About Access to Higher Education

What Is an Access Course?

The Access to Nursing and Healthcare Professions course is a one-year course for students over 19 without the standard qualifications to enter higher education. The course comprises of Level 3 units (A level equivalent) in Health Studies, Psychology and Biology. Students without GCSE Maths and/or English language at C or above may be able study GCSE Maths and GCSE English language while studying the Access course at no additional cost (only avaliable at our Gravesend campus). As many degree courses related to nursing require relevant work experience, students are encouraged to undertake paid or voluntary work experience in a care setting while studying the Access course.

Apply now for a September start and you could be starting a university course next year!

Please note:

Advanced Learner Loans can be applied for ALL our Access courses

• What qualification will I gain?

  You will gain an Access Diploma to Higher Education. You may also be given the opportunity to study GCSE Maths and GCSE English. For explanations of our qualifications, please see our Qualifications Explained page. 

• What progression options will I have?

  Higher Education, either at NKC or a university.

  NKC offers a range of undergraduate courses, so an Access course could be the perfect platform to prepare you for our Higher Education programmes.

• What costs are involved?

  Government funding for Access to Higher Education courses is available for students aged 19-23 as of 31 August who have not already achieved a full level 3 qualification*. If this applies to you, you will not have any course tuition or registration fees to pay.

  If you're aged 19-23 and already have a full level 3 qualification*, or if you are aged 24 or over, you will have to pay tuition and registration costs as follows:

  Access to Nursing and Healthcare – Tuition fee £3,300 and Registration fee £185

  You can however apply for an Advanced Learner Loan (similar to a Higher Education Loan) which will cover your tuition fees (but not the registration fee which you will be required to pay at enrolment.) As an added incentive, if you progress straight onto university with no break from your Access course, your loan will be written off.

  Students who take out an Advanced Learner Loan and who are undertaking the access course, with a household income of below £21,000 may also apply to the college for a bursary award which may cover the registration fee, the cost of books, a contribution to travel expenses (if the student lives more than 2 miles from college) and may also cover childcare (for one child only). Students below the age of 20 (as of 31 August) can apply to the Governments Care to Learn scheme for funding for childcare.

  *A full Level 3 qualification is equivalent to:

  • 2 A Level passes (grade E or above)
  • 4 or more AS Level passes (grade E or above)
  • AVCE Double Award
  • GNVQ at Advanced Level
  • NVQ at Level 3
  • QAA Access to Higher Education
  • Any other qualification at a higher level than those listed above

• Entry Requirements

  There are no formal entry requirements, but you will need to attend an interview. Applicants are assessed in English and maths before the interview.

  Click here to view Access to Higher Education courses or call 01322 629400.