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Key details

Course areas
Access to Higher Education and EmploymentScience
Student type
Courses for 19+ students
Course type
Full-time Further Education course
Course level
Level 3
Start date

Tuesday 1st September 2026

Location
City Hub 111 Canal Street, Nottingham, NG1 7HB
Course code
Parent course code:C055099 Child course code: Q055100
Apply now

Course introduction

Are you aged 19+ and have an interest in a career in Medicine or Healthcare? Our CAVA-Accredited Access to Medicine course is tailored for students pursuing Medicine or other Healthcare Degrees.

This full-time programme offers the knowledge and skills you need to progress into Medical School and other health-focused degree programmes.

Why choose us?

  • Pathway to Medicine and Healthcare Professions: Ideal for students targeting medicine as well as degrees in fields such as:
    • Biomedical Science
    • Pharmacology
    • Pharmaceutical Science
    • Radiography
    • Physiotherapy
    • Paramedical Science
    • Nutrition and Dietetics
    • Dentistry
  • Comprehensive Curriculum: Core subjects include biology, chemistry, human anatomy, and healthcare practices.
  • UCAT Test Support: You’ll need to arrange and complete the UCAT test during the course, prior to the course starting, and we provide guidance and support. You can register for the UCAT test by going to the following website: https://www.ucat.ac.uk/
  • Full-Time Study: Intensive, full-time programme to thoroughly prepare you for university-level healthcare studies.

What you’ll gain:

  • A CAVA accredited Access to Higher Education Diploma, equivalent to A-Levels and recognised by leading universities.
  • A strong foundation in medical and health sciences, preparing you for a range of healthcare degrees
  • The skills and confidence to excel in higher education

The Introduction to Access course will focus on developing study skills such as academic writing, researching, paraphrasing and referencing to help you to progress onto the Access course. There will be a focus on developing IT skills necessary to access and use the college systems and to complete assignments. You will be introduced to the subjects that you will study on the Access course, so that you can make an informed decision at the end of the four weeks on which Access course is the correct course for your future plans. Progression onto the Access course is subject to successful completion of the four-week introductory course.

Course information

1 year

CAVA Access to HE Diploma: Medicine

You must:

  • Be aged 19+
  • Have both GCSE Maths, English Language and Science  at Grade 6 or above (these are essential to meet typical entry standards for UK health degrees)
  • Have commitment and dedication. You should be prepared for the demands of full-time study and a career in healthcare
  • Relevant work experience will be considered as a substitute for a relevant Level 2 vocational qualification (but not English or Maths).
  • You will not be allowed to study GCSE Maths or English alongside this course.
  • If English is not your first language and don’t hold GCSE qualifications, international qualifications will be accepted (with the exception of GCSE English) as substitutes, subject to a NARIC translation.
  • We will accept an IELTs score of 7.5 or higher in place of GCSE English grade 4. To obtain IELTs you can book yourself using this link: Https://ielts.org/take-a-test/booking-your-test

You’ll produce a portfolio of evidence of your knowledge and skills as well as completing exams.

Choose to follow with degree-level study or a career in healthcare.

You can apply for an Advanced Learner Loan to help with the costs of your Access to HE course. Loan eligibility does not depend on your income and there are no credit checks.

If you progress on to degree level study and complete a full degree, Student Finance England will ‘write off’ any outstanding Advanced Learner Loan balances you owe. This means you do not have to repay it.

You may be able to study this course for free if you are aged 19-23 and planning to study towards your first full Level 2 or first full Level 3.

If you are an EU/EEA or Swiss National, please visit our EU Settled Status scheme page for more information.

Careers related to this course

Select career:

Generalist Medical Practitioners

Potential Earnings

£98,702.02

Average Earnings

£43,681.26

Source: Office for National Statistics' Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE).

Pathways

Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing

People in these occupations diagnose, assess, and treat health problems, operate medical technology, and care for patients.

Skills

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Learning Strategies

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
View more about this career

Economic data for careers is provided by Lightcast and also available through our Career Coach app. Job postings, employment and earnings information is represented at the regional level for the East Midlands.

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