Which Universities Accept Access to HE for Nursing?
Last reviewed: June 2026
Access to HE is an established route into nursing degrees for adult learners. There is, however, no single admissions policy shared by every university. Each course sets its own conditions, and these can differ between adult, children’s, mental health and learning disability nursing.
The most reliable approach is to begin with the degree course rather than a general list of universities. Read the entry requirements for the branch and year in which you hope to enrol, then ask the admissions team to clarify anything that is not stated plainly.
Before you shortlist a course
A university may accept Access to HE in principle while still attaching detailed conditions to a nursing offer. Record the following points for every course you are considering.
Diploma subject and content
Check whether the course asks for a diploma in health, nursing, science or a related subject. Look for any named biology, health science or psychology units.
Credits and grades
Note the number of Level 3 credits required at Distinction and Merit. A pass in the full diploma may not, by itself, satisfy the offer.
English and Maths
Write down the required GCSE grades and whether Functional Skills Level 2 or another equivalent is accepted. This varies considerably between providers.
Science at Level 2
Some nursing courses require GCSE Science. Others accept science studied within an Access Diploma, but this should be confirmed rather than assumed.
Tariff and course conditions
Some universities publish a UCAS Tariff offer; others specify an Access credit profile. Treat the wording on the nursing course page as the relevant offer.
Professional selection
Read the requirements for interviews, relevant experience, DBS clearance and occupational health. Academic eligibility is only one part of selection for nursing.
How to check whether a university accepts Access to HE for nursing
- Find the exact university nursing course page.
- Check the specific branch, such as adult, children’s, mental health or learning disability nursing.
- Look for “Access to HE Diploma” in the entry requirements.
- Check whether a health, science or related Access Diploma is required.
- Check the required grade profile.
- Check GCSE English and Maths requirements.
- Check whether Functional Skills Level 2 English and Maths are accepted.
- Check whether Science GCSE is required.
- Check interview, work experience, DBS and occupational health requirements.
- Email admissions if anything is unclear.
Published requirements: selected examples
The entries below illustrate the range of wording and conditions used by universities. They are not an approved or guaranteed list. Requirements may change between branches and admission cycles, so follow the source link and confirm the position with admissions before applying.
University pages reviewed June 2026.
Manchester Metropolitan University
BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing, September 2027
- Access offer
- Pass with at least 106 UCAS Tariff points.
- Level 2 qualifications
- English and Maths grade 4/C, Functional Skills Level 2 or an approved equivalent; Science grade 4/C or a listed alternative. A science-based Access Diploma can remove the separate Level 2 Science requirement.
University of Manchester
BNurs Adult Nursing, 2027 entry
- Access offer
- A QAA-recognised 60-credit diploma, with 30 Level 3 credits at Distinction and 15 at Merit; 30 Level 3 credits must be in science or health-science subjects.
- Level 2 qualifications
- Five GCSEs at grade 4/C, including English Language, Maths and Science. GCSE equivalents for English and Maths are not accepted.
Leeds Beckett University
BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing, 2026 entry
- Access offer
- Pass overall with at least 112 UCAS Tariff points.
- Level 2 qualifications
- English, Maths and Science grade 4/C or equivalent. Functional Skills Level 2 are accepted for English and Maths; Access science content may meet the Science requirement.
Sheffield Hallam University
BSc (Hons) Nursing (Adult), 2026 entry
- Access offer
- A QAA-recognised Access course in health studies, health science, social sciences or nursing, with at least 15 Level 3 credits at Merit.
- Level 2 qualifications
- The university publishes English, Maths and Science requirements with several accepted equivalents. Consult the course page for the complete list.
Birmingham City University
BSc (Hons) Nursing – Adult, 2026/27
- Access offer
- Pass 60 credits, including 45 at Level 3, on a health- or science-related pathway.
- Level 2 qualifications
- English and Maths grade 4/C. The course page states that Functional Skills Level 2 can be considered for Access applicants.
Coventry University
BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing, 2026/27
- Access offer
- A diploma in a health or science subject, including 24 Level 3 Distinction credits in health units.
- Level 2 qualifications
- English and Maths grade 4/C are stated with the Access offer. The general GCSE entry also lists Functional Skills Level 2 and other equivalents; ask admissions how this applies to your profile.
Northumbria University
BSc (Hons) Nursing Science Registered Nurse (Adult), 2026/27
- Access offer
- 96–112 Tariff points from accepted Level 3 qualifications, which may include Access to HE Diplomas.
- Level 2 qualifications
- The published entry section does not set out Access-specific GCSE or Functional Skills terms clearly. Confirm these directly with admissions.
University of Greenwich
BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing
- Access offer
- 112 UCAS Tariff points. The university accepts Access to HE and other tariff-bearing qualifications.
- Level 2 qualifications
- English Language and Maths grade 4/C; equivalent qualifications may be considered.
London South Bank University
BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing
- Access offer
- An Access to HE Diploma in Nursing or a similar subject, with 15 Distinctions and 30 Merits at Level 3, plus 15 Level 2 credits.
- Level 2 qualifications
- English and Maths grade 4/C or equivalent.
Edge Hill University
BA (Hons) Adult Nursing and Social Work
- Access offer
- 45 Level 3 credits; published example profiles include 24 Distinctions and 21 Merits, or 30 Distinctions and 15 Merits.
- Level 2 qualifications
- This is a combined nursing and social work degree. Consult the course page for its full GCSE and professional requirements.
Use UCAS to find more nursing courses
UCAS course search can help you find nursing courses by subject, location and university. Use it to build a shortlist, then click through to each university’s own course page to check the detailed entry requirements. UCAS summaries are useful, but the university course page and admissions team should be treated as the final source for detailed requirements.
Questions to ask university admissions
- Do you accept the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Health Science Professions) for this nursing degree?
- What Access to HE grade profile do I need?
- Do you require specific biology, health science or psychology units?
- Do you require GCSE English and Maths?
- Do you accept Functional Skills Level 2 English and Maths?
- Do you require Science GCSE?
- Can I apply while still studying the Access course using predicted grades?
- Are there interview, work experience, DBS or occupational health requirements?
Example email to university admissions
Subject: Access to HE Diploma entry requirements for nursing
Hello,
I am interested in applying for [course name] at [university name].
I am studying the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Health Science Professions) with Academy Online Learning. Please could you confirm whether this qualification is accepted for entry to this course?
I would also be grateful if you could confirm:
- the required Access to HE grade profile
- whether you require specific units or subject content
- your English and Maths requirements
- whether Functional Skills Level 2 is accepted
- whether Science GCSE is required
- whether I can apply while still studying using predicted grades
Thank you.
Further guidance from Academy Online Learning
Our Access to Nursing course online leads to the formal Access to Higher Education Diploma (Health Science Professions). Before choosing a route, read our guides to nursing degree entry requirements, the Access to HE UCAS points calculator, applying to university with Access to HE, and funding and financial support for nursing courses.
Check the requirements again before applying
Entry requirements can change. Always check the latest university course page and contact admissions before making a final decision about your application or course choice.