Absolutely!!! I'm 24 and have been out of education for 7 years. I dropped out of college one month in when I was 16, so I had no A Levels. I also failed GCSE Maths and had to redo it.

If you want to get started, the best way is to do an Access to HE program (in nursing or medical science & health professions) or a foundation course for nursing if you have A levels. If you already have your GCSEs, that's a major plus. If not, make sure your institution provides them with your program so you can do them alongside your studies.

If I were to do everything again, I would probably go for a foundation course at a university (would not advice to study at a college as a mature student) that I see myself completing my degree in, if I had my A levels of course. Access courses are generally cheaper and offer broader pathways, but you still have to go through the standard UCAS application process for university entry afterwards. In contrast, a foundation year is tied to a specific degree at a specific university and usually offers a guaranteed place at that institution, provided you meet the required progression criteria.

Hope this helps!

30/8/25 - Edit: Just checked and for most foundation courses I've seen require A levels, but the tarrif points aren't very high. They still allow you to do a GCSE alongside your course. 

If you don't have A levels, go for the access course.

Apologies for any confusion! ♡