Access to Higher Education (Health Professionals) Diploma

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Study Mode: Full time Course Level: 3

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If you want to pursue a higher education qualification in nursing, mental health nursing, midwifery, children's nursing, physiotherapy, paramedical science, as an operating department practitioner or in another health-related subject but lack the necessary qualifications our Access to Higher Education Diploma (Health Professionals) will give you the skills you need to go on to your dream career.

An Access to Higher Education qualification is widely recognised by universities and bridges the gap between existing education and what is needed to study at degree level.

The Access to Higher Education Diploma (Health Professionals) is an intensive and challenging one-year course that will give you an overview of health services in the 21st century, help you to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence needed for university.

To succeed on this course you will need to be committed and focused and have a zest for learning, as well as good time management skills, particularly if you work and have family responsibilities.

Before you embark on the diploma it is important that you know what you want to study at university, have thoroughly researched your chosen course and attended university open days.

If you want to pursue a career in a health-realted area our Access to Higher Education Diploma (Health Professionals) course will set you on the road to a great career in the health service.

To access this course you are required to:

Have English at Level 2 (eg GCSE grade 4/C or above / equivalent Functional Skills qualification depending on individual university requirements)
Have maths at Level 2 (eg GCSE grade 4/C or above / equivalent Functional Skills qualification depending on individual university requirements)*
Show commitment to the course and be motivated and determined to be successful on this intensive programme of study.

*Applicants without this level of qualification will be required to complete a diagnostic assessment to determine their level of maths skills and knowledge and, if necessary, study for the Level 2 qualification alongside the Access course.

Please note:

Students who are contemplating studying for a degree in one of the healthcare professions will need to ensure that they have sufficient paid on unpaid work experience to satisfy university entry requirements
When applying to university a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check will be necessary

The Health pathway will focus on:

Health studies

Roles & responsibilities of healthcare professionals
History of the NHS
Health promotion
Health inequalities
Ethical issues in contemporary healthcare

Psychology

Introduction to psychology
Abnormal psychology
Developmental psychology
Social psychology

Human biology

Cell biology
Human nutrition
Human reproduction & growth
Respiration & circulation

Skills for learning

Progression to higher education (HE)
Preparing for a HE interview
Applied research skills
Seminar

By studying this course you will:

Develop your understanding of the underpinning skills, knowledge and academic conventions needed for Higher Education
Learn how to research, design, plan and write educational assignments as well as developing your critical and evaluative thinking skills
Develop an appreciation for the promotion of active reading to identify relevant information and take part in discussions and debates based on informed reading
Develop your analytical skills to give you the confidence to participate in verbal and written educational debate
Develop your practical skills and appreciate the need for attention to detail

This is an assessment-based course and will include a combination of essays, reports, presentations, group discussions and timed examinations

The skills you will learn on this course will enable you to:

Move on to a higher education course in a health-related subject (you are advised to check that the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Health Professionals) is accepted as entry to your chosen university course)
Pursue a career in the health service such as in nursing, midwifery or the ambulance service

We have excellent feedback from past students on our Access to Higher Education courses and many have gone on to become nurses, midwives, psychologists and radiologists, as well as social workers, probation officers and teachers.