Access to HE Diplomas

2

I was wondering how difficult an Access to HE diploma in nursing would be compared to retaking a levels next year. Is it harder or is it easier. I know its mainly for people who have been out of education for a bit but has anyone done it after flunking a levels?

Reply 1

Reality Check

22

Original post

by dead4

I was wondering how difficult an Access to HE diploma in nursing would be compared to retaking a levels next year. Is it harder or is it easier. I know its mainly for people who have been out of education for a bit but has anyone done it after flunking a levels?

A lot of Access courses do not allow students who've taken A levels in the past three years, so I'd check that before applying.

Assuming you could apply, I think it depends on how badly you did on your A levels. If you were miles off, then a slightly less academic approach (which Access courses offer) might work for you. You should be in the routine of studying, and have some effective learning strategies under your belt, which gives you a huge head start over the average Access student, who has been out of education for some time, and who has to learn all those 'soft skills' anew.

Academically, an Access to Healthcare (or equivalent) course is easier than A levels in something like chemistry, biology and maths. Technically they're both the same level (3), and equivalent, but in reality, and having taught on Access courses, I can assure you they're nowhere near equivalent. The style of learning is different, and they're usually very fast paced because of their compressed nature: if you like to have a relaxed approach to learning, they're not going to work for you.

Reply 2

dead4

OP

2

Original post

by Reality Check

A lot of Access courses do not allow students who've taken A levels in the past three years, so I'd check that before applying.
Assuming you could apply, I think it depends on how badly you did on your A levels. If you were miles off, then a slightly less academic approach (which Access courses offer) might work for you. You should be in the routine of studying, and have some effective learning strategies under your belt, which gives you a huge head start over the average Access student, who has been out of education for some time, and who has to learn all those 'soft skills' anew.
Academically, an Access to Healthcare (or equivalent) course is easier than A levels in something like chemistry, biology and maths. Technically they're both the same level (3), and equivalent, but in reality, and having taught on Access courses, I can assure you they're nowhere near equivalent. The style of learning is different, and they're usually very fast paced because of their compressed nature: if you like to have a relaxed approach to learning, they're not going to work for you.

my main problem wasn't learning the content it was the exams cause I find my adhd makes self revision really hard. The course I'm looking at is 2 days a week. Is that two days contact days and 3 revision days or is it mainly learning from teachers in person?

Reply 3

Reality Check

22

Original post

by dead4

my main problem wasn't learning the content it was the exams cause I find my adhd makes self revision really hard. The course I'm looking at is 2 days a week. Is that two days contact days and 3 revision days or is it mainly learning from teachers in person?

I would presume that '2 days a week' refers to two contact days. In that case, I'd avoid that course - you'd expect a minimum of three, and preferably four contact days. If you struggle with independent learning, then only have two contact days a week is probably not a good option for you.

Reply 4

Arden University

Official Rep

19

Original post

by dead4

I was wondering how difficult an Access to HE diploma in nursing would be compared to retaking a levels next year. Is it harder or is it easier. I know its mainly for people who have been out of education for a bit but has anyone done it after flunking a levels?

@dead4
Hello

I've taught on an Access to HE Nursing / Midwifery course for the last 10 years, there is some great advice here already so I can hopefully add a bit more.

Most providers will be fine with you doing Access if you have done some Level 3 study before (A Levels) as you can apply for an Advanced Learner Loan which covers the course, and a unique selling point for access is that it is completely written off after you complete your degree. We (at an F.E college in the north west) have learners that already have degree's and on occasions masters qualifications already.

Access is perhaps more 'difficult' than A levels as it is like 2 years squashed into one year - although technically the advanced learner loan does cover 2 years of study if you required a learner break to return the following year (this needs to be applied for during the exam board at the end of the first year).

You would likely do a program consisting of Human Biology, Health Science, and a Social Science, probably health studies although some providers do Psychology instead for those who want to do mental health nursing, but it doesn't really make any difference.

Many of my students have struggled at A levels in the past, I got an E at A.S level Psychology when I was a teenager, and many years later I have a masters degree in it, you can do it!!

I would try to do the course at an F.E college rather than an online provider, as they will likely have a tutorial system which gives advice on applying through UCAS and study skills (the latter which will be focused on with what are called development units - usually ungraded, but essential to passing the course).

Speak to the Course Co-ordinator at your local F.E College and they can give you more advice on local progression routes post Access

Marc
Arden University Student Ambassador

(edited 6 months ago)

Reply 5

HLRoberts

6

I’ve just finished an access course (health pathway) studying biology, health and psychology. I’ve got straight distinctions which gives 144 UCAS points and is equiv to AAA.

As others have said already, the volume of work is HARD, at the end we all totalled up our year long word counts and over 17 units (8 bio, 3 psych, 3 health and 3 study skills) I wrote 55,000 words combined 25,000 of those were in biology.

Yes it’s assessed differently but that doesn’t mean it’s any easier - the content though is all targeted eg. Each biology unit was on a different system of the human body with the only exception being cell biology but that was eukaryotic human cells only

Reply 6

Meganlucy2000

2

Original post

by dead4

I was wondering how difficult an Access to HE diploma in nursing would be compared to retaking a levels next year. Is it harder or is it easier. I know its mainly for people who have been out of education for a bit but has anyone done it after flunking a levels?

I’ve just completed my access course this month ,I’m not going to lie it’s a lot of hard work since it’s spread over an academic year (so 9 months ) but it’s doable. I think it’s easier than individual A levels out of 45 graded credits I got 40 at distinction and 5 at a merit . You just have to keep on top off all your assignments as you’ll have some months where you are juggling sometimes 3-4 with similar deadlines. Feel free to ask me any questions and good luck !!

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