Access to HE (Higher Education) Diploma (Nursing & Midwifery)

You must be aged 19 or older by the 31st August 2026 to be eligible for this course.

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.

Following your application, you will be contacted to complete a fee assessment. Once this has been successfully completed, you will be invited to attend an interview to ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria for the course.

During the interview, the course requirements, standards and expectations will be explained to you. You will also have the opportunity to ask any questions, and further information about how the course is delivered, the learning platform and the overall course structure will be shared with you. 

Course enrolment takes place twice a year, in September and January, in line with the moderation and awarding body requirements.

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.

The course costs £3,384 for the academic year 2026/2027.

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.

Your study commitment will depend on the pathway you choose: full-time (9 months) or part-time (18 months). For the full-time course, we recommend dedicating at least 10 hours per week to your studies to help you remain on track with your assignments and course requirement.

Full Time