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Nursing and Midwifery - Access to Higher Education (HE) Diploma

Summary

This course is ideal if you wish to have a career in nursing, midwifery, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, paramedic practitioner, operating theatre practitioner and other health related professions. The Access to Higher Education (HE) Diploma is a qualification which will prepare you for study at degree level.

If you would like to go to university but left school without the qualifications you need, then an Access to HE course could be for you. The course is run over 1 academic year and is designed for learners aged 19 years and above. Advanced Learner Loans are available to help you fund your course.

Next course dates

Start date Location Duration
01 Sep 2025
University Centre
1 Year

Where can this subject lead?

Career progression

Successful students can move to Higher Education study, either at Blackpool and the Fylde College or other institutions. This course is ideal if you would like to work in health professions such as midwifery, nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, paramedic practitioner, operating theatre practitioner and other health related professions.

Key information

Entry Requirements

Direct Entry:

  • 3 GCSEs Grade 4 (C) or above including maths or English Grade 4 (C) or above. Science GCSE at Grade 4 (C) is also required if studying a science related subject.
  • Relevant Level 2 or 3 qualification plus maths or English Grade 4 (C) or above/ level 2 Functional Skills maths and English.


Not achieved Maths or English GCSE at Grade 4 (C) or above:

  •  You will need to complete the one-year Level 2 (GCSE) maths or English alongside your Access to HE qualification.


If you do not meet the entry requirements:

  • Don’t worry – you can apply for our Pre Access course which will prepare you for the Access to Higher Education course. You can also work towards achieving your Level 2 (GCSE) Maths and/or English at the same time.

Qualification obtained

Access to HE Diploma (Nursing and Midwifery)

Terms and conditions

Read our full terms and conditions for more information.

What will I learn?

Industry placement, field trips and guest speakers

There is no work placement as part of this course; however you may wish to contact your chosen university and check if work experience or voluntary work in the health progression is a requirement for their degree programme.

This would be done in your own time and no time allowance would be given as part of this course.

Units include:

Human Physiology

(30 credits total)

  • Introduction to Cell Biology - Ungraded – 3 credits
  • Planning a Practical Investigation - Graded – 3 credits
  • Carrying out a Practical Investigation - Graded – 3 credits
  • Aspects of Human Physiology - Graded – 6 credits
  • Infectious Disease, Drug and Biological Defences - Graded – 6 Credits
  • Macromolecules and Key Biological Principles - Graded – 6 Credits
  • Anatomy and Physiology of the Human Skeleton and Muscles - Graded – 3 Credits

Psychology 

(21 credits total)

  • Introduction to Psychology Ungraded – 3 credits
  • Treating Disorders - Graded - 3 credits
  • Memory - Graded - 3 credits
  • Psychological Investigation - Graded - 6 credits
  • Psychological Perspectives - Graded - 6 credits

Study Skills

(9 credits total)

  • Study Techniques (Level 2) - Ungraded – 3 credits
  • Preparing to Progress - Ungraded – 3 credits
  • Academic Research Skills - Ungraded – 3 credits

Industry Placement and Field Trips

There is no work placement as part of this course; however you may wish to contact your chosen university and check if work experience or voluntary work in the health progression is a requirement for their degree programme.

This would be done in your own time and no time allowance would be given as part of this course.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Classroom time is 340 hours over the year which equates to 10 hours a week delivered over 2 days. We would expect private study time (research/background reading/creation of drafts and final reports) to take an extra 10 hours a week.

Expert Tutors

All staff involved in the delivery of adult education courses within the College are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver. The approval process ensures that staff delivering a given programme are appropriately qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and professional practice.

How will I learn?

Classroom time is 340 hours over the year which equates to 10 hours a week delivered over 2 days. We would expect private study time (research/background reading/creation of drafts and final reports) to take an extra 10 hours a week.

Expert tutors

All staff involved in the delivery of adult education courses within the College are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver.

The approval process ensures that staff delivering a given programme are appropriately qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and professional practice.

How will I be assessed?

How will I be assessed?

Units include:

Human Physiology (30 credits total):

  • Introduction to Cell Biology - Ungraded – 3 credits
  • Planning a Practical Investigation - Graded – 3 credits
  • Carrying out a Practical Investigation - Graded – 3 credits
  • Aspects of Human Physiology - Graded – 6 credits
  • Infectious Disease, Drug and Biological Defences - Graded – 6 Credits
  • Macromolecules and Key Biological Principles - Graded – 6 Credits
  • Anatomy and Physiology of the Human Skeleton and Muscles - Graded – 3 Credits

Psychology (21 credits total):

  • Introduction to Psychology Ungraded – 3 credits
  • Treating Disorders - Graded - 3 credits
  • Memory - Graded - 3 credits
  • Psychological Investigation - Graded - 6 credits
  • Psychological Perspectives - Graded - 6 credits

Study Skills (9 credits total):

  • Study Techniques (Level 2) - Ungraded – 3 credits
  • Preparing to Progress - Ungraded – 3 credits
  • Academic Research Skills - Ungraded – 3 credits


This is a 60 credit diploma with two external exams and marked assignments throughout the course at either a pass, merit or distinction.