Ascentis Access to HE Diploma (Nursing & Midwifery) - Evening

The Access to Higher Education (HE) Diploma is for learners aged 19+ who do not have the qualifications required to enter HE. Each year around 30,000 learners in the UK take Access programs and many go on to succeed in HE and embark on life changing new careers. The Nursing and Midwifery Diploma can give you Access to a wide range of Healthcare and Nursing degrees.

We offer both daytime and evening courses for nursing and midwifery students - ideal for those who are working and capable of fitting around your existing commitments.

During the course you will be studying two main subject sets: Biology and Psychology,
Some of the topics covered in Psychology are main psychological theories, child development and treating disorders.
Some of the topics covered in biology are cell biology, anatomy and physiology, genetics and the reproductive system. You will also complete a laboratory based research practical. In addition to the main subject areas you will also complete study skills in preparation for university study.

Adult Nursing, Paediatric Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, SEN Nursing, General Nursing and Midwifery. Other Job opportunities are in the field of Health Care Workers, Occupational Health, Social Work and Operating Department practitioner among many others after completing this diploma.

English GCSE grade C (4) or Functional Skills in English level 2 equivalent. It is desirable and recommended that you have the same qualification in mathematics as this can limit your choice of university place. No additional Level 2 qualifications are required but they would be beneficial.

Our entry requirements are in place to support our students in achieving the qualifications they have chosen to study. In addition to the entry requirements, all students will be regularly assessed by East Durham College at an early stage in their study programme. This is to ensure that students are enrolled onto courses which suit their abilities – following assessment, there may be occasions when students are transferred to a relevant course at a higher or lower level in order to ensure they are enrolled on to the right course for them to achieve and progress.

Entry onto any course at EDC may have entry requirements in addition to exam results; this includes but is not limited to DBS checks, references, fitness to practice and at times physical requirements to be capable of achieving the practical elements of the course without assistance. Entry onto any course at East Durham College is subject to final approval from the Assistant Principal.

All assessments are assessed internally and include assignments, essays, research projects and controlled assessments.

September 2025

Your course is structured over 36 weeks from September to June, divided into two semesters. Your course will run either over two evenings per week, or two daytimes per week.