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Key details

Course areas
Access to Higher Education and EmploymentHealth and Social CareScience
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:C000500 Child course code: Q002759
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Course introduction

If you are aged 19+ and want to pursue a career in adult, child or mental health nursing, midwifery or other health professions, this course will put you on the right track.

You’ll learn a combination of human biology, sociology, and specific career-related skills and knowledge. More than 50% of the course will focus on human biology, including:

  • Biological communication systems
  • Human cardiac and respiratory systems
  • Infectious and inherited diseases
  • Nutrition and digestion
  • Reproduction
  • Skeleton and muscle and cell biology

Other units focus on sociology and inequalities of health, psychopathology and treatment and therapies.

You can expect to complete a unit of study skills designed to support your skills in research techniques, report writing, presentation skills and academic English. This will help you develop the skills needed to approach and complete the range of assessments on the course. A personal tutor will guide you through your studies and support you in your university application.

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: Health Professions

You must be aged 19 or over to apply for this course.

As the majority of our Access students are returning to learning as adults, we consider a range of experience when accepting students onto an Access programme. All students will be assessed to see what level they are learning at, particularly the level of English and maths skills, as these will be key to success whilst on a programme at Nottingham College. Your experience and level of study will be assessed at interview and this will determine your offer of a place at College.

5 GCSEs at grades 9–4 (A*–C) including English Language and Maths (equivalents may be considered for maths). Relevant work experience will be considered as a substitute for a relevant Level 2 vocational qualification, plus GCSE English Language and Maths.

You will be able to resit GCSE maths only on this course but you must have a GCSE English Language at Grade 4 and above. Please note: You do not need to apply for the GCSE Maths separately as this will be offered as part of the course.

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

Choose to follow with degree-level study and careers in adult, child or mental health nursing, midwifery or other health professions including physiotherapy.

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:

Midwifery Nurses

Potential Earnings

£51,458.12

Average Earnings

£34,177.99

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

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.

Science

Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Critical Thinking

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