How do universities and colleges view the QAA-recognised Access to HE qualification?

Most universities and colleges accept the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA)-recognised Access to Higher Education qualification as equivalent to other Level 3 qualifications. Indeed, some have policies to encourage applications from Access to HE students, who are often valued for their maturity and willingness to contribute to discussion.

Some higher education courses may require GCSE grade C or equivalent in English, mathematics and/or science. It is a requirement of the QAA Recognition Scheme for Access to HE that, "where an Access to HE programme is intended to lead to further study for a professional qualification, students are made aware of, and given the opportunity to meet, the entry requirements of the professional body concerned". In order to meet this requirement, many Access to HE courses offer "GCSE-equivalent" courses either within, or alongside, the Access to HE course. For further information on GCSE-equivalence, please visit the Access to HE website.

Each university and college sets its own criteria for nursing and midwifery courses, so there are no national minimum entry requirements. However, their own criteria for diploma courses is generally 5 GCSEs or equivalent at grade C or above - including English and a science subject. For degree courses, the same criteria applies, plus two A levels or equivalent.

For further information, please visit the NHS Careers website.

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