These courses are for people over the age of 19 who are interested in taking on an undergraduate degree programme, who do not already have the required qualifications.
The Access to Higher Education Diploma is a one-year Level 3 qualification designed for adults aged 19 and over who want to go to university but do not have the qualifications needed to apply for a degree.
At North Kent Colleges Group, our Access to Nursing and Healthcare Professions course prepares you for progression into higher education and careers within the healthcare sector.
If you do not already have GCSE English and/or Maths at Grade 4 (C) or above, you may also be able to study these alongside your course at no additional cost (available at NKC Dartford College only).
Many healthcare degree courses require relevant work experience, so we encourage students to gain paid or voluntary experience in a health or care setting while studying.
Apply in September and you could be ready to start university the following academic year.
On successful completion, you'll achieve an Access to Higher Education Diploma, a nationally recognised Level 3 qualification accepted by universities across the UK.
Depending on your existing qualifications, you may also have the opportunity to achieve GCSE English and/or GCSE Maths alongside your course.
An Access to Higher Education Diploma opens the door to university study and can help you progress into a wide range of careers.
Many students continue onto undergraduate degrees at North Kent Colleges Group or universities across the UK.
If you're planning a career in healthcare, nursing or a related profession, an Access course provides an excellent foundation before starting a degree.
Explore our Higher Education courses to continue your learning journey.
Course Fees
If you're aged 19 to 23 and already have a full Level 3 qualification, or you're aged 24 or over, the fees are a £3,300 tuition fee and a £185 registration fee.
Fee Funding for Students
Government funding is available for students aged 19 to 23 (as of 31 August) who do not already hold a full Level 3 qualification*. If you're eligible, you won't pay any tuition or registration fees.
Advanced Learner Loans
Advanced Learner Loans are available for all of our Access to Higher Education courses.
The loan covers your tuition fees (but not the registration fee), and you only begin repaying it once your income reaches the Government repayment threshold.
Even better, if you successfully complete your Access course and progress directly to a university degree, your Advanced Learner Loan is written off.
Students who receive an Advanced Learner Loan and have a household income below £21,000 may be eligible for additional financial support through the College bursary scheme.
Support may include:
Students under the age of 20 may also be eligible for the Government's Care to Learn childcare scheme.
To find out more about student financial support, visit our Student Financial Support Page
There are no formal academic entry requirements for our Access to Higher Education courses.
All applicants will:
These assessments help us ensure you receive the support needed to succeed.