Start Date
Wed 3rd September 2025
Attendance
Full-time
Duration
1 Years
Location
Poole Campus
*Advanced learner loan available
Subject Area
Health, Care and Science
Attendance
Full-time
Duration
1 Years
Location
Poole Campus
Please Note: The deadline for the academic year of 2024/25 has passed. The next intake of students will be in September 2025.
This is a popular, nationally recognised, Access to HE course designed for students who are planning to continue with their career related studies into Higher Education in a wide range of Health, Nursing, Midwifery or Allied Health Professions. We work in close partnership with local universities and many students use this Access to HE course as a route into a full degree. This course is designed for over 19 year olds.
Bursaries for Nursing students
Students progressing to university will now have access to new annual payments of at least £5,000 if they study eligible Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health courses. Best of all, they won’t need to be repaid! Find out more at healthcareers.nhs.uk/nursing-careers/annual-nursing-payments
Subjects studied may include:
Midwifery, Nursing and Health Professions
Please note that the Academic Content will be tailored to suit your progression pathway. Please contact our Advice and Guidance team, or a member of our specialist staff for more information.
This is a very popular course and early application is advised.
Applicants should have experience of care work before commencing the course. Adults enrolling on an Access to HE course have made a conscious decision to return to education, bringing a commitment and wider life experience to their studies. Our Access course is designed to reflect this with applicants demonstrating clear commitment, maturity and motivation. The course is intended for adults who do not have traditional sixth-form or vocational qualifications, allowing them to prepare for and gain entry to degrees and other Higher Education programmes.
Learners are admitted to the programme by application form and formal interview, with a further guidance interview where appropriate. Where necessary, evidence of your determination to succeed may be requested.
To apply you must have already achieved a Level 2 or above in English and maths, producing certificates/evidence of this at interview.
You will produce a portfolio of work relating to both your compulsory units and your specialist units. There will be some tested elements to the course in order to practise exam technique.
To achieve an Access to HE Diploma you will need to pass a minimum of 60 credits with 45 credits in Academic Content and 15 credits in Academic Preparation skills.
It is expected that you will have experience of, and currently be working in (paid or voluntary), a professional care environment. Universities will expect candidates to have relevant care experience upon application.
This course has an excellent track record for progression. Many students choose to continue their HE studies in subjects such as BSc Nursing, BSc Midwifery, BSc Exercise Science and Rehabilitation, BSc Nutrition, BSc Occupational Therapy, Diploma/BSc Operating Department Practitioner, BSc Physiotherapy, BSc Radiography, BSc Psychology and BSc Speech and Language Therapy.
There are excellent progression routes offered at universities, both locally and further afield. Many of our Access students have opted for Degrees in Psychology with Criminology at Southampton Solent, and Occupational Therapy, Nutrition, Nursing and Midwifery at the University of Southampton. Nursing at Bournemouth University is also a popular progression choice.
Some students undertake employment in their chosen field to consolidate their experience before they progress on to university.
£3,328
ELCAS ELIGIBLE
Venue:
This course is taught at North Road, Poole.
Contacts:
The College Helpline: 01202 205205
E-mail: enquiries@thecollege.co.uk
Course Administrator: 01202 205205
Funding:
Depending on your age and circumstances you may be entitled to receive significant financial help and/or benefits, and in some cases you may be able to attend the course at no cost to you.
Are you aged between 19 and 23?: Any student who does not have a full level 3 qualification (such as A levels) and is aged 19 - 23 is eligble for support to reduce their fees. The amount will vary according to individual circumstances, so please contact us on 01202 205205 for help. If you have an A level or similar qualification, please talk to the Adult Guidance Team as other courses may be more suitable for you.
Are you aged 19+? You could study an Access to HE Diploma for FREE!
You can take out an Advanced Learner Loan to cover the cost of your Access to HE Diploma and if you go on to successfully complete your full Degree, the Government will write off your Advanced Learner Loan debt.
thecollege.co.uk/advanced-learner-loan
There is an online guide that explains qualification levels. You can find it at:
thecollege.co.uk/adult-skills/guide-qualifications
Resources:
The College's extensive facilities include excellent resource centres offering access to the Internet, CDs, videos, audio visual packages and CD Rom, as well as a stock of over 75,000 books and periodicals. Study areas/quiet rooms are available and there is also an area dedicated to careers reference material.
Awarding Body:
CAVA (Cambridge Access Validating Agency)
Curriculum Area:
Science, Care, Health and Foundation - Science, Health and Humanities
Start Date
Wed 3rd September 2025
Attendance
Full-time
Duration
1 Years
Location
Poole Campus
*Advanced learner loan available