Access to HE courses - Distance Learning & funding

AmyP1985

Hi,

I need to complete an Access Course in order to do the diploma and degree that is of interest to me. I am a stay at home mom with two young boys (aged 3 and 1) so I need to find a course that I can do from home in the evenings.

I can not afford to do the course without funding, however I can't seem to find a course that offers distance learning that is also eligible for the 24+ access loan. Does anyone know of any that match this criteria? Or can anyone recommend any grants or loans that may be accepted for the Distance Learning Centre?

My husband works full time and I know his earnings affect my chance of getting some grants / loans as he earns over £25k.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thank you.

Amy

zagubov

AmyP1985 wrote: »

Hi,

I need to complete an Access Course in order to do the diploma and degree that is of interest to me. I am a stay at home mom with two young boys (aged 3 and 1) so I need to find a course that I can do from home in the evenings.

I can not afford to do the course without funding, however I can't seem to find a course that offers distance learning that is also eligible for the 24+ access loan. Does anyone know of any that match this criteria? Or can anyone recommend any grants or loans that may be accepted for the Distance Learning Centre?

My husband works full time and I know his earnings affect my chance of getting some grants / loans as he earns over £25k.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thank you.

Amy

Hi Amy.

That's quite a niche question. Have you tried contacting the Distance Learning Centre directly, the National Extension College, or perhaps even the Open University to find out what they know about funding?
Maybe the adult arm of Connexions might be able to help as well.
Good luck!

AmyP1985

Thank you for your reply Zagubov. I tried Open University but their courses aren't suitable and no funding would be available to me. The National Extension College have no suitable courses. I am currently awaiting a reply from the Distance Learning Centre. I will try contacting Connexions, thank you.

flea72

Some colleges do the access course p/t in the evenings

Or maybe you need to wait until your kids are in school/nursery before you can start the course as then you will be free to study during the day

As for funding, i thought the access course gave you automatic entitlement to the loan

AmyP1985

Thanks for the reply Flea. None of the colleges near me do an Access Course in the evenings. As you say, I may have to just wait until my boys are at school but that is very frustrating as I could use the next 3 years to study when my boys are in bed if only I could get the funding! And I would then be qualified by the time my youngest starts school and ready to earn part time and ready to start my degree.

Dunroamin

What degree/diploma do you want to do?

Unless you already have a degree, funding would be available to you through the OU by way of Student Loans and you wouldn't need to do an Access course.

AmyP1985

Thanks for your reply but the courses I want to do are only run by the university of Worcester (in partnership with the NCT). They have said I require a level 3 qualification and an Access Course seems the best option.

moonquack78

Probably finding a local college that offers the access course might be a good idea, it might just be a couple of hours a week.

flea72

AmyP1985 wrote: »

Thanks for the reply Flea. None of the colleges near me do an Access Course in the evenings. As you say, I may have to just wait until my boys are at school but that is very frustrating as I could use the next 3 years to study when my boys are in bed if only I could get the funding! And I would then be qualified by the time my youngest starts school and ready to earn part time and ready to start my degree.

The college where i did my access course had a nursery that was run alongside their childcare/early years courses, so students coukd get hands-on training. If you were a student at the college you got very cheap/free childcare. Might also be an option at your college

You could do A levels at evening school or just self teach and then take exams as private candidate at local school/college.

Also access courses specialise in differen subjects. You will need to find outfrom the uni which subjects they prefer and which level/quantity of credits youll need. Speaking to some colleagues recently within healthcare profession, they are starting to discredit Access in favour of A levels only, as they say students coming through Access arent up to expected standard

The nct courses start with CoHE, so a low level entry. The foundation degree that followed, would be similar to Access in that it is a non A level route into uni. Has the uni said you need Access rather than doing their foundation degree?

AmyP1985

They have told me that I need a level 3 qualification in order to apply for their diploma and I need to complete the diploma to apply for their foundation degree.

I wouldn't consider putting my boys in a nursery while I study, my main priority is spending time with them, I am only thinking of studying while they are asleep at night.

Thanks for replying again

flea72

AmyP1985 wrote: »

They have told me that I need a level 3 qualification in order to apply for their diploma and I need to complete the diploma to apply for their foundation degree.

I wouldn't consider putting my boys in a nursery while I study, my main priority is spending time with them, I am only thinking of studying while they are asleep at night.

Thanks for replying again

Tbh its not possible to study for the qualifications you want, without giving up time with your kids, so this isnt feasible until they go to school then. Unless you and OH accept that every evening and every weekend, you are invisible within the house and he has sole responsibility for looking after the kids and keeping them quiet

With the access course, you are expected to self study for double the amount of contact hours. So if your lessons are for 12hrs a week, then you need to do 24hrs on your own. Personally, i would find the OU hard, as its takes immense self discipline to put in all the required study, and you dont get the social side of actually going to lessons. I think the friends i made on the access course, really helped me get through the whole returning to study thing later in life (also helps when you arent the only one who doesnt get what the lesson is about lol)

Im surprised at the requirement for level 3 to get on the course CoHE, let alone the foundation. The whole point of foundation level is to prep people for uni and give them the qualifications they need to get onto a full course, so to say you need A level equiv, just seems wrong