Access to Higher Education
- Healthcare Professions

Students must be aged 19 or older on 31 August to study Access to Higher Education courses. This course is best suited to those who are returning to education and wish to progress onto a degree in Nursing, Midwifery or other health care related degree. Applicants must demonstrate a sound general education. GCSE grades are not necessary but applicants must successfully complete the entry tests in Literacy and Numeracy and demonstrate the ability to cope with the demands of the course.

Areas of study include:

• Reading and writing - learning to write essays and taking part in discussions and presentations about contemporary issues
• Application of number - tackling percentages, fractions and ratios, as well as using formulae to prepare for drug and budgetary calculations
• Research into a contemporary issue related to Health and Social Care, including analysis of questionnaires and data
• Preparation for Higher Education including researching HE courses, applying through UCAS, writing the personal statement, preparing for interview and visiting universities
• Media Perspectives in Health and Social Care, looking at bias, politicised reporting and objectivity
• Health and Welfare - this includes the history of the NHS, social policy and changes in health and social care legislation and Government
• Mental health and illness, including atypical development and abnormal behaviours
• Human biology - this includes research into the human skeleton and muscles, cells and tissues,the respiratory and cardiac system, the endocrine system, homeostasis, nutrition and digestion

Upon successful completion of this course you can progress onto Level 4 study at college or university.