Access to HE Courses

benjismum

Hi all, just want to ask a question about the Access to Higher Education courses available at my local college.

I dropped out of school at 13 as I was bullied, had a nervous breakdown and ended up having just four hours a week home tuition (provided by the council). I didn't do any GCSEs as I didn't feel confident enough with having such little education. Now, at the grand old age of 28, I finally feel confident enough to go into a school situation and try to recover some of my lost education.

I'm interested in the Access courses, but I am wondering if I should start with the Pre-Access course or go straight to the Access to HE one. I'm pretty good at English but maths scares me! I'm interested in psychology, history and sociology to name a few but not necessarily looking for a career, I just want to learn and fill in some time (bored housewife!) :rotfl:

Any thoughts would be appreciated

alwaysonthego_2

benjismum wrote: »

Hi all, just want to ask a question about the Access to Higher Education courses available at my local college.

I dropped out of school at 13 as I was bullied, had a nervous breakdown and ended up having just four hours a week home tuition (provided by the council). I didn't do any GCSEs as I didn't feel confident enough with having such little education. Now, at the grand old age of 28, I finally feel confident enough to go into a school situation and try to recover some of my lost education.

I'm interested in the Access courses, but I am wondering if I should start with the Pre-Access course or go straight to the Access to HE one. I'm pretty good at English but maths scares me! I'm interested in psychology, history and sociology to name a few but not necessarily looking for a career, I just want to learn and fill in some time (bored housewife!) :rotfl:

Any thoughts would be appreciated

The access course is a level 3 course, however the maths and IT module is a level 2 [GCSE level]. You do get a literacy and numeracy test before you start the course to determine whether you need further support. If you feel capable of starting the Access then you should do otherwise you are wasting valuable time.

I am useless at maths but had to take a GCSE maths course at the same as my Access course as it was a requirement for me to do the university course that I wanted to do. Also I had to get a GCSE in English.

However it is worth noting that if you do Psychology at uni level then you will need to have a some knowledge of Maths especially stats

Indie_Kid

Unlike A Levels, you don't need any previous qualifications to study. Many of the people who were in my group, had been working in unrelated jobs and had left school before I was born.

mummyroysof3

have you tried the open university?, i have applied to do an openings course starting in september, i got 2 gcse when i was 15, im 28 now and a stay at home mum with 3 children aged 5 and under. i found the website very easy to understand and ordered some info and spoke to a lady on the phone who was very helpful and encoraging.

hth and good luck
charlotte

Oldernotwiser

Access courses can be very intense, particularly if you need to take English and Maths GCSEs at the same time. I'd discuss your situation with the college tutors and be prepared to take their advice as they want the same as you do - a successful outcome.

Personally, I think you'd be better to look at doing a pre Access course first to prepare you better for study and help you to build your confidence.

Indie_Kid

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Access courses can be very intense, particularly if you need to take English and Maths GCSEs at the same time.

I don't know if this is true everywhere, but I had to do Maths & English modules as part of my access course.

alwaysonthego_2

sh1305 wrote: »

I don't know if this is true everywhere, but I had to do Maths & English modules as part of my access course.

....... but these are not considered to be the same standard as GCSEs. I did the access course but had to do the GCSEs in English and Maths so that I could get on my university course. I am starting a MA in social work in September who require me to have Maths and English GCSEs.

Oldernotwiser

sh1305 wrote: »

I don't know if this is true everywhere, but I had to do Maths & English modules as part of my access course.

Sometimes they're included, sometimes they're separate. Some careers , as AOTG says, specifically require the GCSE.

divastrop

I have recently completed an Access course and some of the other students had to do Maths and/or English GCSE alongside it. It was compulsory as part of the course if you didn't already have grade A-C in these subjects. I agree the Access course is very intense and I must say I didn't envy those who were doing their GCSE as well.

alwaysonthego_2

divastrop wrote: »

I have recently completed an Access course and some of the other students had to do Maths and/or English GCSE alongside it. It was compulsory as part of the course if you didn't already have grade A-C in these subjects. I agree the Access course is very intense and I must say I didn't envy those who were doing their GCSE as well.

University is easier than an access course in relation to your workload. Well done for completing your access course and good luck for uni x

benjismum

Hi, many thanks for all the replies!

There seems to be a lot of different opinions on the Access course. Some people say it's very hard, lots of work, etc. while others say it's a breeze. After a lot of research and thought I've decided for this year I'm going to take a free, year-long Skills for Life course in English and Maths, which gives a qualification equivilent to GCSE A-C grade. Hopefully that would mean I will not have to take the extra classes when I go for the Access course next year!

Another factor in my decision is wanting to learn to drive, this would also make it easier to get to classes at college. The free course I'm going to do this year is within walking distance and will only be for 2-4 hours a week, leaving me with plenty of time for driving lessons.

I'm relieved to have finally made a decision! I've got a plan now for the next few years of my life:

From Sept 2010 - English & Maths Skills for Life courses and driving lessons
From Sept 2011 - Access to Higher Education (possibly the two year part-time course)
From then who knows, maybe a degree in psychology! But to be honest, I'd just be glad to get back some of the education I missed out on.

Thanks again