Access to Higher Education Diploma (Health and Social Care)
A one year route to university for adults, covering the health and social care subject knowledge that degree courses expect.
About this course
An Access to Higher Education Diploma is a full level 3 qualification designed specifically for adults returning to study who want to go on to university. It is regulated by the Quality Assurance Agency and recognised by universities across the UK.
This diploma is the established route for adults into nursing, midwifery, paramedic science and the allied health professions. It covers the human biology, health and social science that these degrees build on.
Every Access to HE Diploma is 60 credits. Forty five of those are graded level 3 credits covering the academic subject content, and 15 are ungraded credits at level 2 or level 3 covering study skills. You need all 60 to be awarded the diploma.
Who this is for
Access to HE is for adults aged 19 and over who do not already have the qualifications needed for a degree. There is no requirement to hold prior qualifications, though we may ask about your level 2 English and maths, and universities usually expect these for entry onto a degree. We will talk this through with you before you enrol. Gateway Qualifications notes that learners will probably need a pass in maths and English at Functional Skills level 2 or GCSE in order to progress onto a degree.
How the diploma is structured
The diploma is made up of graded subject units and ungraded study skills units.
45 graded level 3 credits
The academic subject content of the diploma, graded pass, merit or distinction.
15 ungraded credits
Study skills at level 2 or level 3, including academic writing, research and referencing. Recorded as achieved or not achieved.
Where this can lead
Degrees this leads to
Destinations listed by Gateway Qualifications for this diploma. Entry requirements vary between universities, so always check with the university you are applying to.
How you are assessed
Assessment is continuous and coursework based, through assignments, essays, presentations and reports set and marked here and quality assured by Gateway Qualifications. There is no final exam for the diploma as a whole. Individual graded units are awarded a pass, merit or distinction. There is no overall grade for the diploma. For UCAS tariff purposes, 45 credits at distinction is worth 144 points, the same as three A grades at A level. Forty five at merit is worth 96 points, and 45 at pass is worth 48 points.
Support while you study
Every learner gets an individual learning plan, an initial assessment of English and maths, and a named tutor. You will have a college email address and access to Microsoft Teams. See our learning support and career support pages for what else is available.
Ready to get started?
Talk to us about whether this course is right for you, what funding you might be eligible for, and when the next start date is.
01287 280800 | adultlearning@atomix.ac.uk