Access to Higher Education Diploma (Health Professions) - Bury St Edmunds - Daytime

About the course

Start your journey towards a career in healthcare with the Access to Higher Education Diploma in Health Professions. You will explore a range of science and health-related subjects while developing the academic, communication and research skills needed for higher education. This supportive daytime course is ideal for adults aiming to progress into nursing, midwifery, paramedicine, occupational therapy and other healthcare professions.

Entry requirements

Applicants must be 19 years of age or older on 31st August prior to the course beginning. Entry is by interview and successful completion of a task within a given time frame.

GCSE English and Maths Grade 4/C or above

or

Functional Skills English and Maths Level 2

Find out more about Maths and English qualifications offered at the college.

Qualifications

Nursing and Health Professions Access to HE Diploma Level 3

What you'll learn (core modules)

Modules include: 

• Psychology - Abnormal Psychology
• Psychology - Health
• Psychology - Stress and Illness
• Sociology - Health & Illness 
• Sociology - Research Methods
• Sociology - Disability
• Physiology - Cells
• Physiology - Genetics
• Physiology - Growth and Development
• Physiology - Body Systems
• Physiology - Health & Disease
• Research Project
• Study Skills 
• Maths
• Physiology Key Concepts

How will I be assessed?

A number of different assessments are used on the Access course.

These include essay writing; presentations; research reports; exams; an e-portfolio of Higher Education Study Skills and an Independent Research Project.

These assessments will develop your academic skills in line with university expectations ensuring a smooth transition into degree level study programmes.

Where is the course delivered? (facilities/classrooms)

The course is delivered at:

University Studies Campus
73 Western Way
Bury St Edmunds
Suffolk IP33 3SP

Sudbury Centre

18-20 Conard Road

Sudbury

CO10 2XA

Thetford Centre

Charles Burrell Centre

Staniforth Road

Thetford

IP24 3LH

Ipswich Centre

11 Fore Street

Ipswich

IP4 1JW

Where will this course take me?

You will be able to progress to degrees such as Adult Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, Midwifery, Occupational Health, Social Work and ODP.

You can also access degrees here at USWSC in subjects such as Psychology, Psychology & Criminology, Sociology & Criminology, and Early Childhood Studies.

If you need help with funding

We offer flexible payment plans to help spread the cost of fees.
If you are aged between 19 and 23 and studying for your first full Level 3 qualification, your course will be fully funded through our Adult Education Budget and you will not incur any fees.
If you are 19-23 and already have a full level 3 qualification or are over 24, you can apply for an Advanced Learner Loan to fund your course. 
For students studying Access to HE diplomas, Student Finance England will write off any outstanding Advanced Learner Loan balances taken out to pay for an Access course should you complete a degree. This means that you would not have to repay your access loan.
Study is hard enough without struggling to pay for the things that you may need to undertake your course. A discretionary bursary fund, depending on household income and family circumstances may provide support for travel, childcare and materials required for your course. Apply for a Bursary..

I'm interested. What should I do now?

Please apply online, or email us to find out more: AccesstoHE@wsc.ac.uk

Days & times

Starting 01/08/2026