Course description
If you live in England, you might be able to do this course for FREE, see ‘Additional Information' tab for more details.
Apply today and our team will confirm if you could qualify for free place, with no obligation.
Are you interested in a rewarding career in healthcare, yet worry that a lack of time could prevent you from learning the skills and knowledge needed to take that next step? If you are aged 19 or over and aspire to go to university to study a healthcare-related degree, an Access to Higher Education Online Diploma is the route for you.
This course is delivered fully online and is a fast-track route to the healthcare profession you have always wanted! Online learning means that you can study flexibly, at times to suit you and your lifestyle. Get the skills and qualifications you need to progress to university starting on your way to a career in the NHS or other related healthcare organisations.
As a one-year programme, it also means that you will be ready for university in less time than if you followed the traditional A-level route. Not to mention, if you pay with an Adult Learner Loan and progress directly to university after this course, the government will write off your loan!
The course is validated and moderated by Ascentis under license from the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education and comprises of 60 credits, of which 45 are graded and 15 ungraded. You will study towards 3 credits in Preparing to Progress, 3 credits in academic writing and 54 credits over the three subjects Biology, Psychology and Professional Health Care Practice.
Benefits of studying with Activate Learning:
- Designed exclusively for adults (19+)
- Supportive environment provided through tutors with subject expertise and includes guidance webinars for every module.
- One year programme equivalent to three A Levels, allowing you to achieve the qualification you need to progress to university.
- Widely recognised and accepted qualification by UK universities. This is validated and moderated by Ascentis under licence from the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education
- Help and guidance on writing your personal statement and completing your UCAS application
- Flexible learning enabling you to study whilst working and personal commitments
- Funding with the Advanced Learner Loan available.
Remember: If you go on to study at university and complete a degree, the loan for your Access course is written off by the government.
Upcoming start dates
Suitability - Who should attend?
You must meet the following entry criteria:
- Aged 19+ at the start of the academic year.
- Living in the UK.
- Already hold a grade C/4 or above in GCSE maths and GCSE English Language or equivalent such as Functional Skills Level 2. If you hold international qualifications, we can assess these to see if you meet the criteria.
- Passing an entry assessment in maths and English.
*For your application to be processed, we are required to view your official certificates. These can be requested from the awarding body if you no longer have them.
You will be NOT be able to study maths and/or English GCSEs alongside this course.
Outcome / Qualification etc.
An Access to HE Diploma will help you to progress to study at university. It will also help you improve your employment prospects. As well as developing subject knowledge, you will improve your communication, personal and study skills through a core programme that also provides one-to-one tutorial support.
This particular pathway is designed for anyone wanting to progress into a career in the NHS or other health related organisations. This can lead to a career working with families, children and young people, the elderly, vulnerable people, and those in crisis.
Training Course Content
The main aim of this course is to prepare students for study at university. Students will receive subject specific study skills preparation, as well as tuition in subjects that are relevant to their chosen degree course.
You will study modules covering Introduction to Cell Biology, Aspects of Human Physiology, Planning a Practical Investigation, Biomolecules, Introduction to Psychology, Child Development, Psychological Investigation and Psychological Perspective and Behaviours, Introduction to Professional Healthcare Practice, Health Promotion and a Research Project.
This course is designed for anyone wanting to progress into a career in the NHS or other health related organisations. You can progress on to higher education to study for some of the various roles that come under the banner of nursing and midwifery professions, including; adult nurse, children's nurse, therapist, learning disability nurse, research midwife, midwife and maternity nurse, midwifery practitioner, neonatal nurse and maternity support worker.
As well as developing subject knowledge, you will improve your communication, personal and study skills through a core programme that also provides one-to-one tutorial support.
Activate Learning has helped over 3,000 Access to HE students progress on to university. OFSTED rated us ‘good' in December 2017, with many outstanding features for our Access programmes.
Course delivery details
Teaching will be delivered by way of self-directed learning with access to regular tutor support. Additional webinars and online forums for group discussions are also available throughout your studies. You will be assessed through coursework. All assessments are internally and externally verified through a rigorous and robust process to ensure all grading is consistent, fair and provides developmental feedback.
You will study modules in Study Skills, Psychology, Biology and Professional Healthcare Practice. Credits are gained through the coursework. We would advise for you to check with your chosen University to ensure they accept these units for your chosen course before you apply.
One subject will be covered at a time and a tutor with specialist subject knowledge will be assigned to guide and support you on your learning journey. Although the workload of the course is intensive, it is structured in a way that recognizes the pressures on adult learners. Many students successfully balance a healthy work/home life whilst studying the course and Activate Learning has helped over 3,000 Access to HE students' progress on to university.
- Non-Academic: Preparing to Progress 3 credits (Ungraded) Preparing to progress Booklet
- Non-Academic: Academic Writing 3 credits (Ungraded) Academic Writing Booklet and essay
- Psychology: Introduction to Psychology 3 credits (Ungraded) 2000-word essay
- Psychology: Child Development 3 credits (Graded) 2000-word essay
- Psychology: Psychological Perspectives and Behaviours 6 credits (Graded) 3500-word essay
- Psychology: Psychological Investigation 6 credits (Graded) 3500-word Research Report
- Biology: Introduction to Cell Biology 3 credits (Ungraded) 2000-word assignment
- Biology: Aspects of Human Physiology 6 credits (Graded) 3500-word assignment
- Biology: Human reproductive Biology 3 credits (Graded) 2000-word assignment
- Biology: Biomolecules and Biological Principles 6 credits (Graded) 3500-word assignment
- Professional Healthcare Practice: Introduction to PHP 3 credits (Ungraded) 2000-word essay
- Professional Healthcare Practice: Health Promotion 3 credits (Graded) 2000-word essay
- Professional Healthcare Practice: Society and Community Healthcare Provision 6 credits (Graded) 3000-word essay and Presentation
- Professional Healthcare Practice: Research Project 6 credits (Graded) 3500-word Research Report
Expenses
Funding Options:
To be eligible for funding, you will need to live in England. Anyone in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland will need to self-fund the course.
Level 3 Entitlement fee remission: If you are aged 19-23 and do not hold a prior full Level 3 qualification, you may be eligible to study the course for free. This would also depend on your location within the UK, but we would check this for you during your application process.
19+ Advanced Learner Loan: If you are aged over 23, or you are 19-23 with a full Level 3 qualification, you can fund the course with the Advanced Learner Loan supplied by Student Finance England. This loan will be wiped from your records if you progress to university and complete your studies! If you do not progress to university or a higher education course, you will not need to start paying back the loan until you earn over £25,725.00.
Nursing Bursary for those going on to degree-level courses: Nursing students starting university will benefit from guaranteed, additional support of at least £5,000 a year to help with living costs. The funding will be given to all new and continuing degree-level nursing, midwifery and many allied health students from September 2020. Read more about how it is expected to benefit more than 35,000 students every year.
Remember: If you go on to study at university and complete a degree, the loan for your Access course is written off by the government.
Activate Learning
Activate Learning is a forward-thinking education group that aims for far-reaching, progressive change and impact through learning. We work with learners as individuals, helping them make the choice of course and career pathway that’s right for them. Our mission is to provide work-ready talent for business, and...