Holistic Therapy course at Bedford College, but then I decided to get a job in a completely different industry and worked full-time as an estate agent. However, I still didn’t feel that I had found the right career path. I had always wanted to be a midwife, but I had thought, because I didn’t have any A-Levels, that I wouldn’t be able to go to university. However, when I looked into it in more detail I discovered that the Access course offered me an alternative route to progress on to a Midwifery degree.

I’ve been really surprised but I’ve actually found the science part of the course very interesting – we went into quite a lot of detail and conducted experiments. Our science tutor was very supportive and happy to go over things again with us if we needed. We also received a lot of help with our UCAS applications in fact, quite early on in the course, we had an entire lesson covering how to apply and we went through the entire UCAS application process, including the personal statement.

It’s been an intensive course, I had at least one assignment a week to complete so I needed to be organised and up-to-date with my work. This has helped prepare me for university, where I’ll be expected to undertake independent study all the time.

Overall, I’ve really enjoyed the course and I think it’s helped me mature. At the start of the course a year ago, I was terrified at the prospect of starting university, whereas now I’ve got a place to study midwifery at the University of Hertfordshire and I can’t wait to go!

Lizzy - Nursing & Healthcare Professions (Midwifery) Access to Higher Education Level 3
Next destination » BSc (Hons) Midwifery at University of Hertfordshire

Entry requirements

This is a one-year intensive course aimed at mature students (19+) without the standard qualifications to enter higher education. GCSE English and maths is desirable; however, we may consider candidates without these qualifications, depending on an English and maths entry test, where you will need to demonstrate English and maths skills at Level 2, in addition to interviewing successfully. Additionally, 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 eventually like to apply to. You will often need a minimum of GCSE English and maths, in addition to your Access qualification, for entry onto degree-level courses. We currently offer GCSE part-time courses, which you can 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:

English
Maths
Introduction to Sociology and Psychology
Health Promotion
Research Project (IAS)
Health Studies.

Specialist Nursing & Midwifery units:

Cells
Circulation & gaseous exchange
Homeostasis
Nutrition and digestion
Reproduction and genetics
Microbiology
Psychology
Sociology.

Specialist Nursing unit:

Defence and immunity

Specialist Midwifery unit:

Midwifery foundation

Please note, 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.

Qualifications

Access to HE Diploma - Nursing & Healthcare Professions

Further study and career options

On successful completion of this course you can apply to university to study nursing or midwifery. The College has especially good links with the University of Bedfordshire. We will also support you while you complete your university application.

Additional information

To enable you to be successful on the course you will need to be able to produce essays, reports, presentations and statistical data electronically.

You will be required to attend College for three days a week on a Monday, Tuesday and Thursday (Nursing Pathway) and Wednesday, Thursday 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. You may need to purchase books relating to the course.

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).

Once we’ve processed your application you will be contacted by email.

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 7 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 3 days per week and will also be required to undertake a relevant work placement for up to 150 hours (which will support in providing valuable experience to include in UCAS applications aiding progression to Higher Education). A work placement officer may be able to support you in finding suitable places. You will also be subject to a successful DBS check. 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.