Access to Higher Education: Allied Health Professionals


  • Start Date: 31/08/2026
  • Course is for: Adult
  • Course Length: 1 Year
  • Funding Support Funding Support:
    What is this
  • Learning Support:
    Find Out More

If you’re 19 years or older and dream of working in the NHS Allied Health Professions such as Dietitians, Occupational Therapists, Osteopaths, Paramedics, Physiotherapists and Radiographers but don’t yet have the qualifications you need, then our Access to HE Diploma in Allied Health Professions could be for you.

The course is validated through Ascentis and is a recognised QAA qualification.

This one-year intensive programme is designed to support you to get the qualifications you need to get into university to study for a degree in the Allied Health Professions.

Run by a team of friendly, supportive and approachable teaching professionals, the course has been designed to support you in your career journey.

For more information on Allied Health Professions, please visit the NHS Allied Health Professionals Website.

On the course you will study:

    Biology
  • Introduction to cell biology
  • Biomolecules and Key Biochemical Principles
  • Aspects of Human Physiology
  • Homeostasis
    Chemistry
  • Core Principles of chemistry
    Mathematics
  • Introduction to mathematics
  • Foundations in Statistics
    Psychology and Sociology
  • Defining, classifying and explaining disorders
  • Approaches in psychology
  • Lifespan development
  • Research project (social issues in healthcare)
  • Health and illness
    English
  • Introduction to language analysis
  • Language to persuade

Required Entry Qualifications

The standard entry requirements are GCSE grade 4 or above in maths and English or Level 2 Functional Skills (only for certain degrees).

GCSEs in Science might be a requirement for some Allied Health Degrees, so it is worth checking on the entry requirements page of your preferred degree.

If you have relevant industry experience in the heath or social care sector or personal experience in a caring role for a family member, for example caring for a family member with a disability, we would encourage you to apply.

£3,384

You will complete ongoing assessments during your time with us.

This will include essays, reports, portfolios, case studies, exams and other assessment types to help you show your understanding of the topics covered in the course.

You will also carry out your own research project into social issues in healthcare.

Our teachers are ambitious, talented and passionate about making your experience at college the very best it can be.

They have up-to-date industry experience to share with you and the energy and enthusiasm to help you get where you need to be.

They also understand that returning to study as an adult can be tough and that you’ll have lots of other priorities to juggle.

They pride themselves on offering lots of one-to-one support to help you do your very best.

Students on the access course make use of facilities at the Baltic campus including our libraries, laboratories, clinical practice rooms and classroom environments.

You will have access to our Careers and Guidance team to help you with your university application and to help you prepare for interviews and assessments.

Although work experience is not a mandatory element of this course we strongly recommend you complete voluntary work in a health environment to support your progression to university.

There may be opportunities to gain work experience with our own employer partners.

We can support you through this and we have our very own industry placement and business development team ready to offer help and advice.

Many of our students progress to local and national universities to study degree programmes.

Some of the courses our students have progressed to are:

  • Paramedic Sciences
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Social Work
  • Psychology
  • Operating Department Practitioner
  • Dietetics
  • Osteopathy
  • Physiotherapy
  • Podiatry
  • Radiography
  • Speech and Language Therapy.

To search university programmes and their entry requirements, you can use the UCAS website.

One of our former students had this to say about our access course.

“If someone had told me a few years ago that I’d be on my way to Durham University I honestly would have laughed in their face. Gateshead College has totally helped me turn my life around and aim for something I never thought I would ever do. I’m so indebted to everyone who has supported me throughout and I am beyond grateful.”

Between now and the start of the course, do some research into UCAS personal statements. You will need to do one as part of your UCAS application.

Visit BBC Bitesize and have a look at some of the level two English and Maths revision packages on offer.

Look at the science revision packages too, if this is relevant to your course!

WHAT CAN I DO WITH A QUALIFICATION IN ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION: ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS?

  • Occupational Therapists
  • Medical Radiographers
  • Physiotherapists
  • Paramedics

Knowledge

Therapy and Counselling: Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counselling and guidance.

Psychology: Knowledge of human behaviour and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioural and affective disorders.

Education and Training: Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Sociology and Anthropology: Knowledge of group behaviour and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.

Median Salary
£34,831

Average Qualifications
Honours, Bachelor's degree

Find Out More

Knowledge

Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Medicine and Dentistry: Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.

Computers and Electronics: Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Psychology: Knowledge of human behaviour and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioural and affective disorders.

Median Salary
£45,791

Average Qualifications
Honours, Bachelor's degree

Find Out More

Knowledge

Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Education and Training: Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Therapy and Counselling: Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counselling and guidance.

Psychology: Knowledge of human behaviour and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioural and affective disorders.

Medicine and Dentistry: Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.

Median Salary
£35,368

Average Qualifications
Honours, Bachelor's degree

Find Out More

Knowledge

Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Education and Training: Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Psychology: Knowledge of human behaviour and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioural and affective disorders.

Medicine and Dentistry: Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.

English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Median Salary
£42,870

Average Qualifications
Level 3 NVQ; A Levels

Find Out More

Pathways

Natural Sciences
People in these occupations observe the natural order, formulate theories, run tests, and conduct experiments.
Public Services
People in these occupations administrate government programmes and services, work in the justice system, and ensure regulatory compliance.

Pathways

Natural Sciences
People in these occupations observe the natural order, formulate theories, run tests, and conduct experiments.
Public Services
People in these occupations administrate government programmes and services, work in the justice system, and ensure regulatory compliance.

Skills

Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Learning Strategies
Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Mathematics
Using mathematics to solve problems.
Science
Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Skills

Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Learning Strategies
Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Mathematics
Using mathematics to solve problems.
Science
Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Skills

Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Learning Strategies
Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Mathematics
Using mathematics to solve problems.
Science
Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Skills

Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Learning Strategies
Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Mathematics
Using mathematics to solve problems.
Science
Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
Two womens football players laughing whilst sat on a bench Two students playing basketball

JOIN OUR SPORTS ACADEMIES

Eight specialist sport academies, all offering first class training, coaching and playing opportunities for everyone, regardless of what you study.

Find out more

Connect with our Academy socials:

School Leaver Course Guide 2026/2027

View or download our course guide for 16-18 year olds.

Gateshead College School leaver guide_26-27