Access to Nursing (SWAP) Level 6 NQ

What is special about this course?

If you'd like to work in the health sector but lack the necessary qualifications this Access course can help get you on the right track.   

Designed for students who have been out of education for more than 3 years, the Scottish Wider Access Programme provides a gateway to nursing. This course can help you move on to university to study adult nursing, mental health nursing, learning disability nursing or child nursing.  

You will receive  a solid grounding in healthcare, as well as building confidence and self-esteem through studying with like-minded people, to prepare you for the return to education.   

Progression to University

UWS is one of the SWAP West university partners responsible for placements for Adult and Mental Health Nursing. If you choose to progress to UWS from UHI Argyll, you may be prioritised for an Argyll placement. 

Entry requirements

There are no academic entry requirements for this course but we expect you to have: 

• Experience of working in a care setting (desirable but not essential) 
• Good communication skills and a real interest in working with people 

SWAP (Scottish Wider Access Programme) entry requirements: 

• You have been out of education for at least 3 years and your highest qualification is SCQF level 5 (Standard Grade, Int 2, GCSE or equivalent)

           OR 

• You have been out of education for at least 5 years and your highest qualification is SCQF level 6 or higher (Highers, A Levels, HN or equivalent)

If you have previously studied at university, but did not complete your degree, you will not normally be eligible. However, if there are exceptional individual circumstances to consider, these could potentially allow you to be considered for a SWAP course.  More information can be found here.  

The practical elements of the course include:    

• Taking part in activities to learn about the various aspects of healthcare
• Practical days working in a clinical environment  
• Guest lecturers from a range of different care backgrounds
• Learning essential basic first aid and gaining qualifications

In the classroom environment you will:

• Learn essential IT skills  
• Learn basic numeracy skills relevant to the health and social care sector
• Develop skills for university, interviews and CV writing

You'll have the opportunity for personal development too and we'll support you to:

• Increase your confidence and self-belief
• Improve your ability to communicate effectively with patients and colleagues  
• Work collaboratively with your peers to enhance social and teamwork skills

The units you will study include:

• Basic First Aid 
• Care: Human Development and Behaviour
• Care: Social Influences
• Care: Values and Principles
• Caring for People with Dementia
• Communication (NC)
• Communication in Care Relationships 
• Health Promotion
• ICT
• Literature 1
• Mental Health Issues: An Introduction
• Numeracy
• Preparation for HE (SWAP)
• Prevention of Infection
• Safeguarding People 
• Stress and Stress Management 
• The Human Body

During the course you will take part in two practical study days, one in each semester, where you will work in a clinical environment. 

Fees

Most full-time students will automatically have their course fees paid for this course.   

If you have recently moved to, or do not normally live in Scotland, you may need to pay £5,970 in course fees, these can be paid in instalments. Families of Armed Services personnel are subject to different fees regulations and may also have to pay course fees. If you think this may apply to you, please contact us and we can advise you. 

This course is not available to students who require a Tier 4 Home Office visa to study in Scotland (international or EU). 

Part-time FE students who are on low incomes or in receipt of certain benefits may also have their course fees paid for them. Please refer to page 2 of our Fees and Funding Guide to see if you are eligible.  

Each single SQA unit costs £90. You may be able to apply for an Individual Training Account (ITA) to cover up to £200 of part time fees. 

Funding

Bursary for Living Costs 

If you are 18 years of age or over on the start date of your course, and will be studying full-time you may be eligible for bursary funding, depending on your household income. Our bursary fund is finite and is allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis so it’s important to make your application for bursary as soon as the application process opens in July. You will need to have accepted our offer before you apply. 

If you are under 18 you may be eligible for EMA. EMA is paid at a rate of £30 per week dependent on your total household income.  

Please see page 2 of our Fees and Funding Guide for full details of Bursary and EMA.  

You may also be eligible for assistance with travel and childcare, and we have discretionary funds for those students in need. You can find all the information you need in our funding pages.