About the Course

Our Access to HE Health Professions Diploma is a fantastic way to prepare for university study. It's a fully online course with six taught hours per week (term time only), and you can choose whether to study two evenings, one weekday, or Saturday. Our team of teachers is fantastic. Meet the team and examine the exciting units you will study by clicking the tabs above.

We have an exciting range of units, including biology, psychology, sociology, research skills, and promoting health, as well as developing your study and academic writing skills.

More information on each of these roles is on https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/

English

To join one of our Access to HE courses, you will need GCSE Grade C/4 or above or Functional Skills Level 2

Maths

You can study maths alongside our courses, but please consider the time you have available to study and do assignments.

Technology

We will demonstrate the use of Teams at the beginning of the course. However, you must be able to use the Internet, send emails, and attach documents to emails. If you struggle with technology, please consider taking a short course with your local Adult Education Centre or college before joining our course.

You will need good access to the Internet and a tablet, laptop, or desktop computer. A mobile phone is not suitable.

Time

This is a part-time course. You will need to allow up to 16 hours per week during term time for studying, 6 taught hours and up to 10 hours of protected self-study time for completing assignments.

Previous Experience

Previous experience working or volunteering in health or care is an advantage, but don’t worry if you don’t have any. The great thing about Access to HE courses is that they enable people to change their careers. Some learners volunteer or work part-time in health-related settings alongside the Access to HE course, but this isn’t compulsory.

‘Find Out More’ Webinar

We are committed to providing all prospective learners with high-quality information, advice, and guidance to ensure they are on the right course at the right time. We require all prospective learners to attend or watch our one-hour webinar. The webinar is held every Wednesday evening from 6.30 to 7.30 pm. You can learn more about the course and ask us questions. If you cannot attend, you can watch a recording and email us your questions.

Click here to book a place on one of these webinars.

Please take a few minutes to watch these short videos on Maths and English requirements and how to find courses.

Course Fee: £3,380

There are various options available for funding:

• If you live in England, the course is fully funded with an Advanced Learner Loan which is written off in full when you achieve your degree. More information here.
• If you live in other UK countries including the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands, they have different funding schemes available:
  • Northern Ireland: please apply here
  • Wales, please apply here
  • Scotland, please apply here
  • The Isle of Man, please apply here
• If you are self-funding your course, we can offer a large discount on the full price of £3380 and an instalment plan. Please ask for more details.

University Funding

Student Finance England. How you are assessed and paid 2023 – 2024. Click here for more information.

Careers Service

Mediprospects operates a MATRIX accredited (Since 2012) Information, Advice and Guidance Service which is available to everyone who visits the Centre without any costs. Our Careers Advisers are trained to find out about your future aspirations and map out how you can get there. If you are unsure about your next steps in learning, work or career, our Advisers can help you make decisions that are best for you. Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) service can help you to:

• Find out what you are skilled at
• Decide about your career
• Find work
• Find learning opportunities
• Build confidence
• Prepare CV
• Get ready for job interviews
• Apply for University places
• And much more

You can also find out about your career options by visiting this website: National Careers Service.

1. Are there any entry requirements for the access course?

To join our course, you will need GCSE English Grade C/4 or above or Functional Skills Level 2.

2. Do I need experience in Health or Care work?

You don’t have to have formal health or care experience – have you cared for a family member or a friend – it all counts.

3. Can I get funding to cover the whole cost of the Access to HE course?

If you live in England, you may be entitled to a non-means-tested Student Loan to cover the whole cost of the course. This loan and any interest is written off fully once you achieve your degree. Read more about it here.

4. Can I get full funding for the Nursing or Midwifery degree and how do I pay it back?

Funding for Nursing or Midwifery Degrees are for tuition and maintenance. Read more here.

5. When does the course begin?

The week beginning 16th of September 2024.

6. If I can’t join the September Course, when are the next Courses?

March 2025.

7. How long does the course last?

Approximately 9 months.

8. How will the course be assessed? Are there any exams?

There are a range of different assessments to prepare you for university, reports, essays, tests, written questions & answers and posters.

9. Do I need to have good computer skills?

We will support you with the use of Teams, you will need a fairly good understanding of IT, use of the internet, sending emails, attaching documents to emails, using a spellchecker for example. If you don’t have fairly good IT Skills, we recommend you take a beginners course with your local college or Adult Education Centre.

10. Will I get help to apply for university?

Absolutely, we will take you through the whole process. We are a registered UCAS Centre and will submit your application along with a reference from us, electronically.

11. Will I have to travel to lessons?

No, all of our lessons are delivered live online by our team of trainers.

12. Can I apply for the course if I need additional support with my studies?

You will need a good standard of English to achieve the grades required for entry to university. If you need additional support with spoken and written English due it being a second or other language for you, we will signpost you to organisations providing support. For learners with learning differences, including Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Autism, ADHD and other hidden disabilities, we make reasonable adjustments to support you.

13. How long is the Access course valid for?

The majority of universities ask for you to demonstrate study within the last 3 to 5 years.

14. Is there an age limit on studying for a Nursing or Midwifery degree?

Not in the UK, but you can check with your chosen university to be sure.

15. What will I study in the Access course

Lots of biology to prepare you for university, along with study skills and academic writing skills.

16. How long does a Nursing or Midwifery degree take to complete?

Usually 3 years full-time and 4 years part-time.

17. Will I get support with learning differences such as Dyslexia at university?

Absolutely, read more about funding here and guidance here.

18. What can I expect to earn as a health professional?

Here are some examples: Nursing, click here, Midwifery, click here, Paramedic, click here.

19. Is it true that Midwifery places are hard to find in the UK?

There aren’t as many places for Midwifery as there are for Nursing, this is why we have a pathway for Midwifery on our course giving you the opportunity to study additional Midwifery units to make your application stronger.

20. Can I apply for jobs with an Access to HE Diploma if I don’t go to university?

Yes, of course, it's a Level 3 Qualification and equivalent to 3 A Levels.

21. Is the course recognised by UK universities?

The majority of universities accept Access to HE courses, there are very few that don't. We are registered with the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.

22. Can I meet you for an informal chat about the course before I decide to join?

We have one-hour, online open events most weeks where you can meet us, hear about the course and ask questions.