Access to Higher Education Diploma: Nursing and Midwifery


  • Start Date: 01/09/2026
  • Course is for: Adult
  • Course Length: 1 Year
  • Funding Support Funding Support:
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If you’re aged 19 years or older and want to study for a degree in Nursing or Midwifery but you didn’t get the grades or qualifications you needed the first time around, then an Access to Higher Education Nursing and Midwifery Diploma could be for you.

This one-year, intensive programme is designed to support you to get the qualifications you need to get into university to study a degree in Nursing or Midwifery.

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

On the course you will study:

  • Biology
  • Introduction to cell biology
  • Biomolecules and Key Biochemical Principles
  • Aspects of Human Physiology
  • Homeostasis
  • Human Reproductive Biology
  • Healthcare
  • The Role of the Modern Nurse and Midwife
  • Research Project (Professional Healthcare Practice)
  • Health Promotion
  • Mental Health Issues
  • Psychology
  • Defining, Classifying and Explaining Disorders
  • Approaches in Psychology
  • Lifespan Development
  • Study Skills
  • Introduction to language analysis
  • Introduction to mathematics
  • Developing your research skills
You will also complete your UCAS application and receive advice and guidance about your personal statement and student finance application.

Required Entry Qualifications

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

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.

You will complete ongoing assessments during your time with us.

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

You will also carry out your research project in professional healthcare practice.

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.

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.

Across the year, we engage with local universities to support students who are making decisions about their next steps.

We have previously engaged with:

  • Northumbria University
  • Teesside University
  • The University of Sunderland
  • New College Durham
  • Cumbria University.

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

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

Many of our students progress to local and national universities to study a degree in Midwifery or other related degree programmes.

Some of the courses our students have progressed to our:

  • Adult Nursing
  • LD Nursing
  • Mental Health Nursing
  • Children’s Nursing
  • Paramedic Sciences
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Physiotherapy
  • Nutrition
  • Dental Hygiene
  • Social Work
  • Psychology
  • Sociology

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

You can apply for an Advanced Learner Loan to cover the course fees.

This is a low interest loan with no upfront fees or payments, no credit checks and is paid back in instalments once you are earning a certain amount.

More information can be found here.

Once you have completed the Access to HE course, if you go onto complete a higher education degree course, the remaining balance of your Advanced Learner Loan, including any interest, will be ‘written off’, which means you won’t have to pay it back.

If you do apply for an Advanced Learner Loan you may also be eligible for additional grants to help with costs associated with the course such as travel or childcare through the Advanced Learner Loans.

If you are aged 19-23 and do not yet have a full level three qualification, you will get the course for free!

For one to one advice, please contact our friendly team who will be able to give you the right information. You can reach them on email at [email protected] or 0191 490 0300 or via Live Chat.

Please note: The fee shown may be subject to change. If this happens, you will be contacted directly before the course is due to start.

All courses will run subject to sufficient student numbers.

£3,384

WHAT CAN I DO WITH A QUALIFICATION IN ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION DIPLOMA: NURSING AND MIDWIFERY?

  • Midwifery Nurses
  • Registered Nurse Practitioners
  • Other Registered Nursing Professionals
  • Education Managers
  • Education Advisers and School Inspectors
  • Nursing Auxiliaries and Assistants

Knowledge

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.

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.

Biology: Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.

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.

Median Salary

£42,712

Averge Qualifications

Honours, Bachelor's degree

Apply Now

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.

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.

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.

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.

Median Salary

£37,764

Averge Qualifications

Honours, Bachelor's degree

Apply Now

Knowledge

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Median Salary

£36,408

Averge Qualifications

Honours, Bachelor's degree

Apply Now

Knowledge

Administration and Management: Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modelling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

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

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.

Personnel and Human Resources: Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labour relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.

Median Salary

£38,523

Averge Qualifications

Honours, Bachelor's degree

Apply Now

Knowledge

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.

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

Personnel and Human Resources: Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labour relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.

Administration and Management: Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modelling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Median Salary

£34,944

Averge Qualifications

Honours, Bachelor's degree

Apply Now

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.

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.

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.

Median Salary

£21,999

Averge Qualifications

Level 3 NVQ; A Levels

Apply Now

Pathways

Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing

People in these occupations diagnose, assess, and treat health problems, operate medical technology, and care for patients.

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.

Science

Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

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.

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.

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.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

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.

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.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

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.

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

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.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

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.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Mathematics

Using mathematics to solve problems.

Science

Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Skills

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.

Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

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.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

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.

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.

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.

Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

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.

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