Level 3 Access to HE Diploma (Health & Social Care) - Evening Sept 2025-26

The Access to Higher Education (HE) Diploma is for learners aged 19+ who do not have the qualifications required to enter HE. Each year around 30,000 learners in the UK take Access programs and many go on to succeed in HE and embark on life changing new careers. The Health and Social Care Diploma can give you Access to a wide range of Healthcare and Nursing degrees.

We offer both daytime and evening courses for Health and Social Care students - ideal for those who are working and capable of fitting around your existing commitments.

During the course you will be studying 3 main subject sets: Psychology, Biology and Social Issues in Healthcare.
Some of the topics covered in Psychology are main psychological theories, lifespan development and treating disorders.
Some of the topics covered in biology are cell biology, aspects of human physiology and the reproductive system.

Health and social care play a significant role in making up the fabric of our society. Essentially, professionals in this sector are in place to provide support and assistance to the people who require it most. If you believe that you could make a difference by working in health and social care, then kick-start your career by studying for the qualifications you need.
Health and social care workers support individuals who are at risk, unwell or have specific medical needs. They support families, young people, the elderly and the seriously ill in several ways, including maintaining good physical, mental health, and independent living. With the knowledge you gain through this course, you could pursue many important roles that relate to health and social care. Support work, community development, health promotion and healthcare assistant are just a few of the options that would be available to you.

After successful completion of this course you will be able to apply through UCAS for many healthcare related degrees including Health and Social Care, Social work and many Nursing degrees.

Our entry requirements are in place to support our students in achieving the qualifications they have chosen to study. In addition to the entry requirements, all students will be regularly assessed by East Durham College at an early stage in their study programme. This is to ensure that students are enrolled onto courses which suit their abilities – following assessment, there may be occasions when students are transferred to a relevant course at a higher or lower level in order to ensure they are enrolled on to the right course for them to achieve and progress.

English GCSE grade C (4) or Functional Skills in English level 2 equivalent. We do recommend that you have the same qualification in mathematics as this can limit your choice of university place. No additional Level 2 qualifications are required but they would be beneficial.

Entry onto any course at EDC may have entry requirements in addition to exam results; this includes but is not limited to DBS checks, references, fitness to practice and at times physical requirements to be capable of achieving the practical elements of the course without assistance. Entry onto any course at East Durham College is subject to final approval from the Assistant Principal.

All units are assessed internally and include assignments, essays, reports, research projects and controlled assessments.
Further study
After successful completion of this course you may continue with further study at university in many healthcare related degrees.

September 2025

This is a classroom based course which runs for 36 weeks from September to July.