Level 3 Diploma Access to HE - Nursing & Midwifery

This level 3 diploma in nursing and midwifery Access to HE programme has been designed to prepare adults for health-related degrees or other advanced courses at university or college. All of our Access to Higher Education courses have been approved by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA). If you have not studied for some time, this course will develop your confidence and academic skills in preparation for further study.

If you have always considered a career in healthcare and would love to become a nurse or midwife, this health course is ideal for you. This qualification will allow you to develop the skills and knowledge required to progress on to a health-related degree.

You will study a variety of modules, such as:

• Human physiology
• Social issues in healthcare
• Health communication
• The role of the midwife
• Academic writing and study skills (which will take you through your university application and interview, showing you how to research and how to give a presentation).

You will be assessed during the course as each unit is completed. You will be assessed through a variety of methods such as essays, presentations, research projects, and exams.

The access to nursing and midwifery course is delivered on a blended model, with most sessions being face to face and a small part delivered online.

Students who successfully complete this qualification generally go on to university to study degrees in nursing or midwifery. The course covers modules applicable to health but also contains a module specific to those wishing to study midwifery.

If you apply to study nursing or midwifery at university, you may also be eligible to apply for the NHS bursary of up to £5000.

Universities expect adults who apply for some vocational degrees to have previous relevant paid or voluntary experience. Life and work experience is valuable, and applicants need to have spent some time out of school and have a high level of maturity.

If you do not already have work experience, you are strongly encouraged to organise relevant experience before you begin the course. For example, if you are aiming for a midwifery degree, voluntary experience working within healthcare would be an advantage (although not mandatory). When you apply to university, you will be able to show them the examples of your skills and qualities that match up to their course. If you require advice about which type of experience would help your university application, ask to speak to our Careers Advisor based in Learner Services.

We have a team of staff dedicated to providing learning support if required, as well as a Welfare Team that is on hand to offer guidance, support and help when needed. Additionally, eligible students can access a wide range of finance and funding support to help them during their time at college.

Click here for learning support: https://wvr.ac.uk/college-life/learning-support

Click here for finance support: https://wvr.ac.uk/college-life/financial-support

During your course your learning will be enhanced by dedicated tutors who have a wide range of industry knowledge and experience. The college also houses a dedicated Health & Social Care Academy, which contains state-of-the-art facilities including a mock hospital ward. These outstanding facilities will ensure you gain valuable skills in a realistic setting, preparing you for employment in the sector. Throughout your course you will also benefit from our fantastic industry connections, which will enable you to gain valuable industry insight and hear from professionals currently working in the field. We have excellent progression rates on to higher education, with many students securing a place at their first-choice university.

Direct Entry Requirement

• GCSE Grade 4 (C) or above in Maths or English.
• Please note that if you have either GCSE Maths or English, and not both at entry, you will be required to complete the outstanding Maths or English course alongside your Access to HE qualification.

Although not a requirement for this course, GCSE English Language, Science and Maths at grade A*-C/9-4 may be a requirement for progression to some careers and Higher Education Programmes.

If you do not meet the entry requirements

• Don’t worry - you can apply for our Level 2 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.

19+ students studying on a level 3 qualification may be eligible to apply for an Advanced Learner Loan. For finance support and enquiries please visit https://www.wvr.ac.uk/higher-education/higher-education-help-finances/

Apart from the course and registration fees, you will need the usual student stationery such as pens, paper, and files. The purchase of textbooks is not compulsory - there is a wide selection of books available in our dedicated Learning Resource Centre. Should you wish to purchase textbooks, your subject tutors will recommend suitable books.