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Free Level 3 Access to HE Diploma in Health and Social Care Course in Lancaster

CostFREE
Duration1 year
LevelLevel 3
DeliveryClassroom based
Start16 Sep 2026
Study modeFull-time
AttendanceDaytime
Awarding bodyAscentis awarding body
Apply now →

About this course

Free Level 3 Access to HE Diploma (Health and Social Care) Course in Lancaster. Classes run at Lancaster & Morecambe College, full-time during the day. You'll need a good level of Level 2 skills, roughly equivalent to five GCSEs at grade C/4 or above, and you'll complete an initial assessment before starting. The course runs for one year and covers health, social care, and the academic skills universities expect. It includes careers learning, employability skills, and employer encounters such as guest speakers. Recognised by UK universities, this access to HE diploma qualification opens the door to degree-level study in health, nursing, social work, and related fields.

Who this course is for

This course is designed for adult learners the course will include a substantial amount of careers related learning designed to support progression to the suitable next step, this could include educational trips, employability skills and employer encounters such as guest speakers.

Entry requirements

A range of evidence may be considered when assessing the potential of an applicant to succeed on an Access Diploma e.g. their life skills, previous employment, prior achievements and professional qualifications. However, the general expectation is that a student will:

  • have good level 2 skills reflecting ability equal to 5 GCSEs at C/4 or above or any equivalent professional qualification
  • Successfully complete an initial assessment

The offer of a place will be determined by the following

What you will learn

  • You'll develop the academic writing and research skills universities expect at degree level.
  • You'll study health and social care topics that underpin degree courses in nursing, social work, and allied health.
  • You'll build employability skills through careers-focused learning and employer encounters.
  • You'll gain experience of how higher education works, preparing you for university study.
  • You'll explore the values and ethics that run through health and social care practice.
  • You'll develop critical thinking skills to analyse evidence and form reasoned arguments.

How you will learn

You'll study in the classroom full-time during the day at Lancaster & Morecambe College. Assessment is through assignments and coursework rather than formal exams, which is standard for Access to HE Diplomas. Work is marked against credit-bearing units, and you'll need to pass a set number of credits at the required grades to meet university entry conditions. The course also includes educational trips and guest speakers from relevant sectors.

What you will need to bring

The centre will provide most materials. Lancaster & Morecambe College will confirm anything else you need before you start.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Care assistant: support adults in care homes or in the community.
  • Healthcare support worker: assist clinical staff in NHS or private settings.
  • Social care worker: work with vulnerable adults or children in support roles.
  • Mental health support worker: provide day-to-day support for people with mental health needs.
  • Residential support worker: live-in or shift-based care in residential settings.
  • Domiciliary care worker: deliver personal care and support in people's own homes.

What you could study next

The main next step from an access to HE diploma qualification is a full degree. Common choices include:

  • BSc Nursing (Adult, Mental Health, or Children's) at university
  • BA or BSc Social Work, leading to a registered social worker qualification
  • BSc Midwifery or Allied Health Professions degrees
  • Foundation degrees in Health and Social Care, if you want a shorter higher education route first

Many universities accept this Ascentis Access to HE Diploma (Health and Social Care) as a direct entry qualification, sometimes with grade conditions.

Apply on lmc.ac.uk →
Apply now →

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