Access to Health Care Professions

The primary aim of this Access to HE course is to prepare learners with the necessary academic skills, theoretical knowledge, and practical insights required for successful progression into university courses related to Health care, including nursing and midwifery, paramedic science or nursing associate foundation degree’s.

We strongly advise you to check the entry criteria for the degree you wish to progress to at University to ensure you meet all the requirements.

Please note. This diploma is not suitable for people who wish to apply for degrees in medicine or pharmacy.

The course will focus on academic study skills including academic writing and referencing and critical thinking. The study skills will increase verbal and written communication skills essential for effective engagement with patients, colleagues, and other stakeholders.

Your studies will include modules on:

• Cell biology
• Health promotion and inequalities in mental health

As this is a demanding A-level equivalent programme, you should have a minimum of 4 GCSEs at Grade C/4 or above including English, Maths and Science. You should also have evidence of study within the last five years.

When applying to university health degrees please check entry criteria or specific requirements. This could be having a GCSE in Science and a minimum of 15 credits of science on the access course.

You must have relevant work experience for this course. The type of work experience you need will depend upon the degree you wish to pursue at university.

• If you are interested in Midwifery as a career, you must have some experience which demonstrates your understanding of the role of a Midwife, for example as a volunteer of HCA in Ante/Post-Natal or clinics
• If you are interested in physiotherapy as a career, you should have some experience of 'shadowing' a Physiotherapist
• If you are interested in radiography as a career, you must undertake some voluntary work in a Radiography department

If you would like advice on what type of placement would be suitable, please call The Hub on 01254 292929.

You'll be assessed by examinations and essays throughout the course. Please see the individual course leaflets for details of all assessments you will complete. Successfully gaining a place on a degree course in one of these academic disciplines involves:

• Having excellent attendance on your Access Diploma
• Completing all work to a very high standard (Degrees will usually expect Distinctions in all your work)
• Having some relevant work experience to ensure you have detailed knowledge of the day-to-day role involved in the career you wish to progress onto

Upon successful completion of the Access to HE course, students are equipped to progress to undergraduate programs in health related fields.

They may pursue degrees such as nursing, midwifery, mental health nursing and paramedic science.