Skip to main content
Nottingham College logo

Key Details

Course Area:

Access to Higher Education and Employment

Student Type:

19+ student

Course Type:

Full-time FE course

Course Introduction

If you are aged 19+ and passionate about helping people and would like to progress towards a career in social work or similar, then this could be the course for you.

You’ll learn a broad range of relevant skills through a range of psychology, sociology, law, and health and social care units, including:

  • Early Social Development
  • Psychopathologies
  • Treatment and Therapies
  • Sociology of Crime and Deviance
  • Social Work Theory and Practice
  • Inequalities in Health and Social Care
  • The law in Social Work
  • Ethics in Law

The Introduction to Access course will focus on developing study skills such as academic writing, researching, paraphrasing and referencing to help you to progress onto the Access course. There will be a focus on developing IT skills necessary to access and use the college systems and to complete assignments. You will be introduced to the subjects that you will study on the Access course, so that you can make an informed decision at the end of the four weeks on which Access course is the correct course for your future plans. Progression onto the Access course is subject to successful completion of the four-week introductory course.

Course Information

CAVA Access to Higher Education Diploma: Health and Social Care

Level 3

You must be 19 or over to apply for this course.

You’ll need 5 GSCE’s at grades 9-4 (A*-C) including English. You may study GCSE Maths and this will become part of your study programme for the duration of the year. Work experience in a relevant area is advised to support your progression to university.

Learning is assessed in a variety of methods to prepare you to study at university. This may include an extended essay, timed assessments under controlled conditions and report writing.

Choose to follow with degree-level study to equip you with the level of skill of knowledge required for a career in social work, health and social care, youth work or a related field.

You can apply for an Advanced Learner Loan to help with the costs of your Access to HE course. Loan eligibility does not depend on your income and there are no credit checks.

If you progress on to degree level study and complete a full degree, Student Finance England will ‘write off’ any outstanding Advanced Learner Loan balances you owe. This means you do not have to repay it.

Subject to eligibility you may be able to study this course for free, funded through the Adult Education Budget. Upon receipt of your application, we will assess your eligibility and advise you of your next steps.

Please note: Course funding information is accurate as of 22/02/2023 and is subject to change.

If you are an EU/EEA or Swiss National, please visit our EU Settled Status scheme page for more information.

Related Courses

Access to Higher Education: Creative Arts (19+) - Full-time

Access to Higher Education: Business (19+) including a four week introductory course - Full-time

Access to Higher Education: Creative Industries (Photography) (19+) - Full-time