Access to Higher Education Diploma - Science & Nursing

The aim of the course is to give mature learners (19 years and over) a second chance at education by developing personal confidence and achievement, the ability to study, and guidance to help decide their future.

The course will provide a thorough grounding in the key concepts and theories they will meet during their further studies or training. Students gain an insight into a variety of subject areas and support is offered to those students wanting to apply for university. Teamwork and oral skills are promoted through group discussion during seminars, which helps prepare students for employment by encouraging interaction with colleagues.

There are 3 pathways to choose from on the course:

• Biology & Health Care
• Bioscience
• Environmental Science

The College of West Anglia is a longstanding and successful provider of Access courses. The course is full-time and is held in the daytime. (There is also a part-time version of the course for the Biology & Health Care pathway only).

You will need:

• For all pathways - GCSE grade 4 (C) or higher in English or Maths. If you only have one of those you must be prepared to complete the one you do not have.

• For Bioscience and Environmental Science pathways a GCSE grade 4 (C) or above in Science is also required. It is not required for the Biology & Health Studies pathway.

(The Biology & Health Studies pathway is also available as a part-time course).

If you do not meet the above entry requirements, you should consider our Pre-Access course in Science and Nursing.

Fee information

All our Access to Higher Education courses have a course fee which could be waived if you are aged 19-23 at the start of your course and have not completed a level 3 (or above) course before.

Otherwise, you could also consider applying for the Advanced Learner Loan to cover the cost of the course. If you complete an Access course and then progress onto and complete a degree (with us or elsewhere), you will not be required to pay back the remaining amount of your Advanced Learner Loan!

Advanced Learner Loan Information

Learners with an active Education, Health & Care Plan

If you are aged 19 - 24 at the start of your course and have an active Education, Health & Care Plan (EHCP), any course up to and including level 3 will be fully-funded by the government. This means you will not have a course fee to pay and any equipment considered essential to complete your course will be provided by the college.

What qualification will I achieve?

Our Access courses are validated by the Cambridge Access Validating Agency (CAVA) and lead to a nationally recognised qualification for entry to university level study.

How is my course assessed?

The course will be split into modules which are individually assessed. Later modules build on the skills developed in the earlier ones. Some modules use exams in the assessment process but only as part of the overall assessment some others use coursework only. The course director will give you further information about assessment on the pathway you choose.