Science A Level to study midwifery but don't know where to study it!

Jo_R_2

Hi all

I am looking to go onto a midwifery course in the next couple of years and have checked with my local uni what qualifications I need.

Basically I have been to uni previously and studied up to MA level (for various reasons I didn't end up pursuing that career.) The advisor explained all I needed now was an A Level Science subject - Biology is good, but can be generic Science, Physics, Chemistry, Human Biology etc.

So from September I am hoping to gain this qualification. However as it turns out, my local college does not offer individual A Levels, they can only be studied full-time (ie 3 A Levels) which is not what I am after. The alternative the college suggested was an Access course, through which I could gain enough relevant credits to be able to apply for my degree.

The thing is, Access courses are more for adults wanting to bridge the gap between lower level qualifications and what they need to get onto their uni course, and the college advisor I spoke to was REALLY negative about me applying, saying I'd be studying at a lower level, I'd have to bear this in mind as the other students would be coming from this level, and I might get angry and frustrated with the work as I might find it too easy...!

I see her point but we did agree that as I have previously not studied any science above GCSE level, this might balance it out... Thing is, although I'd be happy to do the course in principle if it meant I could get onto my uni course as a result, I didn't anticipate what is a full-time course, and this has childcare ramifications regarding cost and practicality at this point in time (I have a DD1 at school, DD2 about to get her funded nursery place in September, and a 14-week-old baby, and as one of a few points I hadn't anticipated studying full-time with such a young baby.)

There isn't anywhere else college-wise locally that I can ask, so the only other thing I can think of is paying for one of these online A Levels to get it done but I'm going to end up paying for it (I did assume if I got to study a single A Level at college I'd have reduced fees due to tax credits as has been the case previously.)

Any advice at all about where or how I can get this A Level would be most welcomed!

CIS

have you tried the Open University (https://www.open.ac.uk) - they do courses which are above A level in around the same time.

Oldernotwiser

I agree. Ask the university where you're planning to study whether they'll accept the OU's level 1 Introduction to Science as an altrernative entry qualification, many places accept this. Whether you do this or an A level by distance learning, you're still likely to have to pay for it yourself.

CIS

My wife got on to her nursing course on the basis of the OU courses she has done - the lecturers have told her that the OU courses are very well respected on the application forms for the course.

onlyforboards_2

Jo_R wrote: »

The thing is, Access courses are more for adults wanting to bridge the gap between lower level qualifications and what they need to get onto their uni course, and the college advisor I spoke to was REALLY negative about me applying, saying I'd be studying at a lower level, I'd have to bear this in mind as the other students would be coming from this level, and I might get angry and frustrated with the work as I might find it too easy...!

Look up "prior learning". You might be able to get credit for learning you have already achieved. Meaning you have to make up less credit meaning you need to study for fewer hours.

http://www.ucas.com/students/beforeyouapply/accred_prior_learning/

If you have to do the access course do not be put off, access is for all sorts of people and you usually find more than one person in your position.
Good luck!

Oldernotwiser

onlyforboards wrote: »

If you have to do the access course do not be put off, access is for all sorts of people and you usually find more than one person in your position.
Good luck!

I've never come across a graduate doing an Access course, much less a post graduate!

onlyforboards_2

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

I've never come across a graduate doing an Access course, much less a post graduate!

Haven't you? I don't know what your experience of access is so it is difficult to reply to that.
I have come across a lot in a similar position as the op where a specific qualification is needed for a vocational course, but then I have dealt with tens of thousands of access learners so the odds make it likely. Access is used by all kinds of people.

Oldernotwiser

onlyforboards wrote: »

Haven't you? I don't know what your experience of access is so it is difficult to reply to that.
I have come across a lot in a similar position as the op where a specific qualification is needed for a vocational course, but then I have dealt with tens of thousands of access learners so the odds make it likely. Access is used by all kinds of people.

I've been an FE Lecturer for 15 years and a Careers Adviser working with adults and based in an FE college for 10 more. The difference may be if you've worked at a college offering a Science based Access course, whereas I've worked at colleges offering the more general entry into Healthcare/Humanities type of courses.

Of course many colleges recruit students onto inappropriate courses just to keep up their numbers, whereas I've always advised people to take a more appropriate route for them, as has has the tutor at the OP's local college.

"Tens of thousands of access learners"? You must be older than me!

Jo_R_2

Quick reply as typing one-handed with baby on me!

Have checked OU, looks interesting potentially, I can't see anything on my future uni's pages about accepting OU courses as equivalent qualifications but I'll certainly find out. Would be a great way of fitting in studying.

Looked at the linky about prior learning but not sure if I could make it apply in the sense that my previous area of study was VERY far removed from any kind of science!

onlyforboards_2

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

"Tens of thousands of access learners"? You must be older than me!

Or work with a more intensive amount of access learner data than you do.

Oldernotwiser

onlyforboards wrote: »

Or work with a more intensive amount of access learner data than you do.

I've never worked with data; only people.