Access to HE
Study now, pay later!
An Access to Higher Education diploma course provides you with the skills, knowledge and qualifications needed to apply for university. The best bit? You can study now but pay later!
Whether you wish to gain a degree in social work, midwifery, science, health care, social sciences, criminology, or psychology; our expert Access to HE tutors along with exceptional resources will prepare you to move on to the next stage of your career path. University has never been more accessible!
Trips and visits
Students enrolled on one of our Access to Higher Education courses will be encouraged to visit university open days and attend regional HE fairs and UCAS events.
In previous years, students have attended taster events at Edge Hill University, spending the day attending workshops and seminars and giving Access to HE students a real taste of university life.
Industry links
The Access to HE department has many links with employers, some of whom are invited into college to deliver class talks and workshops.
Access to HE students benefit from the wealth of employers working in partnership with us on in our new Health & Social Care Academy: Warrington & Halton NHS Trust, The University of Chester, Warrington Local Authority, Warrington Disability Partnership and many other voluntary and charitable organisations.
We also have strong alumni so very often past students come into college and give you an insight into their current role and how the Access to HE course helped shape their future career.
I am an
Adult Learner
Our Access to HE courses are aimed at those adults who do not have the formal qualifications for higher education or haven't got the level 3 qualifications to change career. Whether you’re looking to pursue a nursing or paramedic career through our Access to HE Nursing & Midwifery or Access to HE Paramedic Science course, or whether you aren’t yet sure on your specific career path, with our Access to HE Health Professionals courses, we’ve got the course for you, discover them below!
To study, you may be eligible for an Advanced Learner Loan, which you are not required to pay back if you successfully complete a higher education course. Click here for more information about Advanced Learner Loans.
If you are considering studying nursing at university, you could apply for the government-led nursing bursary!
Level 2 Diploma Pre Access to HE
Part Time
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Level 2 Extended Certificate Pre Access to HE
Part Time
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Level 3 Diploma Access to HE - Nursing & Midwifery
Full Time
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Level 3 Diploma Access to HE - Paramedic Science
Full Time
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Level 3 Diploma Access to HE - Psychology, Mental Health and Wellbeing
Full Time
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Level 3 Diploma Access to HE - Science
Full Time
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Level 3 Diploma Access to HE - Social Sciences
Full Time
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Level 3 Diploma Access to HE - Social Work
Full Time
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Level 3 Diploma Access to HE Health & Social Care (Health Professionals)
Full Time
View course
Meet our students
“My tutors are so supportive and cater to everyone’s learning needs!”
Amelia, aspiring psychologist, is working towards her dream career with the help of our Access to HE: Social Science course.
So far, Amelia has enjoyed learning a range of counselling skills, which she has found are transferable to all aspects of her life.
She's also thriving in the college atmosphere, enjoying working in teams and building friendships in the classroom. The level of teaching and support she is receiving are also a highlight of her experience at our college.
Kadie enrolled on Access to HE: Nursing & Midwifery to follow her passion of becoming a mental health nurse.
Kadie previously worked as a Healthcare Assistant at Warrington Hospital and is looking to advance her career. With the help of our experienced and supportive tutors, Kadie feels confident and well-prepared for her next step towards university.
The Access to HE course has equipped her with a range of academic study skills that have elevated her learning experience, such as critical thinking, effective communication, and time management.
"You're never too old. I've turned 40 and am now following my dreams of becoming a paramedic, with thanks to the college's Pre Access course."
Kirsty had been out of education for a long time and after her 40th birthday, she decided it was time to follow her dreams. So, she took a leap of faith and landed back in the classroom at Warrington & Vale Royal College.
Currently working as personal trainer, Kirsty would love to change her career and enter the healthcare sector as a paramedic. Kirsty is enjoying her time on the course and feels it is preparing her well for the next step towards her dream career, which is to progress on to a Level 3 Diploma Access to HE course here at the college.
"I have learnt so much and have more confidence in my ability!"
Aveesha has always dreamt of being a nurse and decided to enrol on our Access to HE: Nursing & Midwifery course in pursuit of this career.
Aveesha is now studying Adult Nursing at the University of Chester and is one step closer to achieving her career goals. She says: "My experience at Warrington & Vale Royal College was brilliant. I made friends for life, gained lots of knowledge around the subject I wanted to study at university and my tutors, Gerri and Chris, were amazing! Completing the Access course has been a true lifesaver for me. I don’t think I would have managed my first year of university without it."
Meet our tutors
Lianne Dawson
Lianne Dawson joined Warrington & Vale Royal College last year with a wealth of industry knowledge and experience. She is the perfect person to teach Access to Higher Education (HE) at the college, having completed an Access to HE: Nursing & Midwifery course herself before going on to achieve a Bachelor of Science degree from Edge Hill University in 2014, and then a Postgraduate Degree in Education from the University of Bolton in 2015. Lianne’s academic pursuits don’t stop there; she is now completing a Doctor of Education at the University of Chester, with a research focus on how social status impacts the academic confidence of Access to HE students. Lianne truly is an expert in her field.
Amy Capper
Access to HE Tutor Amy Capper enjoys sharing her vast knowledge and experience with the students she teaches on our Access to HE courses.
Amy Capper can boast not one, but two undergraduate degrees in Law and in Criminology and Social Policy, alongside a master’s degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice. These qualifications, coupled with Amy’s experience in healthcare, community mental health and learning disability settings, allow her to share a wealth of knowledge with her students.
Amy particularly enjoys hosting classroom debates and hearing different perspectives put forward by her students on the topics covered.
Why choose us?
Study now, pay later!
Access to HE courses are Advanced Learner Loan funded. If you go on to complete a degree after your Access course, you do not have to pay the loan back.
Each year, after gaining a range of new skills and practical experience, many of our students progress on to university to pursue their new career. Last year alone, 70% of our Access to HE students went on to study at their first-choice university!
Outstanding Facilities: HE Learning Centre
The Craig Atherton Higher Education Learning Centre is a dedicated area for students on higher education programmes, situated in the college's LRC, and providing both quiet study pods and breakout areas for group study.
The Learning Centre houses a number of PC and Apple Mac computers as well as providing space for students to study using their own digital devices. The space also houses pop up support workshops delivered by the college's welfare & learning support teams on topics such as study skills.
Outstanding Facilities: Health & Social Care Academy
Our Access to HE students will benefit from the wealth of resources in in our new Health & Social Care Academy.
The Health & Social Care Academy will feature a range of fantastic industry-standard facilities including hospital beds, medical equipment and dementia training facilities. The academy will be a regional centre of excellence, training students to meet local employment needs.
Outstanding Facilities: Learning Resource Centre
Students will have access to our dedicated Learning Resource Centre (LRC), which is equipped with specialist educational software and thousands of e-resources to support your study. The LRC also contains quiet study rooms, which can be booked out by students who prefer to complete their work in a private space.
Feedback from our Access to HE Alumni
- “I genuinely loved doing the Access course, it laid a strong foundation for my first year at university!” - Chevelle
- “I couldn’t have chosen a better college to complete my Access course!” – Marta
- “Completing the Access course has been a true lifesaver for me. I don’t think I would have managed my first year of university without it. - Aveesha
- “ The Access course provided us with the ideal preparation for university. I felt so much more prepared for assignments compared to people in my class who didn’t complete an Access course” - Kayleigh
- “I learnt so much from my tutors at the college, completing the Access course has been a massive help to get me prepared for university.” - Reece
Choosing a career based on Access to HE Back to top
11 March 2024
Meet Zobi Ellahi, an ambitious Access to HE: Science student
26 February 2024
Meet Rebecca Goralski, Access to HE: Nursing & Midwifery student
15 February 2024
Meet Sian Lowe, an ambitious Access to HE: Nursing & Midwifery student
5 February 2024
Meet Nickie Rowntree, Access to HE: Nursing & Midwifery student
13 December 2023
Meet Kadie Dolphin, ambitious Access to HE: Nursing & Midwifery student
1 December 2023
Meet Katie Dobbs, aspirational Access to HE: Nursing & Midwifery student
17 November 2023
Meet Martin Lane, Pre Access to HE student
3 October 2023
Meet Eddie Lewis, Pre Access to HE student
7 August 2023
Lara Ackers Glanvill is one step closer to her dream career after completing her Access to HE: Social Work course
26 July 2023
Meet Aveesha, Access to HE: Nursing & Midwifery alumni
25 July 2023
How to get into university without A Levels or a Level 3 qualification
1 June 2023
Meet Daisy, Access to HE: Nursing & Midwifery alumni
11 May 2023
Rebecca Vickers former Access to HE: Social Sciences student, is flourishing at The University of Chester
20 April 2023
Meet Georgia, Access to HE: Health Professionals student with an offer to study at the University of Salford in September
20 April 2023
Meet Natasha, former Access to HE: Nursing and Midwifery student who is thriving at Edge Hill University
31 March 2023
Meet Nicole, Access to HE: Health Professionals student with an offer to study at the University of Chester in September
11 August 2022