
Access To Higher Education: Nursing and Midwifery (Evening)
Start Date: 2nd September 2025

- Length 35 Weeks
- Study Part Time
- Location West Lancashire College
More about the course
Access to Higher Education courses are designed for adults who have been away from education and are looking to get to university but may not yet have the qualifications to do so.
The college’s one-year programme - Access To Higher Education Diploma (Health & Social Care), awarded by Ascentis, will give you the foundations required to prepare you for university study. Topics covered include human biology, anatomy & physiology, genetics, and health & social provision, plus you will be coached to develop your academic writing and research skills in readiness for degree level study.
Duration
This course can be studied in the evening over 2 per week, over 35 weeks.
Entry requirements
- GCSEs in English and Maths (Grade C/4 or above) or equivalent
What will I achieve?
If you successfully complete this course, you will receive a nationally recognised and highly regarded Access to HE Diploma (Health and Social Care)
What will I learn?
- Introduction to human cell biology
- Preparing to progress
- Introduction to Health and Social Care
- Developing your research skills
- Writing for academic purposes
- Aspects of human physiology
- Anatomy and physiology
- Tissue types
- Human reproduction and inheritance
- Infectious diseases
- Genetics
- Health and Social Care provision
- Research project
- Care and the older person
- Understanding abuse
You will also study a range of skills to prepare you for Higher Education.
If you don't have any work experience in a care setting, this is something that you ought to consider before starting the course so that you have an understanding of working in the field. This will prepare you for writing a personal statement for University.
How am I assessed?
- Coursework
Our Access To Higher Education courses are accredited by Ascentis.
Where can I progress?
If you successfully complete a Level 3 course at West Lancashire College, you are eligible to apply for a place on an appropriate degree programme. This will be subject to a satisfactory interview.
The expectation is and the emphasis of the course is that you will be both applying and progressing onto a degree course at a range of Higher Education Institutions e.g. University of Central Lancashire and Edge Hill University.
Course costs
If you are aged 19-23 and studying your first full Level 3 course, this course could be free for you. Please call 01695 52300 or email enquiries@westlancs.ac.uk to confirm the fee for this course. Course costs may be subject to change.
If you are aged 19 and over, studying your second or subsequent Level 3 free, or discounts fees are not available, please call Student Services on 01695 52300 for information on Advanced Learning Loans.
Alternatively, you can view the Government Advanced Learning Loans page to find out more.
If you need information on any financial support that may be available to you with fees or study costs on this course, please contact Student Services who can offer advice and assistance on accessing any financial support that may be available.
*Students aged 19-23, may be entitled to a 100% fee discount. This is subject to eligibility.
Adult Funding Changes
Due to changes in Government funding from 1st August 2019, students who resident in some postcodes in Merseyside and Greater Manchester may be unable to access funding from training providers and colleges in Lancashire and may have to pay all associated course and support costs.
Please note, this does not include courses that are paid for by Advanced Learner Loans.
To check if your postcode is part of the new devolved funding legislation, please contact Course Enquiries on 01695 52300 for further advice.
Contact our team
Meet our Access students and tutors

Lynsey Makin
Head of Curriculum for Health, Education and Foundation LearningI am an experienced educator, with a background in health and care industries. I have a real passion in facilitating our learners' journey and watching as they achieve their goals and embark on their future careers. I am proud to be part of a highly effective team which offers nurture, high expectations and a drive to succeed, equipping our learners with the skills and confidence they need to recognise and reach their full potential.

Lauren
Access StudentWest Lancashire College gave me the opportunity to achieve something that I never thought was possible. The Access course allowed me to change my career seamlessly. Working full time and doing an evening school was one of the most challenging times I've faced, but the support and flexibility made my journey so much easier. After what feels like 5 minutes at Edge Hill University, I have now secured a job as a Midwife and can't wait to start my new journey!
What can I do with a qualification in Access?
Daily tasks:
- Monitors patient.
- Supervises physiotherapy assistants.
- Offers advice and education on how to avoid injury and promote patient.
- Explains treatment to and instructs patient in posture and other exercises and adapts treatment as necessary.
- Plans and undertakes therapy to improve circulation, restore joint mobility, strengthen muscles and reduce pain.
- Writes up patients.
- Examines medical reports and assesses patient to determine the condition of muscles, nerves or joints in need of treatment.
- Provides prosthetic devices to patients and advises on rehabilitation.
- Carries out a range of oral/dental treatments.
- Diagnoses and treats patients with a variety of hearing-related problems.
Daily tasks:
- Delivers lectures and other forms of formal training relating to nursing practice.
- Plans, manages, provides and evaluates nursing care services for patients, supervises the implementation of nursing care plans.
- Advises on nursing care, disease prevention, nutrition, etc. and liaises with hospital board/ management on issues concerning nursing policy.
- Plans duty rotas and organises and directs the work and training of ward and theatre nursing staff.
- Participates in the preparation for physical and psychological treatment of mentally ill patients.
- Monitors patient.
- Manages own case load.
- Assists medical doctors and works with other healthcare professionals to deal with emergencies and pre-planned treatment of patients.
Daily tasks:
- Delivers lectures and other forms of training in midwifery practice.
- Plans and manages midwifery care services.
- Supervises more junior staff and directs the work of the midwifery unit.
- Advises on baby care, exercise, diet and family planning issues.
- Monitors recovery of mother in postnatal period and supervises the nursing of premature and other babies requiring special attention.
- Delivers babies in normal births and assists doctors with difficult deliveries.
- Monitors condition and progress of patient and baby throughout pregnancy.
Daily tasks:
- Advises and prescribes in areas of complementary and alternative medicine.
- Inserts needles under the skin, administers aromatic herbs and oils and massages body to relieve pain and restore health.
- Manipulates and massages patient to discover the cause of pain, relieve discomfort, restore function and mobility and to correct irregularities in body structure.
- Diagnoses and treats disorders of vision and eye movements, monitors subsequent progress and recommends further optical, pharmacological or surgical treatment as required.
- Prescribes diet therapy and gives advice to patients, health care professionals and the public on dietetic and nutritional matters for those with special dietary requirements or to prevent illness.
Daily tasks:
- Changes bed linen, makes beds and tidies wards.
- Assists patients in washing, dressing, toiletry activities and general mobility.
- Distributes and serves food, assists patients in feeding and prepares snacks and hot drinks.
- Prepares patient for examination and treatment.
- Performs basic clinical tasks such as taking patients.
Upcoming events

Open Event
West Lancashire College
Thursday 1st May 2025
4:30pm - 7:00pm

Parent/Carer Information Evening
West Lancashire College
Tuesday 24th June 2025
4:30pm - 7:00pm
News
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