Access To Higher Education Diploma (Nursing & Midwifery)

You must be aged 19 or above at enrolment in August. You must have at least one GCSE at grade C or 4 or above in either English Language or Maths, or a Level 2 qualification in Functional Skills. Evidence of this will be required during the application process. 

Ideally, you will hold both English and Maths qualifications. 

If you currently hold only one of these qualifications, you may be able to work towards the one you do not have while studying for your Access Diploma. This will depend on you being accepted onto a Level 2 course, either GCSE or Functional Skills. 

Many universities require GCSE Maths and English rather than equivalent qualifications. It is your responsibility to check the specific entry requirements of the university or college you wish to progress to. Please note that if you wish to progress onto a Midwifery degree at university, you will need GCSE Maths, English and Science at grade C or above.

You will study academic skills alongside subject focused units such as introduction to healthcare, health and disease, principles of care, sociology of health, mental health, human anatomy and physiology, and independent research. 

Assessment is through a range of methods which may include written assignments, presentations and examinations, helping you prepare for the demands of higher education in healthcare.

This course costs £3384 for 2027 entry.

You may be entitled to a 19+ Advanced Learner Loan to cover the costs of your Access course. Loan eligibility does not depend on your income and there are no credit checks. 

Student Finance England, who are responsible for student loans will ‘write off’ any outstanding Advanced Learner Loan balances for your Access to HE course as soon as you complete a higher education course. 

This means you do not have to repay your Advanced Learner Loan if you progress to higher education and complete your degree programme.

You can progress to health related higher education programmes at university or college, including nursing, midwifery, and allied health professions such as occupational therapy. 

Please note: if you wish to study Paramedic Science, you will need to complete the Access to HE Science Diploma rather than the Access to HE Nursing and Midwifery Diploma.

1 year

Full Time