Access to HE Diploma (Health and Human Sciences) (Nursing, Midwifery and Health) Level 3 OCNLR

When & Where

15 September 2025 - 25 June 2026 ( 402 hours, 33 weeks )
Afternoon, Evening, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
View course timetable
Waterloo Centre

Quick Facts

Availability Yes
Tutor Multiple
Course Code W25SCIE01A
Suitable For 19 year olds and up are permitted on this course

What you will learn

An Access to HE Diploma in Health and Human Sciences could be your first step towards a degree course or career in Biochemistry, Biomedical sciences or nursing, midwifery & allied health professions, such as radiography, physiotherapy, dietetics, nutrition, or occupational therapy. This course provides a thorough grounding in the knowledge and skills you will need to prepare for a health-related degree. All students take modules in study skills, biology and psychology, then select one of the following options: nursing studies, midwifery studies, biochemistry (for dietetics or physiotherapy). Applicants for degree courses in nursing, midwifery or health degree courses are expected to have significant work experience (either paid or voluntary) within a health or care environment.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

Study skills: note taking, finding and reading information, report writing, speaking and listening, essay writing (15 credits)
Biology: human biology, transport and respiration, the endocrine system, the nervous system (15 credits)
Psychology: biological psychology, health psychology, psychological abnormality, cross cultural psychology, developmental psychology (15 credits)
Nursing/midwifery studies (option): the role of the health or social care professional, ethical dilemmas, the nhs, health inequalitites, health education and promotion (15 credits)
Biochemistry (option): matter: particles and formulae, molecular structure, cells, water and ph, biological chemistry, carbohydrates and lipids, biochemistry of nucleic acids (15 credits)

On successful completion of the course, you will achieve the following qualification: Access to HE Diploma (Health and Human Sciences) [OCNLR]

Class format and activities

This is a flexible Access programme offering a choice of pathways to fit different progression aims, such as Nursing, Midwifery and allied health professions. Classes run from Monday – Thursday) timetabling is subject to your chosen pathway• To achieve the Access to HE Diploma students must achieve 60 credits: 45 @ L3 (graded) and 15 @ L3 (ungraded study skills) All students attend one session per week for Tutorial, Study Skills, Biology and Psychology and choose one session from either the biochemistry or nursing pathway. Achievement on your course will be measured by completion of assignments. Your progress towards achieving the learning outcomes will be reviewed throughout the course. At the start of the course you will have an opportunity to discuss these with your tutor and set your own personal targets, linked to the learning outcomes and future goals i.e.: progression to another course.

Entry requirements

• You must be aged 19 or over. • You should have GCSEs in Maths and English (grades A – C or grades 4 - 9) or a recognised equivalent. You will need these two qualifications in addition to the Access to HE Diploma to progress to university. We do not expect you to have any formal qualifications in Science, although some prior knowledge of biology would be an advantage. Morley College offer a range of short courses in all aspects of Science in our 'Key Concepts in Science' series. These courses are excellent preparation for undertaking a future Access to HE course.

What you need to know before you enrol

Your Access course will be very enjoyable, but also requires real dedication and commitment if you are going to succeed. Excellent attendance and punctuality is required from all students. This course also requires study/completion of activities outside of class time. The course runs from the beginning of September to the beginning of July. We endeavour to prepare students for the demands of a University degree course in just nine short months. It is therefore essential that you think about how you are going to balance work, family and social life with your studies. Assessment of the Access to HE diploma is by coursework completed throughout the year. You will be expected to do regular reading and written work in addition to your attendance in classes. Working as a health professional requires a range of skills, experience and personal qualities in addition to the Access to HE Diploma. Applicants for degrees in the health professions are required to attend a group or individual interview. Applicants are expected to show a high degree of verbal and written communication skills. Work experience in a relevant health or care setting is normally an essential entry requirement (either through paid employment or voluntary work).

What you need

Access to paper, pens, pencil, ruler, graph paper and a scientific calculator is required. You will also require access to a laptop/tablet/computer and reliable WiFi for completing your assignments.

What you can do next

This programme prepares students for degree courses in: Biochemistry• Nursing (Adult / Children’s / Learning Disabilities / Mental Health ) • Midwifery • Other health related subjects (eg Occupational therapy, Physiotherapy, Nutrition, Health Promotion, Paramedic Science. Other higher education courses such as HND Health and Social Care.