How to Become a Nurse in the UK: Access to Nursing Route

If you want to become a nurse in the UK and you do not have A Levels, an Access to HE Diploma can provide a recognised route into university-level nursing study. This guide explains the main routes into nursing, what universities usually ask for, and how Academy Online Learning's Access to Nursing route can support your application.

Quick answer: how do you become a nurse?

To become a registered nurse in the UK, you usually need to complete a nursing degree approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). The main undergraduate routes are adult nursing, children's nursing, mental health nursing and learning disability nursing.
If you do not already have A Levels or another suitable Level 3 qualification, an Access to HE Diploma can help you meet the academic entry requirements for nursing degrees.

The Access to Nursing route

Our Access to Nursing route is delivered through the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Health Science Professions). It is designed for adult learners preparing for nursing and other health science degrees.
The diploma includes 60 credits at Level 3, with 45 graded credits and 15 ungraded credits. Nursing applicants typically need to pay close attention to the unit mix, grade profile, GCSE or Functional Skills requirements, and any work experience expectations set by their chosen universities.

Access to Nursing vs Health Science Professions

"Access to Nursing" is the phrase many learners use when searching for a course that can help them apply for nursing degrees. The formal qualification title used by Academy Online Learning is Access to Higher Education Diploma (Health Science Professions).
This distinction matters. Your university application should use the formal diploma title, while your personal statement can explain your nursing goal and the relevant health science units you are studying. This helps admissions teams assess the exact qualification rather than relying on a broad marketing label.

Nursing degree entry requirements

Each university sets its own entry requirements. Nursing applicants are commonly asked for GCSE English and Maths at grade 4/C or above, or an accepted equivalent. Some universities ask for Science GCSE or specific Level 3 science content.
Access to HE offers may be expressed as a required number of Level 3 credits at Merit and Distinction, or as UCAS Tariff points. Because nursing is competitive, you should check several university course pages before choosing your Access route.
Read our detailed nursing degree entry requirements guide.

Choosing a nursing specialism

The four main fields of nursing are adult nursing, children's nursing, mental health nursing and learning disability nursing. You do not need to have your whole career mapped out before starting an Access course, but it helps to understand which nursing degree you want to apply for because entry requirements and experience expectations can differ.

Work experience and application evidence

Relevant care experience can strengthen a nursing application. This might include paid work, volunteering, caring responsibilities, NHS or care-sector experience, or other roles where you can show communication, empathy, reliability and professionalism.
Universities want to see that you understand the realities of nursing and can reflect on your experience. The Access course also helps you build the academic skills needed to write clearly, use evidence and prepare for university-level study.

UCAS support

Academy Online Learning supports learners through one UCAS application cycle. This can include checking your application, giving feedback on your personal statement and providing an academic reference with predicted grades if your application is linked to us.

Funding nursing study

The Access to HE course is separate from university funding. Once you progress to an eligible nursing degree, you may be able to apply for student finance and the NHS Learning Support Fund. The NHS Learning Support Fund can include a non-repayable training grant for eligible nursing students.

How Academy Online Learning can help

Our Access to Nursing route is fully online, flexible and assignment-based. You can start at different points in the year, study around existing commitments and receive support from subject specialist tutors.
View the Access to Nursing course or contact us if you want help checking whether this route matches your university plans.

Frequently asked questions

Can I become a nurse without A Levels?

Yes. Many adult learners apply to nursing degrees with an Access to HE Diploma instead of A Levels. You must still meet the specific entry requirements for each university.

Is the course fully online?

Yes. Academy Online Learning's Access to Nursing route is delivered online and assessed through assignments rather than exams.

Do I need GCSE English and Maths?

Most nursing degrees require English and Maths at GCSE grade 4/C or an accepted equivalent. Some universities accept Functional Skills Level 2, but others require GCSEs, so check carefully.

Does Access to HE guarantee a university place?

No qualification can guarantee a nursing degree place. Access to HE can help you meet academic requirements, but universities also consider your grades, personal statement, references, experience and interview performance.

Why does Academy Online Learning use Health Science Professions instead of a separate Nursing title?

The Health Science Professions diploma can support nursing progression while also covering related health science routes. It allows learners to study a relevant Access to HE qualification without creating a separate duplicate award title for the same nursing-relevant unit pathway.