Access to HE Diploma (Nursing)

Course overview

The course provides you with the practical skills and knowledge relevant to the profession. You will also have the opportunity to learn about the six core values required to provide high-quality care: compassion, care, courage, communication, commitment and competence.

Nursing is a very varied role and you will have the chance to gain an understanding of the different specialisms such as Adult Nursing, Learning Disabilities Nursing, Children and Young People’s Nursing and Mental Health Nursing, and the range of settings in which nurses work.

We are passionate about the difference high-quality nursing care can make to the quality of people’s lives. We want to inspire you and help you on your journey to explore your potential future career options. We want to enable you to become an outstanding nurse following successful completion of a nursing undergraduate degree, one who can provide the care and support people need, often at a very difficult time in their lives.

Access courses are designed for people who are returning to education having not formally studied for some time. You will be supported to develop study skills and habits which should enable you to successfully study nursing courses at undergraduate level upon successful completion of the course.

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. 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.

You will also examine the factors that impact on health, including economic, political and technological factors, and how the focus of healthcare provision has changed from treatment to also incorporating prevention of ill health.

You will explore the challenges faced by disadvantaged groups in accessing healthcare, the importance of mental as well as physical health and ensuring equality in healthcare provision.

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 of these skills aim to enhance your ability to study at degree level.

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.

Our timetable purposefully mirrors school timetables, avoiding Mondays and Fridays on campus, which tend to coincide with teacher training days.

Teaching contact hours

Our Access to Higher Education courses run over 36 weeks. Attendance on campus is required 9:30am – 2.30pm (including a half-hour lunch break) on a Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. You will also have the option to attend optional sessions including time with a progress coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback.

Guided and independent study

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You’ll be digging deeper into topics, review what you’ve learned and complete assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress through your studies, you’ll spend more time in independent study.

Online learning

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.

Assessment

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

• 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.

Facilities

Our purpose-built campus building is arranged around an open central atrium that includes IT suites and study spaces.

The onsite library stocks essential and recommended reading and over 115,000 eBooks. The building also includes areas for career guidance and study support services, a café, a prayer room and social areas.