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 on 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 - Science
Full Time
View course
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
"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 feels as though our Access to HE course has fully prepared her to study at university level, saying: “My tutors have been very supportive. I have learnt so much and have more confidence in my ability!”
Aveesha is now studying Nursing at the University of Chester and is one step closer to achieving her career goals.
"Returning to education gives you a real focus and a sense of achievement. Whatever your age, if you’re thinking about a change of career just go for it! The course is so interesting and my classmates are great and really supportive.”
Having heard great things about Warrington & Vale Royal College and the range of courses on offer, Elizabeth applied to study an Access to HE diploma to pursue her dream of working in the health and social care sector. During her college interview, Elizabeth instantly felt at ease thanks to the friendly and personable approach from the tutors.
Elizabeth hopes to continue her studies at The University of Salford and eventually secure a job working in the NHS.
"There were times when I doubted myself and my ambitions but my tutors never let me give up.”
Louise Marigold enrolled on the Access to HE: Health Professionals course after deciding that it was ‘her time now' - time to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a midwife. She then progressed onto the HNC & HND in Healthcare Practice with us.
Following completion of the HND, Louise was offered a place to study BA (Hons) Midwifery at Liverpool John Moores University. Louise is currently in her final year at university and says the Access to HE, HNC & HND really helped prepare her for further study.
She said: “The best thing about studying higher education at Warrington & Vale Royal College is the tutors. They’re incredibly supportive, take the time to understand you as an individual and really want the best for you.”
"Tutors are always on hand to help when needed”
Former teaching assistant Jade-Leah decided she would like to study at the college to become a social worker within child protection. Currently studying an Access to HE course in Social Sciences.
As well as studying at the college, Jade-Leah also has a job and 3 children. She manages to balance everything in her life extremely well, saying it helps that her college course is flexible. tutors are “always on hand to help when needed”.
Jade-Leah says that her tutors are excellent and she’s really enjoying the subjects they are covering, which includes criminology, law, psychology and mental health. Speaking proudly, Jade-Leah says that she already has 2 university interviews lined up so her access course is definitely helping her progress to where she would like to be.
“My tutors have been great; they support and encourage me and are always at the other end of an email when needed.”
Meet Rebecca Overton. Rebecca studies Access to HE: Social Work at the college, a decision she made after a previous positive experience here studying another course. She knew she would be supported and encouraged to reach her full potential.
Rebecca has worked in the health and social care sector for seven years and is now looking to progress to university to pursue a career in social work
"I have goals to progress on to a career in social work or counselling."
Sasha had previously struggled to find a college course that inspired her, but that all changed when she discovered Access to HE at Warrington & Vale Royal College.
Sasha has studied a range of modules on her social sciences course so far. She has particularly enjoyed the criminology element and is looking forward to digging deeper into psychology.
In the future, Sasha hopes to progress on to a career in social work or counselling and feels the course is providing her with the necessary skills and knowledge to do so.
Meet our tutors
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.
Choosing a career based on Access to HE Back to top
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
14 April 2023
Meet Cezary, Access to HE: Health Professionals with an offer to study at Edge Hill University in September
31 March 2023
Meet Nicole, Access to HE: Health Professionals student with an offer to study at the University of Chester in September
14 December 2022
Meet Sasha, Access to HE: Social Sciences student
11 August 2022
University offers all-round for Warrington & Vale Royal College’s Access to HE: Nursing & Midwifery Class of 21/22!
30 May 2022
