Access to Higher Education

If you are interested in progressing to higher education, Gloucestershire College has the right course for you. Our Access to Higher Education Diploma course is specifically designed for mature students who want to go to university. It provides a “second chance” for students who, for a variety of reasons, did not benefit fully from previous experiences of education. Once the course is successfully completed, your achievement is valid for three years so you have the option of applying to university or delaying your application to allow you to gain relevant work experience for your degree. Gloucestershire College offers four different pathways for you to follow on your Access to Higher Education Diploma; your choice will depend upon your proposed future plans for higher education and employment. The four options are: The COMBINED STUDIES pathway is for you if you are interested in studying a wide range of subjects. You may want to study History, English or Creative Writing, Geography, Journalism, Psychology or Sociology (as well as many other options) at university. The course offers students a range of study choices. You will choose three main subjects from Psychology, Sociology, Geography, History, Literary Studies, Chemistry, Physics and Biology (depending on your higher education pathway). The EDUCATION pathway is for you if you are interested in teaching in a primary or secondary school. You may want to specialise in History, Geography, Maths, English or Science at university. The course offers students a range of study options. You will choose three main subjects from Geography, History, Literary Studies, Chemistry, Physics and Biology, Psychology, Sociology and Higher Maths. The HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE pathway is ideal for you if you are interested in studying Nursing, Midwifery, Physiotherapy, Social Care, or Social Work at university. You will take three main subjects: Psychology, Sociology and Biology. The SCIENCE pathway is ideal for you if you want to study a science based course at degree level, such as Environmental Science, Biological Science, Forensic Science, Chemistry, or Animal Science. The course offers students a range of study options. You will choose three main subjects from Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Higher Mathematics and Psychology (depending on your higher education pathway). Whichever pathway you choose, you will get the opportunity to take part in research projects and perhaps organise a work placement in a relevant field (essential for progression to nursing, midwifery, social work and teaching degrees). Upon completion of the course in July, all students will be equipped with the necessary study skills for study in Higher Education as well as gaining qualifications in General Science, Maths and English Language GCSE equivalence. An important element of the course is tutorial support and help and guidance with the UCAS process for university applications. All 4 pathways are offered over our Cheltenham/Gloucester campuses (some science subjects only delivered in Cheltenham) while the Health & Social Care pathway is also offered at our Royal Forest of Dean Campus. Assessment is continuous over the year and usually occurs at the end of each unit (about six weeks of study). Students will also have the opportunity to experience exam conditions in preparation for university. FAST TRACK TO ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION If you and our tutors think the pace and level of learning on Access to HE might be a bit too challenging you might want to consider the Fast Track to Access course which will give you a year to develop your confidence and skills so that you can take up the main course at the start of the next academic year. You will follow Work Skills units which are a great way of building and understanding both personal learning styles and team activities. In order to complete either of the above courses in the one year allocated you will be required to attend college classes for up to 16 hours a week and undertake a similar amount of time of home study. College classes usually begin at 9.30 am and end at 3.00 pm to fit in with school times.

The 4 pathways on Level 3 Access to Higher Education meet course eligibility requirements for a 24+ Advanced Learning Loan. See college website for more details: http://www.gloscol.ac.uk/Zenntrix.aspx?a_id=7081

No formal qualifications are required. Applicants need to be motivated and aware of the financial and social implications of returning to study. Prospective students are invited to an information session which includes the following: background, aims and outline of the course; college facilities and support for disabilities and special needs; financial and social implications of study; advice about pre-course preparation and guidance and the application process. Students must show potential to study at Level 3 (equivalent of A Level) and above. This will be discussed at interview. The time of your interview can be arranged when you attend the information session. The course is not designed for students seeking an alternative route into higher education having recently studied A Levels, GCSE's or a similar course. It is recommended that students have at least one year out of formal education before applying. English at level 2 (the same level as GCSE grade C) is recommended. If your main language is other than English you are advised to have ESOL level 2 or an equivalent such as IELTS. Maths at level 1 is recommended. At the end of the first 6 weeks you will review your progress with your tutors to ensure you are on the right programme. You will either be able to continue on the Access course or will be advised to attend an alternative programme such as Fast Track to Access to HE. Fast Track To join this course you need to have a minimum of level 1 English (grade D-G at GCSE) and entry level 3 maths (the level before GCSE). It is likely that you will have been out of full time education for at least one year. You will need to have a positive outlook to study and learning, with a determination to succeed. This course is aimed at learners who do not have a full level 2 qualification. Not quite ready for Access to HE; then take a look at our Return to Learning course.

On completion of the one year Access to Higher Education Diploma programme you can progress to a wide range of higher education courses including HNDs, Foundation degrees, degrees (BA, BSc), and nursing qualifications. All the pathways, with the exception of the Combined Studies pathway, have been designed as a route into a Foundation Degree at Gloucestershire College. Students from our Access course have gone on to study at universities throughout the UK and abroad. Fast track to Access Many of our students who study Fast Track find that the course is the perfect springboard to get them ready to take on the full Access to Higher Education course. Others, with their new found confidence and fresh approach to their future, pursue a range of vocational careers without going on to university.

Gloucestershire College students achieved a fantastic 83% success rate in 2012 which is 15% above the national benchmark.

Laura Graham was an Access student on the Education pathway during 2008/2009 - she was in her late 20s when she started the course - she passed with flying colours and went on to the University of Gloucestershire to complete a B.Ed. (Primary Education). She achieved a First Class Honours Degree awarded in July 2012. ' Completing the Access course provided me with the skills I needed to meet the challenges of a degree course.' Laura Graham B.Ed. (Hons) First Class. Debbie Taylor started Access to HE in September 2011 at the age of 41. She had brought up her family and felt that it was the right time for her to pursue her dreams. Debbie passed the course with flying colours and was offered two places to study Midwifery - one at Worcester and one at UWE Bristol. Debbie chose to study at Worcester and recently said that she loves her first year of university. "Just wanted to say what a great day it was last Thursday (awards ceremony) and really was amazing to see how far so many had come and what they had achieved. ...Thanks again for all your help throughout the year, you were right the year flew by!" Debbie Taylor

Please contact the College on 0845 155 2020 for further details