About the course

The Access to HE Diploma in Health Professions is designed to prepare students for study at university level, particularly for degrees in nursing, midwifery, paramedicine, physiotherapy, and other health-related fields. The course develops the academic knowledge, research abilities, and study skills needed for successful progression to higher education.

Learners will explore a wide range of key themes, including:

Academic Skills and Preparation for Higher Education – Academic Writing, Preparation for Higher Education, Communication, Listening and Speaking, and Numeracy in a Health-Related Context.
Health and Care Practice – Professional Behaviours: Nursing in Health Professions, Safeguarding in Children, Young People and/or Vulnerable Adults, and Equality and Diversity within Care Services.
Health Sciences and Human Biology – Introduction to Biology: Cells and Tissues, Human Anatomy and Physiology, The Endocrine System, Homeostasis, Human Reproduction, and An Introduction to Health and Disease.
Public Health – Promoting Health, Health Inequalities, and Government Policy in Relation to Current Health Issues.
Psychology and Research – Introduction to Psychology and Research Project for Health or Care.

Students will complete a range of assessments, including written assignments, presentations, reports, and research projects, to build confidence in academic study and professional communication.

On completion, learners can progress to university-level study in a range of health-related disciplines, including nursing, midwifery, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and radiography. Applicants are advised to check individual university entry requirements to ensure the science credits achieved meet specific degree prerequisites if they do not already hold a GCSE in Science.

Entry Requirements

Applicants must hold GCSE or Level 2 Functional Skills qualifications in both English and Maths at the point of enrolment, and evidence of these qualifications must be provided. Please note that some universities do not accept Level 2 Functional Skills qualifications and may require GCSEs instead. In addition, certain courses, such as midwifery, may require a GCSE in Science. It is the responsibility of applicants to check the specific entry requirements of their chosen university before applying.

Modules

• Academic Writing

• Preparation for Higher Education

• Communication, Listening and Speaking

• Numeracy in a Health-Related Context

• Professional Behaviours: Nursing in Health Professions

• Safeguarding in Children, Young People and/or Vulnerable Adults

• Equality and Diversity within Care Services

• Introduction to Biology: Cells and Tissues

• Human Anatomy and Physiology

• Human Reproduction

• Homeostasis

• The Endocrine System

• An Introduction to Health and Disease

• Promoting Health

• Health Inequalities

• Government Policy in Relation to Current Health Issues

• Introduction to Psychology

• Research Project for Health or Care

Assessment

The Access to HE Diploma uses a variety of assessment methods, including essays, posters, presentations, practical tasks, report writing, and examinations. These approaches mirror the types of assessment used in higher education and help learners develop the academic and study skills needed for university-level study.

Careers & Progression

Successful completion of the Access to HE Diploma in Health Professions enables learners to progress to a wide range of higher education courses, leading to professional careers in health and social care. Potential progression routes include adult nursing, children’s nursing, midwifery, paramedic science, and occupational therapy, among others.