Start Date
- September 2025, Full Time, Day
Summary
The Access to Higher Education Diploma in Science for Health Practitioners, as validated by CAVA, is a qualification which prepares students aged 19 years and over, without appropriate qualifications, for study at degree level. The Access programme will qualify you to study a wide range of nursing and other health-based degrees, including physiotherapy, midwifery, mental health nursing, occupational therapy and paramedic science, as well as degrees in the natural sciences.
The programme is modular and will be delivered over 2.5 days a week. It covers relevant aspects of science, with an emphasis on practical work. There are four units of biology, The organism and its Environment, Cell Growth and Inheritance, Living Organisms and Living Cells.
There are two units of chemistry; which cover basic chemical concepts, biochemistry and the relevance of chemistry to human health in the modern world. These chemistry units include an Introduction to Chemistry and Quantities and Patterns. This is taught from a strongly practical angle and complements the biology units.
Further units in this course will cover General Science, Data Handling and Statistics, Human Physiology, Dissertation, Introductory Maths for Science, Study Skill and an Introduction to Research Methods. All are designed to support the science units of the course. In Health studies, you will investigate the nature of health and disease and relate to topical health issues.
Entry Requirements
Achieved, or working to achieve, GCSE English Language and maths at grade 4 or above.
Assessment
You will be supported throughout the course by a personal tutor who will also give you guidance in applying for Higher Education courses. All students study a core of communications, research and study skills. You will be awarded credits on completion of each units with a Pass, Merit or Distinction grade. All credits are awarded are awarded at level 3 which broadly equates to A-level study. Assessment is continuous over the whole year and is based on a number of set pieces of work such as essays, projects, presentations and examinations.
Progression
The Access to Higher Education Diploma Science for Health Practitioners is widely recognised by UK universities. If you are planning to study a degree course at a specific university, it would be useful to contact them to check that the Access Course you have chosen is in an appropriate subject area and is recognised by the university or college. Please be aware that university entry criteria can change at any time.
In 2018 student progressed to the following universities: UEA, University of Suffolk, Anglia Ruskin University, Lincoln, Birmingham, Bradford and Sheffield Hallam.
Career Progression
After completion many students progress into the following careers; Nursing, Mental Health, Speech and Language Therapy, Bio-Medical Science, Midwifery, Paramedic Training and Operating Department Practice (ODP).
Fees
Please contact the Advice Shop for information on fees and financial support which may be available. We recommend you also check our Finance pages for further information including student travel offers.
