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Adults

Access To Higher Education

West Lancashire College have Access To Higher Education courses available for adults over the age of 19 and who have been out of education for a period of time.

Students will study a range of skills to prepare them for Higher Education. If students do not have any work experience within a care setting for two of our courses, this is something that would need to be considered before applying.

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Access To Higher Education: Nursing (Full Time)

Our 1-year full-time Access to Higher Education: Nursing course prepares adults for university, covering human biology, anatomy, physiology, genetics, and health and social care, while developing essential academic skills.

Length: 34 Weeks
Study: Full Time
Start date: 7th September 2026
Location: West Lancashire College

100%*

pass rate for Access to Higher Education

*data from Proachieve September 2024

8

subject areas to choose from

Good

Ofsted Report 2024

Lynsey Makin, Head of Curriculum for Health, Education and Foundation Learning

Lynsey Makin

Head of Curriculum for Health, Education and Foundation Learning

I am an experienced educator with a background in the health and care sectors. I am passionate about supporting learners on their educational journey and take great satisfaction in seeing them achieve their goals and progress into rewarding careers. I am proud to be part of a highly effective team that combines high expectations with a caring and nurturing approach. Together, we strive to equip our learners with the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to recognise their potential, achieve their ambitions, and succeed in their future careers.

Caroline Stewart

Caroline Stewart

Access to Higher Education Lecturer

With over 30 years of experience in the sport and fitness industry and more than 13 years as an educational practitioner, I bring a wealth of expertise and passion to my role as an Anatomy and Physiology lecturer. My background in sports massage therapy and personal training enhances my teaching, particularly when delivering Human Physiology modules on the Access to Higher Education programme. As a local female educator, I am proud to support adults within the community as they work towards achieving their academic and personal goals. It is incredibly rewarding to see learners succeed, and many of my former students have progressed to university and gone on to build successful careers in health, sport, and fitness. Driven by a belief in lifelong learning and the power of education to transform lives, I am passionate about inspiring, motivating, and guiding learners on their journey towards higher education and future career success.

Lauren, Student

Lauren

Access To Higher Education Alumni Student

West Lancashire College gave me the opportunity to achieve something I never thought possible. The Access course enabled me to make a seamless transition into a new career. Balancing full-time work with evening classes was one of the most challenging periods of my life, but the support, encouragement, and flexibility provided by the College made the journey much more manageable. After progressing to Edge Hill University, I successfully secured a role as a Midwife. I am incredibly proud of what I have achieved and excited to begin this rewarding new chapter in my career.

Sarah, Access To HE Alumni Student

Sarah

Access To Higher Education Alumni Student

As I wanted to return to education and prepare for university, I chose to study the Access to Higher Education Diploma in Nursing and Midwifery. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting new people, refreshing my academic writing skills, and developing new knowledge that would support my progression into higher education. The evening course provided the flexibility I needed to balance my studies with other commitments, while also helping me build my confidence as a learner. It gave me a strong foundation for my future studies and prepared me for the next stage of my journey towards a career in healthcare. I am now studying BSc (Hons) Midwifery at Edge Hill University.

Access To Higher Education Alumni Student

Jess

Access To Higher Education Alumni Student

I chose to study the Nursing course because I had always dreamed of becoming a paramedic, and it seemed like the perfect pathway to achieving that goal. The course was challenging at times, but it pushed me to develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence I needed for my future career. Throughout my studies, my tutor, Paula, was incredibly supportive and encouraged me every step of the way. The course provided me with a strong foundation for higher education and helped prepare me for the next stage of my journey. I am now studying for a Paramedic Science degree at Edge Hill University, taking an important step towards achieving my career ambitions.

Sally, Access To Higher Education Alumni Student

Sally

Access To Higher Education Alumni Student

I decided to study the Access to Higher Education Diploma in Nursing and Midwifery because I was already working in a care home and thoroughly enjoyed the role, but I wanted to further develop my knowledge and gain additional educational experience. I particularly enjoyed studying biology and learning more about how the human body works. I also valued the opportunity to meet new people, broaden my understanding of healthcare, and develop my academic writing skills. The course helped me build my confidence as a learner and provided a strong foundation for progression into higher education. It gave me the knowledge, skills, and preparation needed to take the next steps towards a career in healthcare.

Alana, Access To Higher Education Student

Alana

Access To Higher Education Alumni Student

I chose to study the Access to Higher Education Diploma in Nursing because I had always dreamed of becoming a children's nurse, and the course provided an excellent opportunity to learn more about the profession and prepare for my future career. I thoroughly enjoyed returning to education, developing my academic skills, and meeting new people who shared similar ambitions. The course helped me build my confidence, expand my knowledge of healthcare, and develop the study skills needed for higher education. I am now studying for a BSc (Hons) Nursing (Child) degree at Liverpool John Moores University, taking the next step towards achieving my career goal of becoming a children's nurse.

Phone: 01695 52300

Email: enquiries@westlancs.ac.uk

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