Access to HE Diploma (Nursing)

Course Overview

The Access to Nursing course is designed to give you the skills, knowledge, and confidence to be able to start your journey to a rewarding career in nursing upon graduation.

Why You Should Study This Course

• Quickest route to Higher Education.
• No end-of-year exams.
• Mapped to match with modules taught on Nursing degree programmes.
• Open learning environment.
• Student Finance England will ‘write off’ any outstanding Advanced Learner Loan balances you owe for an Access to HE course once you complete an eligible higher education course (subject to SFE requirements).

Accreditation and Professional Recognition

This course is Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) regulated.

What You'll Study

You will study basic human anatomy and biology which aims to help you to gain an understanding of how the human body works, both when healthy and during illness. The course has been designed with support from tutors on Coventry University’s nursing courses, with the focus on providing you with the opportunity to gain the foundation knowledge required to successfully study an undergraduate nursing degree.

You will also examine the factors that impact on health, including economic, political, and technological factors, and how the focus of healthcare provision has changed from treatment to also incorporating prevention of ill health.

You will explore the challenges faced by disadvantaged groups in accessing healthcare, the importance of mental as well as physical health and ensuring equality in healthcare provision.

Throughout the course you should develop the ability to study independently, ask probing questions and analyse information from different sources and perspectives. You will explore how to search for information, assess the quality and legitimacy of information from various sources and develop your ability to work individually and collectively to produce academic work.

Modules

• Human Tissues and Systems – 3 credits
• Mental Health and Illness – 3 credits
• The Role of the Health or Social Care Professional – 3 credits
• Transport and Respiration – 6 credits
• Disease and Immunity – 6 credits
• Extended Project – 6 credits
• Genes and Inheritance – 3 credits
• Cells – 3 credits
• Nutrition, Digestion and Excretion – 6 credits
• Prejudice and Discrimination – 3 credits
• Social Influence, Conformity and Obedience to Authority – 3 credits
• Study Skills – 15 credits

How You'll Learn

This course has been specifically designed to enable you, upon successful completion, to acquire the foundation skills and knowledge required for your potential future career options in nursing and provide you with the potential to apply for a nursing undergraduate degree-level course at Coventry University.

The course has been developed with the support of lecturers on the nursing degree programmes at Coventry University who have an excellent understanding of the competencies required to begin a nursing degree.

Teaching Contact Hours

The course is taught Monday to Thursday from 9am – 2pm (times and days are subject to change). Teaching consists of a combination of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, and online classes and tutorials.

Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module. Assessment methods may include:

• Phase tests
• Essays
• Group work
• Presentations
• Projects
• Coursework

Entry Requirements

Typical offer for 2024/25 entry.

• UK
• Level 2 qualifications in Maths and English are preferable but not mandatory for commencing the Access course. Level 2 qualifications in Maths and English can be acquired alongside the Access course as they are a pre-requisite to progress onto universities.
• GCSE maths, English and one science at grade 4 / C or Functional Skills Level 2, or other equivalent Level 2 awards.

Fees and Funding

Student | Full-time | Part-time
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UK | £3,384 | Not available

You may qualify for an Advanced Learner Loan. Visit the Advanced Learner Loan website for full information and to check your eligibility. If you are eligible and awarded an Advanced Learner Loan, and successfully complete an eligible Higher Education course, the outstanding balance from your Access course could be written off.

Facilities

All our facilities are located at Mile Lane. Our building has been designed to enable collaboration, creativity and innovation to flourish, and includes (subject to availability):

• Indoor and outdoor social spaces, including a café.
• A library that includes loan laptops, over 115,000 eBooks and a silent study area.
• Open access IT suites and 83-inch teaching screens.
• Engineering lab, science lab and a moot courtroom.
• Student support and careers advice teams.

Careers and Opportunities

On successful completion of this course, you will have knowledge of a range of health and social science-related topics that could help you start a degree programme. You will have also gained a range of study skills that will be useful throughout your studies and future career, including research, referencing and the correct style of academic writing.

On successful completion you will be guaranteed an interview for the following courses:

• Adult Nursing BSc (Hons) (at Coventry University or CU Scarborough)
• Children and Young People’s Nursing BSc (Hons) (at Coventry University)
• Learning Disabilities Nursing BSc (Hons) (at Coventry University or CU Scarborough)
• Mental Health Nursing BSc (Hons) (at Coventry University or CU Scarborough)
• Nursing Associate Foundation Degree (at Coventry University or CU Scarborough)

Successful completion of this course will also guarantee you a place on any CU Coventry degree programme (subject to meeting progression requirements). The most suited progression is on the following degree programmes:

• Applied Biosciences BSc (Hons)
• Early Childhood Development and Learning BA (Hons)
• Health and Wellbeing Practice BA (Hons)
• Public Health and Community Studies BA (Hons)

Where Our Graduates Work

Our graduates are employed in acute care organisations, community care settings and within general practice and social care.

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Overview:

• Founded in 1843 as the Coventry School of Design
• Received university status in 1992
• Over 30,000 students from over 150 countries
• Campuses in Coventry, London, and Scarborough
• Known for its focus on practical, industry-focused education

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Student Life:

• Over 150 student clubs and societies
• Sports teams in various disciplines
• Student support services include counseling, mental health support, and disability support
• Campus facilities include a gym, swimming pool, and student union

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Academics:

• Offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in a wide range of subjects
• Faculty with industry experience and research expertise
• Teaching methodologies include lectures, seminars, workshops, and project-based learning
• Academic support services include writing centers, math labs, and peer mentoring
• Unique academic programs include:
  • Centre for Applied Science and Technology
  • Centre for Business in Society
  • Centre for Intelligent Systems

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Top Reasons to Study Here:

• Ranked among the top 150 universities in the UK (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023)
• Excellent industry connections and partnerships
• Specialized facilities such as the National Transport Design Centre and the Centre for Advanced Manufacturing
• Notable alumni include:
  • Sir Frank Whittle, inventor of the jet engine
  • Sir David Attenborough, naturalist and broadcaster
  • Sir Patrick Stewart, actor

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Services:

• Counseling and mental health support
• Health center
• Accommodation services
• Library with over 1 million books and resources
• Technology support
• Career development services