Access to HE Health Care
Access to HE Health Care
Access to Higher Education Diploma (Health Care)
An Access course is an intense learning opportunity, aimed at adults who wish to study at university but don’t necessarily have the qualifications to apply.
Is this course right for me?
This course is designed for learners who may not have any recent qualifications which enable them to gain entry onto a degree level course. The learner will gain a sound overview of health covering physical, social and psychological aspects.
This is an intensive course which requires a high level of dedication and ideally 100% attendance. You will be required to study outside normal college hours in order to complete assignments and undertake background reading. Candidates must be certain they are ready for both the academic demands and the workload of the programme in order to achieve the Diploma at a standard required for university entry.
Please note you may be required to complete an online introduction to study programme during the Summer. Further information will be provided at your information session.
This course normally runs over three days per week.
What are the entry requirements?
- Two GCSEs at grade C or above to include English Language/First Language Welsh and Mathematics/Numeracy
- Life skills, experience and maturity are important
- Successful completion of online summer programme
- Each application is considered on individual merit
- Entry is subject to attending a course information session or informal interview
- Applicants are normally aged 19 or above before the start of the course
Current student - what are the entry requirements?
- Successful completion of relevant programme (including skills) and decision from progression board meeting
- GCSE English Language/First Language Welsh at grade C or above
- GCSE Mathematics/Numeracy at grade C or above
- Successful completion of online summer programme
What will I learn?
Units to be studied include:
- Numeracy for health professionals
- Numeracy for health professionals – scientific application
- Data handling and probability
- Academic skills
- Communication for health work
- Professional behaviours for healthcare professionals
- The cardiovascular system
- Human renal system
- Pulmonary respiration
- Human skeletal system
- Human reproductive systems
- Cell structure and transport
- Effects of lifestyle on health
- Health, education and behaviour
- Stress and stress management
- Theoretical approaches to psychology
- Sociology perspectives
- Extended essay
Will I need to study additional English & Maths skills?
You may need to study an additional skills course depending on:
- the course you are taking at College
- what grades you gained in your GCSE Maths and/or English Language
Click below to find out what skills course you may be taking at College.
If you are studying a Workbased qualification:
- Essential Skills Wales (ESW) in Application of Number and Communications, for Progression pathway programmes within the Built Environment Faculty only
All other courses:
- Upskilling Destination Programme – an hour and half session a week developing essential research skills, critical thinking, and academic writing techniques, supporting literacy, numeracy, digital literacy and employability skills
If you are studying a Workbased qualification:
- Essential Skills Wales (ESW) in Application of Number and Communications, for Progression pathway programmes within the Built Environment Faculty only
All other courses and those who have progressed through the internal progression route:
- A one year GCSE Resit Programme in GCSE Mathematics Intermediate Tier (Welsh or English medium) / GCSE English Language
If you are studying a Workbased qualification:
- Essential Skills Wales (ESW) in Application of Number and Communications, for Progression pathway programmes within the Built Environment Faculty only
All other courses and those who have progressed through the internal progression route:
- A one or two year pre-GCSE upskilling course in required subject/s – The priority of this programme (Foundation Maths for Mathematics pathway) is to build fundamental skill and knowledge, to prepare learners for progression onto the one-year, intermediate tier resit programme.
If you are studying a Workbased qualification:
- Essential Skills Wales (ESW) in Application of Number and Communications, for Progression pathway programmes within the Built Environment Faculty only
All other courses:
- A one year pre-GCSE upskilling course in mathematics – The priority of this programme is to build fundamental skill and knowledge, to prepare learners for progression to the Foundation Maths programme.
If you are studying a Workbased qualification:
- Essential Skills Wales (ESW) in Application of Number and Communications
All other courses:
- Upskilling Destination Programme – an hour and half session a week developing essential research skills, critical thinking, and academic writing techniques, supporting literacy, numeracy, digital literacy and employability skills
- A one year GCSE resit course in required subject/s
- Essential Skills Wales (ESW) in Application of Number and Communications, for Progression pathway programmes within the Built Environment Faculty only
For English:
- A one or two year pre-GCSE upskilling course in required subject/s
- Essential Skills Wales (ESW) in Application of Number and Communications, for Progression pathway programmes within the Built Environment Faculty only
For Maths:
- A one year GCSE resit course in required subject/s
- Essential Skills Wales (ESW) in Application of Number and Communications, for Progression pathway programmes within the Built Environment Faculty only
- A two year pre-GCSE upskilling course in required subject/s
- Essential Skills Wales (ESW) in Application of Number and Communications, for Progression pathway programmes within the Built Environment Faculty only
Learners studying on a Jobs Growth Wales (JGW+) programme will be timetabled into literacy and numeracy sessions. To discuss the opportunity of attending a GCSE resit programme, in addition to their JGW+ timetable, please contact skills@pembrokeshire.ac.uk
Can I do this course in Welsh?
How will I be assessed?
- Continuous assessment during the course
- Practical assessment during the course
- Portfolio of evidence
What can I do next?
Future careers could include: Nursing, Midwifery, Occupational Health, Podiatry, Speech Therapy, Sports Science and Complementary Therapy.
Do I need to bring/buy any equipment?
- Stationery - you will be told about any specific items before you start the course
- Textbooks - you will be told about any specific items before you start the course, most textbooks are available to loan from the college library or online libraries
- A memory stick/a small portable USB hard drive
- You may be eligible for funding. Find out more on our student finance page
Any costs above are approximate and may change.
Are there any additional costs?
- No tuition fee
- We are waiving the Administration Fee for the academic year 2025/26
- You will need to pay a £35 access workshop fee each year before you start the course
- You can rent a locker for £10 per year this will be refunded if the locker remains undamaged and keys are returned
- You may be eligible for funding. Find out more on our student finance page
Any costs above are approximate and may change.
Additional information
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Sports Academy: While on this course you may be able to join our Sports Academy, if you have a talent for sport, find out what we offer on our Sports Academy page.
