Which Universities Accept Access to HE for Nursing?
Last reviewed: September 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 September 2026. The examples below use published requirements for 2027 entry.
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.
University of Leeds
Nursing (Adult) BSc, September 2027
- Access offer
- A diploma in Health and Social Care, Nursing and Midwifery, or Science, with 24 Level 3 credits at Distinction, 15 at Merit and 6 at Pass. The diploma must include 12 Level 3 science credits.
- Level 2 qualifications
- English and Maths grade 4/C. Functional Skills Level 2 Maths and English at Pass are accepted as equivalents.
Sheffield Hallam University
BSc (Hons) Nursing (Adult), September 2027
- Access offer
- A QAA-recognised Access to HE Diploma in health studies, health science, social sciences or nursing, with at least 15 Level 3 credits at Merit.
- Level 2 qualifications
- English and Science grade 4/C and Maths grade 4/D, or one of the listed equivalents. Science credits within an Access Diploma may meet the Science condition.
Birmingham City University
BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing, 2027/28 entry
- Access offer
- 112 UCAS Tariff points and a pass in 60 credits, including 45 at Level 3, on a health- or science-related pathway.
- Level 2 qualifications
- English and Maths grade 4/C. Functional Skills Level 2 Maths and English may be considered for applicants taking an Access course.
Coventry University
BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing, 2027/28 entry
- Access offer
- A diploma in a health or science subject, including 24 Level 3 credits at Distinction in health units.
- Level 2 qualifications
- English and Maths grade 4/C are stated with the Access offer. The course also lists Functional Skills Level 2 and other Level 2 awards among its GCSE equivalents.
Northumbria University
BSc (Hons) Nursing Science Registered Nurse (Adult), September 2027
- Access offer
- 96–112 UCAS Tariff points from accepted Level 3 qualifications, including Access to HE Diplomas. The page does not publish a separate Access credit profile or subject condition.
- Level 2 qualifications
- English Language and Maths grade 4/C or equivalent. The course page does not name Functional Skills, so applicants relying on them should confirm acceptance.
University of Greenwich
BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing, 2027/28 entry
- Access offer
- 112 UCAS Tariff points. The university accepts Access to HE and other tariff-bearing qualifications, but does not publish a separate Access credit profile on this page.
- Level 2 qualifications
- English Language and Maths grade 4/C; equivalent qualifications may be considered.
London South Bank University
BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing, 2027 entry
- Access offer
- An Access to HE Diploma in Nursing or a similar subject, with 15 Level 3 credits at Distinction, 30 at Merit and 15 Level 2 credits.
- Level 2 qualifications
- English and Maths grade 4/C or equivalent. The course page does not name Functional Skills.
Edge Hill University
BSc (Hons) Nursing (Adult), September 2027
- Access offer
- 45 Level 3 credits. Published example profiles are 9 Distinctions and 36 Merits, or 15 Distinctions and 30 Merits.
- Level 2 qualifications
- English Language and Maths grade 4/C or equivalent. The course page does not name Functional Skills.
University of Salford
BSc (Hons) Nursing/RN Adult, September 2027
- Access offer
- 104 UCAS Tariff points; health and social care-related subjects are preferred. The university notes that the programme is under review for 2027 entry.
- Level 2 qualifications
- English Language and Maths grade 4/C or equivalent. Functional Skills Level 2 Maths may be considered; the page does not give the same assurance for English.
Find more nursing courses with UCAS
The universities above are selected examples, not a complete list of those that may accept Access to HE. Use UCAS to find more nursing courses by subject, location and university, then check each university’s own course page for the detailed entry requirements.
Questions to ask university admissions
Read the entry requirements for the exact nursing course and year of entry before contacting admissions. There is no need to ask them to repeat information that is already published. Instead, make a note of anything that is missing, ambiguous or difficult to apply to your own qualification, then tailor your message to those points.
For example, the following questions may be useful where the course page does not provide a clear answer:
- Do you accept the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Health Science Professions) for this nursing degree?
- Does my planned combination of biology, health science and psychology units meet your subject requirements?
- Your course page asks for [published grade profile]. Is this expressed as credits or UCAS Tariff points for Access applicants?
- Your page lists GCSE English and Maths or equivalent. Do you accept Functional Skills Level 2 for this course?
- Does science studied within my Access Diploma meet your science requirement, or do I also need a separate Science GCSE?
- My Access units will be entered as pending on UCAS. Do you need details of the unit grades I have achieved so far?
- Could you clarify the interview, experience, DBS or occupational health requirement described on the course page?
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. I have read the published entry requirements, but I would be grateful if you could clarify the following points:
- [add only the questions that the course page does not answer]
- [include your planned units or Level 2 qualifications where relevant]
I am currently studying the diploma and will enter my unit grades as pending on UCAS. If you require the grades I have achieved so far, please let me know.
Thank you.
Further guidance from Academy Online Learning
Our online Access to HE route for nursing 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 for nursing with Access to HE, and funding and financial support for nursing courses.
If you are considering learning disability nursing, use our learning disability nursing degree route to review branch-specific preparation and checks.
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.