Access (SCQF Level 6)

Nursing (SWAP)

This course is for those wishing to pursue a career in adult or mental health nursing.

Access (SCQF Level 6)

Nursing (SWAP)

This course is for those wishing to pursue a career in adult or mental health nursing.

Qualification

Access (SCQF Level 6)

Duration

1 year

Starts

Aug 2025

Interests

Care

Campus

Aberdeen City Campus

Why take this course?

This course offers an excellent opportunity for those who would like to pursue a career in adult, mental health and children & young people nursing through a variety of universities. You may be considering a change of career or have worked in a support worker role and now wish to gain qualifications.

Please note: this course is not suitable for school leavers or those wanting to undertake midwifery.

Use the progression finder to find out your options.

Find out more about our other SWAP courses.

What you will experience

Human Biology
Values and Principles
Social Influences
Human Development and Behaviour
Mental Health and Mental Illness
Preparation for Higher Education (HE), which will prepare you for the transition to university and will help support those returning to education
Health Promotion
Caring for People with Dementia

Key Facts

Everything you need to know before applying to this course.

Entry requirements

You do not require any formal qualifications however:

You must be able to prove you can study at this level and
If your last course of study was up to SCQF Level 5 you must have been out of full-time education for three years.
If your last course of study was at SCQF Level 6 or above you must have been out of full time education for five years.
You will also be interviewed by a member of the NESCol Care team to assess your suitability for the course.

Please note: This course is not suitable for candidates applying straight from school or those who have studied at university level before. Please see other courses we offer if this applies to you e.g. SCQF Level 5 Health & Social Care or SCQF Level 6 Advanced Healthcare.

What you will get

SQA National Units Scotland and College Units.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, we will ask you to provide evidence of your English language skills as part of the application process. For this particular course, the English language requirements are:

A C1 score is required for the College English Language test in all four disciplines (writing, reading, speaking and listening).
A minimum of 173 is required in the Cambridge English: First exam.
A score of 6.0 is required for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) in all four disciplines (writing, reading, speaking and listening).

How do I pay for this course?

If you are studying a full-time non-advanced course (below HNC level), you may be entitled to funding.

See your options here

How to apply to NESCol

You can apply for a full-time course online or using a paper form.

See more information about the application process here

Open Days

Open Days are a great way to find out more about this course and what it’s like to study at NESCol. You will see facilities, meet lecturers and get a feel for life as a student.

Our next Open Day will take place on 15 March 2025.

Do you need extra support?

NESCol can provide extra support to students who have additional support needs, including:

learning difficulties or disabilities
physical or sensory disabilities
mental health and wellbeing concerns
are care experienced or young carers

Find out more about how to access this support here

How do I cover the cost of living?

You may be eligible for additional funding to support the cost of living, including travel costs, cost of materials, and childcare.

Find out more about the types of funding and whether you are eligible here

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)

This course is a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) programme. This means that you are required to have access to your own laptop computer, netbook or similar device in class each day that you are in college.

Find out more about BYOD here

This may be funded or part-funded by a bursary, if you are eligible to receive one.

Find out more about bursaries here

Opportunities

Whether you wish to progress in your studies or enter the world of work, North East Scotland College has excellent progression opportunities, with links to several universities across Scotland and strong relationships with industry employers.

University

Successful completion of this course will allow you to apply for a wide range of degree programmes at a number of partner universities — visit the SWAP website for more information.

Employment

Employment in a health-related field.

Student Stories

Diana Barkauskyte

Care

HNC Childhood Practice

“Studying at NESCol has pushed me out of my comfort zone and has made me the person I am today. I have had great experiences and the opportunity to apply my knowledge in childcare settings, which has made my learning more meaningful.”

Victoria Grover

Care

HNC Social Services

“I would highly recommend NESCol to anyone thinking about returning to education. As a mature student, I have been supported in many ways and had a great College experience, even with the challenges I’ve faced.”

Shania Thom

Care

HNC Childhood Practice

“I would definitely recommend studying at NESCol. The College environment is welcoming, and the community is diverse with different cultures and ages.”

Kamila Kolmetz

Care

Allied Health Professions (SWAP)

“NESCol is a great place to learn, especially if you have a gap in your education. The lecturers go above and beyond to help students achieve their qualifications and dreams.”

Katie McCafferty & Mandy Mackintosh

Care

HNC Childhood Practice

“Starting College as a mature student was quite daunting at first but I can honestly say I’ve never looked back. ” – Katie McCafferty

“It was a lot of hard work but it genuinely just felt like it was where I was meant to be.” – Mandy Mackintosh

Callum Gerrie

Care

HNC Social Services

“My time at NESCol was a hugely positive experience – both in terms of my qualification and the knowledge, understanding and perspective I gained and the social connections I have made.”

Haley Robertson

Care

HNC Social Services

“I want to let people know if they are a bit scared or worried about going to college, there’s so much help and support available. It’s a really nice place to study. It will be so worthwhile – I’m so happy I did it.”

Samantha Ross

Care

PDA Childhood Practice

“It has definitely been the hardest and most challenging two years of my life but also the most rewarding in so many ways. I’ve even gained a new group of friends in my classmates – we still keep in touch after finishing the course in the summer.”

Amanda Smith

Care

PDA Childhood Practice

“To advance my career I had the choice of a PDA or to go down the degree route and I knew from the outset that my learning style was better suited to the PDA option.”

Jennifer Taylor

Care

Social Services Children and Young People, SCQF Level 7

“I started out as the lunch lady at one nursery and now I am the Manager of Peek-a-Boo nursery. I would definitely recommend an apprenticeship – I would do it again.”

Applications

North East Scotland College offers hundreds of courses each year, apply for one now.

You can apply for a place on this course by completing an online application form, which you can access using the ‘Apply Online’ button. Once completed, this will be received by our Admissions Team who will then process your application.

Aberdeen City Campus

Starts Aug 2025
Duration 1 year
Course Code C00066

Apply Online

Completed forms should be signed and returned to us at the following freepost address:

The Student Information & Admissions Manager
North East Scotland College
FREEPOST RTJJ-TXBA-AEZS
Aberdeen City Campus
Gallowgate
Aberdeen
Scotland
UK AB25 1BN

Download

If you take up a place on a College course, at the start of the course you will be asked to complete an enrolment form. In completing the form and/or taking up a place on a College course, you will enter into a contract with the College and be bound by the North East Scotland College Standard Terms and Conditions of Study. Copies of the Terms and Conditions are available for inspection on notice boards and at various locations throughout the College, at the College Reception, on the College website: nescol.ac.uk, or can be obtained on request from the Student Funding and Admissions Manager, North East Scotland College, Aberdeen City Campus, Gallowgate, Aberdeen AB25 1BN. Please note that courses are offered subject to (a) there being sufficient numbers of enrolments and (b) the availability of resources. The College reserves its right (i) not to run courses where the number of students is considered insufficient or where resources are unavailable and (ii) in certain circumstances, to refuse admission to an individual applicant.

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Qualification

Duration

Starts

Interests

Campus

Apply

Why take this course?

What you will experience

Key Facts

Entry requirements

What you will get

English language requirements

How do I pay for this course?

How to apply to NESCol

Open Days

Do you need extra support?

How do I cover the cost of living?

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)

Opportunities

University

Employment

Student Stories

Diana Barkauskyte

Care

HNC Childhood Practice

Victoria Grover

Care

HNC Social Services

Shania Thom

Care

HNC Childhood Practice

Kamila Kolmetz

Care

Allied Health Professions (SWAP)

Katie McCafferty & Mandy Mackintosh

Care

HNC Childhood Practice

Callum Gerrie

Care

HNC Social Services

Haley Robertson

Care

HNC Social Services

Samantha Ross

Care

PDA Childhood Practice

Amanda Smith

Care

PDA Childhood Practice

Jennifer Taylor

Care

Social Services Children and Young People, SCQF Level 7

Applications

Online Applications

Aberdeen City Campus

Starts Aug 2025

Duration 1 year

Course Code C00066

Paper Applications

Full-time Application Form

Full-time Application Process

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