Can You Study an Access to HE Nursing Diploma Online While Working?

Yes, you can study an Access to HE Diploma in Nursing online while working. At London Cactus College it’s studied online over around 9 months, so you can fit it around work and family, and your work is assessed by registered nurses. No A-Levels are required.

If you’ve always wanted to be a nurse but life got in the way, you’re in good company. Plenty of people come to nursing later, after working in care, raising a family or trying a different career first. This guide answers the questions people ask us most, in plain words, so you can decide if this route is right for you.

Can I really study it online while working?

Yes. Because the course is online, you study from home, so there’s no rushing to a classroom after a long shift. Many of our learners are care workers, parents or both, and the course is built with busy lives in mind.

The course is studied online via Microsoft Teams, with live support from your tutor. How fast you move depends on you, and you’ll need to set aside regular time for independent study each week. Not sure how much time that means for you? Ask us and we’ll help you plan it.

A few simple ways to make it work:

• Pick two or three regular study slots a week, like a quiet evening or your day off.
• Tell your family and your manager early, so they can cheer you on.
• Start with the smaller tasks to build your confidence, then take on the bigger ones.

How long does the diploma take?

Around 9 months. That’s less than a year to go from “I’d love to be a nurse” to “I’m ready to apply for my nursing degree.”

Think of it as the first step on the road. A nursing degree itself usually takes about three years full-time, so the diploma is your running start, not a detour.

Our main enrolment period is September to October, and the course runs through to July. You’ll apply to university through UCAS while you study, so you’re ready to start your degree after you finish. The exact time depends on your pace and progress, so get in touch and we’ll tell you the next available start.

Do I need A-Levels to become a nurse this way?

No. The Access to HE Diploma is made for adults who didn’t take the usual route to university. Maybe you left school early, didn’t get the A-Level grades you hoped for, or have simply been busy working for years. That’s exactly who it’s for.

Here’s what you’ll need to get started:

• You’re 19 or over (this is also the age rule for an Advanced Learner Loan).
• You’d like to study nursing at university.

A quick note on GCSEs: you don’t need them to start the diploma. However, most nursing degrees ask for GCSE English and maths at grade 4 (C) or above, or Functional Skills Level 2. If you don’t have these yet, we can advise you on how to get them alongside your diploma.

What will I actually study?

Access to HE nursing courses usually mix two things: study skills (like writing assignments and finding reliable sources) and health-related subjects that prepare you for a nursing degree. The aim is to leave you feeling ready, not just qualified.

The diploma is worth 60 credits: 45 graded credits and 15 ungraded credits that support study skills, research and numeracy. The core graded units are:

• Human Anatomy and Physiology
• Homeostasis
• Human Reproduction and Health Related Issues
• Introduction to Biology: Cells and Tissues
• Research Skills for Health or Care

Depending on your pathway, you may also study topics like psychology for health and care, mental health and illness, and safeguarding. Each graded credit is marked Pass, Merit or Distinction, and universities look at these grades. Together they can be worth up to 144 UCAS points. The diploma is awarded through Gateway Qualifications.

Who marks my work? Meet Berthine

This is one of the things we’re proudest of. Your work is assessed by registered nurses, people who know the job from the inside, so your feedback comes from someone who has actually done it. One of them is Berthine.

Berthine is both a registered nurse and one of our assessors, so she knows what nursing really asks of you.

“If you’re nervous about going back to study, that’s completely normal. You don’t need to be perfect, you just need to start. As a registered nurse, I know what nursing asks of you, and as your assessor I want to help you show what you know. Ask questions, use the support around you, and take it one unit at a time. You can do this.”
Berthine, registered nurse and assessor, London Cactus College

Here’s how support works. Every learner gets 1:1 personal tutor support, with feedback on your work and guidance on planning your next steps. Your work is assessed through tasks such as essays, reports, case studies, presentations and reflective journals. We can also help you with your Advanced Learner Loan application.

Is an Access to HE nursing diploma hard?

It’s a real qualification, so it takes effort. You’ll write assignments, read around your subject and meet deadlines. But it’s built for people who haven’t studied for years, and most learners find the hardest part is the first few weeks, not the whole course.

It’s likely a good fit if you:

• Want to become a nurse and are ready to put in regular study time
• Are happy working on your own, with support when you need it
• Like the idea of fitting study around work and family

It may be tougher if you can’t set aside any regular study time. If that’s you, just talk to us first, because there may be a better time to start.

How is the diploma paid for?

Many learners use an Advanced Learner Loan, subject to eligibility, so you don’t need to find the course fees upfront. A few things worth knowing:

• You only start repaying once your income is above the repayment threshold.
• If you finish the Access to HE Diploma and then complete an eligible higher education course, any outstanding balance on your Access loan can be written off.
• You can only use an Advanced Learner Loan for an Access to HE course once.

The rules and repayment figures change from time to time, so read our step-by-step Advanced Learner Loan guide and check GOV.UK before you apply.

What happens after the diploma?

Once you’ve finished, you apply to university through UCAS, just like other students. Each university sets its own entry rules, so always check that your chosen nursing course accepts the Access to HE Diploma. Our guides on UCAS points for the Access to HE Nursing Diploma and what you can do after an Access to HE Nursing Diploma can help.

A nursing degree is a big step, but you’d be taking it with a qualification behind you and people who believe you can do it.

Ready to take the first step?

If you’d like to know whether the Access to HE Diploma in Nursing is right for you, get in touch and we’ll talk it through, check your eligibility and answer anything you’re unsure about. Enquire or apply here, email info@mycccollege.com or call 020 8381 1813.