Grace works full-time in a care home and spends her spare time with her Mum and younger siblings. She enjoys helping people and she dreams of becoming a children’s nurse. Whilst working in community care, Grace found out about the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Health Professions) at Clip.  

Access to Higher Education diplomas provides an alternative route to enter university for people aged 19 and over. Often providing individuals with a pathway in higher education that they might have missed before. 

After a successful application, Grace studied hard with her tutors and she is now awaiting her results. She has plans to study further at university. Find out how Grace has achieved this as we take you through her journey. 

Away from your studies at Clip, what are your hobbies and interests?  

I work in a care home, I have previously worked in a restaurant, a fast-food chain and worked at, a holiday resort called Haven as well. I like the feeling of caring and helping people. When I’m not at work I spend time with my Mum and my siblings, I like to go out with friends too. I’m originally from Southampton, so I like to drive down there and see my family when I get a few days off. 

How did you find out about the Access to Higher Education Diploma at Clip?  

I’ve always wanted to go into nursing, I did a year at college but didn’t really enjoy it. I was working in community care and spoke with a District Nurse who said she had studied the Access to HE course at Clip, and she encouraged me to look into it. I looked online and emailed the tutor, Zoe. At the time I was 18 and I was advised that I had to wait until I was 19 to apply for the course. Zoe offered me an interview in January 2024, and I was offered a place to start in September 2024, which I happily accepted. 

What were your goals when you first started? 

I had three careers in mind, but I was unsure. My goal was to complete the course and then study at university. Early in the course I received some upsetting news in my personal life, but Jeanette (Tutor) spoke to me, listened and offered advice which helped me stay on the course. My home life was busy as I was working full-time and looking after my younger siblings, but I kept my goal in mind. 

What support have you received throughout your studies?  

I have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and I can overthink quite a lot, I find working from home is much better for me than being in a classroom. The course is set up for me to be able to study at home which allows me to go through things by myself. At least once a month I would attend in person as I agreed this with the tutors, I joined classes using a Microsoft Teams links which meant I could still be part of the lesson but in the comfort of my own space. 

The tutors weren’t worried about going back and repeating things for people that didn’t understand the content. I had the bonus that I had finished school not long ago but some of the group hadn’t studied for a while and they were given support and help. The tutors were always there when we needed them.  

I needed extensions for some assignments, which really helped as I was working full-time and moving house. The teaching team supported me through this stressful time. Since I’ve moved house, I haven’t needed an extension, but it was nice to have the option.  

My advice to anyone that has a learning disability is to still go for it because the support is there. When we’ve had assessments or exams, I’ve had the option for extra time if needed and my own space, this helped me focus and remove any distractions. Speak to the tutors about things like this when applying as the tutors can put these in place for you. 

What did you study on the course? What was most enjoyable? 

I enjoyed the maths aspect, I really enjoyed maths at school, calculating how much medication to give, what equipment to use, in one project we had to budget for starting a hospital and even pricing up the cost of chairs and spaces for rooms. 

What are you going to do now you’ve completed your diploma? 

I need to achieve 15 distinctions to study children’s nursing at Sheffield Hallam University. I’m just awaiting the official paperwork as I had 21 distinctions when I last checked. As soon as I receive the paper I will start at University. This course will allow me to work as a children’s nurse in the UK or abroad.  

What would you say to anyone unsure about thinking of studying Access to HE?  

Go for it, you’re never too old to do it. It’s a one-year course and two days a week. The tutors are so supportive and so understanding. If you want to go on a different pathway to where you’re at now, this is the course. It’s small groups you work in; it’s not a big class of 30 people, which means you get more support. 

What are your long-term goals and next steps after completion of Access to HE?  

I would love to go into children’s nursing. I want to find a good job in children’s nursing and work my way up. This depends on my placements as well though, these will help me decide what department I want to go into, whether it’s surgery, accident and emergency, or neonatal for example. I might also decide to study my Master’s.  

If you dream of studying at University and want to take charge of your future, contact info@cliplearning.com or register for our Access to Higher Education Diploma.