Access to Higher Education Diploma – Health Professions

This programme aims to provide a firm foundation for study at degree level. Study skills and educational guidance form essential parts of the course.

Tutorial sessions support learners and offer guidance with the UCAS process and study skills.

This course takes place in the Maths and Science Centre and the Tower Building on Hele Road.

The Diploma is taught by subject specialist teaching staff in a supportive environment to develop the academic skills necessary to progress onto higher education. You will have homework and assignment work set each week with strict deadlines.

Although you only need to attend College part time, you’re expected to dedicate up to 20 hours per week to self-study, making it equivalent to a full time commitment.

Additional support is available for students for particular difficulties/needs.

There is also:

• A Learning Support Team
• Wellbeing Team
• Future Steps Team
• Adult Advice Team
• Designated study space specifically for our HE and Access to HE students

Funding
Funding and Advanced Learner Loans are available for this course. Click here to view Funding Options A and C.
A bursary may also be available. For further information on your funding options, please phone 01392 400170 or email adultadvice@exe-coll.ac.uk for advice. If you are hoping to start your Access to Health Professional course with a view to progress on to nursing, the government may offer a bursary to support you with your studies. Visit www.gov.uk/grant-bursary-adult-learners for the latest information.

The programme consists of compulsory core units and subject options.

The Access to Higher Education Health Professions course currently covers the following units:

Study Skills

• Academic Study Techniques
• Numeracy in a Health Context
• Professional Behaviours: Nursing and Health Professions
• Word Processing

Human Biology

• Human Cell Biology
• Homeostasis and the Endocrine System
• Nutrition and Digestion
• Respiration and Circulation
• The Human Muscular and Skeletal System
• The Nervous System
• The Urinary System

Health Studies

• A Medical Condition
• Psychology
• Behaviourism
• Psychopathology
• Treatments and Therapies
• Understanding Stress
• Memory Processes

Please note these are subject to change.

Please note these are subject to change due to the awarding body currently reviewing Access to HE specifications.

• GCSE Maths Grade 4/C or above
• GCSE English Grade 4/C or above or IELTS score of 6.5 overall and no less than 6.5 in any other section for all International and non-speaking English students. The test should be no older than 2 years prior to the start of the programme
• GCSE in any Science Grade 4/C or above

You can also access English for Speakers of other Languages (ESOL) or adult GCSE English courses at the College.

We also offer a ‘Preparation for Access to Higher Education- Science’ course – click here for further details.

This Access Diploma takes place at the Hele Road site (Tower Building) and Maths and Science Centre on Queen Street.

Coffee shops and study areas in the Digital and Data Centre (IOT) and the Tower building on the Hele Road site.

Learning Resource Centres (LRCs) across our sites.

You will have access to new fully equipped laboratories  in the Maths and Science Centre.

As well as the course fees, applicants need to factor in food, travel, books, stationery and printing costs. Applications for the Bursary Fund are advisable for applicants who know that they may struggle financially.

Please be aware that there are no car parking facilities at Exeter College city centre sites, but public car parks are available across the city.