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Access to HE Diploma in Health and Social Care

Intro

The Access to HE Diploma in Health and Social Care is a Level 3 qualification, which is equivalent to A Levels.

Successful completion of this course provides a route back into education and will prepare you to study at degree level in a range health and social care areas.

Ruskin is a friendly and inclusive college, with an ethos that puts you very much at the centre of the learning experience. It is the ideal environment to set out on your path to a rewarding career, especially if you are an adult returning to education.

Course details

Alongside some study skills units, your course will include units that will introduce you to a range of topics central to health and social care. Some examples of study units for this course are shown below – please note these may vary.

  • Study units

    Study skills

    • Essay writing
    • Reading and comprehension of texts
    • Arithmetic for health studies
    • The role of the health or social care professional
    • Preparation for higher education
    • Sourcing and reading information

    Biology

    • Blood
    • Cells
    • Genes and inheritance
    • Disease and immunity
    • Human tissues and systems
    • The reproductive system

    History

    • Mixed economies of welfare in society
    • Development of the welfare state
    • The National Health Service

    Sociology

    • Ethical dilemmas
    • Disability and social inclusion
    • Extended project

Start date

The next start date is September 2025.

See How to apply

Entry requirements

Qualifications

No specific qualifications are required to apply for this course. However, a GCSE in English and Maths at grade 4/C or equivalent Level 2 qualifications such as Functional Skills would be beneficial. Equivalent international qualifications are also accepted.

Applicants are advised to contact the universities to which they plan to apply, to check their Level 2 Maths and English criteria. If you do not hold Level 2 qualifications, please contact us to discuss your options.

You will be asked to attend an interview and to complete a Maths and English assessment as part of the application process.

Age

You must be age 19 or over by September of the year in which you start the course.

Residency

Access courses are only open to UK residents. Additionally, you must fulfil residency requirements to be eligible for government funding, which we check when you apply.

Teaching and assessment

You will be assessed through a programme of coursework.

Your work is graded at Pass, Merit or Distinction, with most learners being assessed at Pass initially but getting higher grades as the course progresses.

Length of course

This course lasts for 33 weeks and is classed as full-time learning. Currently teaching takes places on three days per week - Wednesdays, Thursday and Friday, 9.30am – 3.00pm.

You'll have 15 hours a week of teaching and we expect you to do a minimum of 15 hours a week of self-study.

The course dates we offer fit around school holidays, making it easier to manage your studies alongside family commitments.

Study progression

This course prepares you for degree-level study in preparation for a career in the health field.

Although the qualification has not been designed to lead directly to employment, it will support you to take steps towards a career in a range of related professions.

Course cost

Please note, the course cost will be confirmed shortly.

We will help you access financial support if you are entitled to it: find out if you are eligible.

Find out more about fees and funding.

How to apply

To apply for this course, please fill in our access course application form.

Find out more

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If you'd like to find out more about this course, please get in touch.

We'd be happy to talk through the course in detail, advise about funding options and help you with your application.

Call us on 01865 759658 or email courses@ruskin.ac.uk