Access to HE Diploma (Health and Human Sciences)

Access courses

Student in a laboratory wearing a white lab coat and carrying out an experiment with long test tubes.

The Access to Health and Human Sciences course is designed to give you the skills, knowledge and confidence to be able to start your journey to a rewarding career in Health and Life Sciences and Professional Health courses within the NHS.

Year of entry

2025-26 2026-27

Location

CU Coventry (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time

Duration

1 year full-time

Course code

CUCA001

Start date

September 2025

How to apply

Book an Open Event

Download a prospectus

The information on this page is for 2024-25 entry and should be used as guidance for 2025-26 entry. Please keep checking back on this course page to see our latest updates.

Course overview

The aim of an Access to Health and Human Sciences course is to enable you to acquire the academic and practical skills, knowledge and confidence to start a degree programme of your choice.

Studying this course could help you to fulfil your chosen career potential in the field of health and life sciences and a range of professional health courses within the NHS such as Applied Biosciences, Radiography, Physiotherapy, Nutrition, Nursing and Midwifery.
This diploma assists you in developing essential study skills in preparation for university study. You will complete modules in anatomy, physiology, nutrition, and immunity and disease.
The course has been designed with support from tutors on Coventry University’s nursing courses, with the focus on providing you with the opportunity to gain the foundation knowledge required to successfully study an undergraduate nursing degree.

Why you should study this course

Quickest route to Higher Education.
No end-of-year exams.
Mapped to match with modules taught on Applied Biosciences, Physiotherapy, Nutrition, Nursing and Midwifery degree programmes.
Open learning environment.
Student Finance England will ‘write off’ any outstanding Advanced Learner Loan balances you owe for an Access to HE course once you complete an eligible higher education course (subject to SFE requirements). For more information visit the Advanced Learner Loan website.

Accreditation and professional recognition

This course is Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) regulated.

What you'll study

You will study basic human anatomy and biology which aims to help you to gain an understanding of how the human body works, both when healthy and during illness.

Throughout the course, you should develop the ability to study independently, ask probing questions and analyse information from different sources and perspectives. You will explore how to search for information, assess the quality and legitimacy of information from various sources and develop your ability to work individually and collectively to produce academic work. All these skills aim to enhance your ability to study at degree level.

Modules

Human Tissues and Systems – 3 credits

Mental Health and Illness – 3 credits

Successful completion of this module will enable you to gain an understanding of defining normal and abnormal behaviour. You will also have the opportunity to understand the different psychological explanations for a range of mental health illnesses, along with the chance to gain further knowledge and understanding of the different approaches for treating a range of mental health illnesses.

Compulsory

Transport and Respiration – 6 credits

You will explore the major components and functions of blood in the human body and should gain an understanding of the function and structure of the heart and the role it plays in circulation. This module will also allow you to study the structure and function of the arteries, veins and capillaries and the role they play in transport. Finally, this module will allow you to examine the structure and function of the respiratory system and the transport of respiratory gases.

Compulsory

Disease and Immunity – 6 credits

Successful completion of this module will allow you to develop your understanding of pathogens and how they can cause disease. You will also gain an understanding of a variety of disease types. You should gain insight and knowledge into the defence functions of the blood and understand what is meant by the term immunity.

Compulsory

Extended Project – 6 credits

This module gives you the opportunity to demonstrate your extensive subject-specific knowledge in a specific area of your choice. You should be able to construct an argument in an extended piece of work. Finally, you will be encouraged to present your work in a form consistent with the conventions of the specific subject that includes an appropriate form of academic citations.

Compulsory

Study Skills – 15 credits

Genes and Inheritance – 3 credits

Cells – 3 credits

Nutrition, Digestion and Excretion – 6 credits

Nervous System – 3 credits

Endocrine System – 3 credits

Digestive System – 3 credits

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

How you'll learn

The access course offers an opportunity for you to study for a Level 3 Diploma. The CU model of delivery focuses on one module at a time, allowing you to focus on the in-depth content of the subject. Lectures are delivered by subject experts using a variety of methods to reinforce the concepts of the topic from traditional lectures, group work, worksheets, case studies and research activities.

Teaching contact hours

Attendance is required from Monday to Thursday from 9am - 2pm.

Additionally, you will be expected to undertake self-directed study of approximately 10 hours each week, depending on the demands of individual modules.

The contact hours may be made up of a combination of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, and online classes and tutorials.

As an innovative and enterprising institution, the university may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.

Since COVID-19, we have delivered our courses in a variety of forms, in line with public authority guidance, decisions, or orders and we will continue to adapt our delivery as appropriate. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.

Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module. Assessment methods may include:

Phase tests
Essays
Group work
Presentations
Projects
Coursework

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2024/25 entry.

Level 2 qualifications in Maths and English are preferable but not mandatory for commencing the Access course. Level 2 qualifications in Maths and English can be acquired alongside the Access course as they are a pre-requisite to progress onto universities.

GCSE maths, English and one science at grade 4 / C or Functional Skills Level 2, or other equivalent Level 2 awards.

As part of the application process, an interview and a literacy and numeracy assessment will be required so that our tutors are satisfied that you can benefit from the course and be able to cope with the future requirements of studying in higher education.

Contextual offers and Fair Access Scheme

If you meet the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme, you could automatically receive a contextual offer that may be up to 24 UCAS points lower than our standard entry requirements. View the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme.

Fees and funding

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK	£3,384	Not available

You may qualify for an Advanced Learner Loan. Visit the Advanced Learner Loan website for full information and to check your eligibility. If you are eligible and awarded an Advanced Learner Loan, and successfully complete an eligible Higher Education course, the outstanding balance from your Access course could be written off.

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For Home Students, if Parliament permits an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

For International Students, we may increase fees each year but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the government's Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.

If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.

Facilities

All our facilities are located at Mile Lane. Our building has been designed to enable collaboration, creativity and innovation to flourish, and includes (subject to availability):

Indoor and outdoor social spaces, including a café.
A library that includes loan laptops, over 115,000 eBooks and a silent study area.
Open access IT suites and 83-inch teaching screens.
Engineering lab, science lab and a moot courtroom.
Student support and careers advice teams.

Careers and opportunities

On successful completion of this course, you will obtain an Access to Higher Education Diploma, which allows you to apply for several relevant degree programmes within the Coventry University Group* and other universities. You will have knowledge of a range of health-related topics that can help you start your degree programme. You will have also gained a range of study skills that will be useful throughout your studies and future career, including research, referencing and the correct style of academic writing.

*Coventry University together with Coventry University London Campus, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the “University”) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

Further study

Successful completion of this course will guarantee you a place onto any degree programme at CU Coventry. The most suited progression is on the following degree programmes:

You could potentially obtain a place on one of the following Coventry University degree programmes subject to meeting additional entry requirements. Please see individual course web pages for more information.

How to apply

UK students

Access courses are designed for students who haven’t had the opportunity to access higher education, so formal qualifications are not mandatory. If you’re interested in an Access to HE course you’ll need to apply to us directly by completing our online application form.

Once your application form has been processed you’ll receive the outcome of your application via the email address you provided.

Apply now

If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

(+44) 024 7765 8787

cuc@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form

Disclaimers

Coventry University together with Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough, and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

¹Accreditations

The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.

²UK and international opportunities

Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or international opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be unpaid and/or subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

³Tuition fees

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

⁴Facilities

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

Student Contract

By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the current 2024/2025 contract is available on the website for information purposes however the 2025/2026 contract will apply for the 2025/2026 intake. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.

Your next steps

Student life

Accommodation

Fees and funding

Access to HE Diploma (Health and Human Sciences)

Course overview

Why you should study this course

Accreditation and professional recognition

What you'll study

Modules

How you'll learn

Teaching contact hours

Assessment

Entry requirements

Contextual offers and Fair Access Scheme

Fees and funding

Facilities

Careers and opportunities

Further study

How to apply

¹Accreditations

²UK and international opportunities

³Tuition fees

⁴Facilities

Student Contract

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