Summary

The nursing and midwifery pathway on the Access to Health and Social Care course offers you the opportunity to study and gain a critical understanding of a wide range of subjects that are important if you intend to work in a health care-related profession. This course is for people who want to gain a qualification recognised nationally as being appropriate for those entering higher education training in nursing, midwifery, occupational therapy or paramedic science, or who want to take a degree in social sciences or health-related subjects. This is a one-year course contained within 3–4 days per week. This course is for mature students returning to education, or those wishing to pursue a different career route. A range of Academic Subject Content units are delivered from the following categories: biology, psychology and sociology. A range of Academic Preparation Skills units are also offered.

How will I know how I am doing?

The course consists of 60 credits: 45 Academic Subject Content (ASC) credits graded at pass, merit or distinction, and 15 Academic Preparation Skills (APS) credits. You will be set assignments to gain these credits throughout the academic year. These will involve essay writing, tests/exams, some practical experiments with written reports and presentations.

What do I need to join?

Applicants should already have secured a grade C/4 or above in both GCSE Maths and English to gain entry to the Access course. If applicants are currently studying GCSEs, they will need to have secured these (at a 4 grade minimum) by the course start date. Any applicants that believe they have GCSE equivalency should check with their university of choice if they meet their degree course entry requirements before making an application for Access. An important part of the application for nursing and midwifery-related degrees is based on experience. We therefore require all applicants who wish to pursue the nursing and midwifery pathway on the Access course to have at least three months' relevant work or voluntary experience. In order to secure either paid or voluntary work experience within the NHS and related fields, we suggest you contact your local NHS providers. In addition, the 1Big Database website lists all agencies/charities within your local area (www.1bigdatabase.org.uk).

What can I do next?

The Access to Nursing & Midwifery pathway offers you the opportunity to progress onto a degree course in a range of health-related areas and is offered nationally. The main local provider is the University of the West of England. For more information about the university degrees and courses offered, please go to www.ucas.co.uk and click on the course search area, where all the courses available in the UK are listed, along with all the information required.

Additional Information

Fees information is available by contacting the Money Management Team on [email protected] Depending on your age and previous studies, you may be entitled to a reduction in fees and this can be discussed at interview. The Advanced Learning Loan is available for most 19+ applicants dependent on your nationality/residency status (please check www.gov.uk for more information or contact MMS). In addition there is a limited Bursary Fund available and MMS can help you apply and give you any information.