Access to Higher Education

If you are interested in applying, you will need to attend the Access to HE events.

Access to HE events are organised to provide you with the chance to find out more about the programme, and start the formal application process should you decide you would like to study for an Access to HE Diploma. To make sure the programme is right for you, we will ask you to complete some tasks and attend an individual interview. The tasks allow us to assess your academic skills. The interview will give you the opportunity to discuss your goals and ask questions. Each event covers two separate evenings - please note that attendance is required at both evenings to ensure eligibility.

• Allied Health Professions
  This pathway will help you to progress on to studying a degree in radiography, physiotherapy, pharmaceutical, dietetics, or nutrition. Topics of study include human biology, chemistry for life sciences, health psychology as well as independent research projects.
• Teaching, Education and Childhood Studies
  This pathway will help you to progress on to studying a degree in childhood studies, primary school teaching and early years education. You will study units such as reflective practice and multicultural education and getting first-hand experience of classroom practice through work placements. Students will also complete units in psychology, biology and literature.
• Humanities
  This pathway will help you to progress on to studying a degree in history, literature, or religious studies, as well as combined programmes in humanities. The programme will be an introduction to the study of history, literature and creative writing, philosophy, social theory and religious thought at a higher academic level. There will also be an independent piece of research at the end of the programme.
• Nursing & Midwifery
  This pathway will help you to progress on to studying a degree in nursing, including child, adult and mental health, or midwifery. The programme will develop your understanding of human biology, health psychology and health studies through lectures and independent research projects.
• Science
  This pathway will help you to progress on to studying a degree in biomedical science, biological science, or biochemistry. You will look closely at human biology, chemistry for life sciences, mathematics for scientists and research planning. You will also be required to complete an independent piece of research at the end of the programme.
• Applied Social Science
  This pathway will help you to progress on to studying a degree in social sciences such as criminology, psychology, sociology, and social policy. The objective of the programme is to build your confidence in and understanding of sociology and psychology. This diploma is also appropriate for those seeking entry in to social work degrees and other vocational programmes, such as youth studies.

If time permits, individual interviews will be held the same evening following these tests. You will be told whether your results, alongside the writing tasks completed the first evening, suggest readiness for the Access to HE programme. If so, we will discuss your university and career goals and, if we offer you a place on the programme, advise you on next steps.

• First evening
  The evening begins with a presentation on the programme, the different Diplomas available and what to expect at NHC. Those who would like to apply are then invited to complete the first task, which is a small piece of writing.
• Second evening
  You will complete some computer tests (literacy and numeracy).