Access to HE courses - Distance Learning & funding

fishybusiness

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.

Not true. The Access to HE course is 3 full days a week - it used to be 2 1/2 when I did it. The Access staff at my local uni told me that from this coming September it is 3 full days, and the standard of work has increased, so that rules out night classes too.

I agree with flea, in that you will have to put in a significant amount of time, both for Access and level's 4 , 5 and 6 to be successful.

Level 4 for example, could be 16 hours contact time per week, and for a while you could get away with doing little else. But.....come coursework time, you'll need much of the remaining 3 days a week, plus some evening work to get through.

We have kids, 2 at 7 yrs, and one at 6 yrs, I've just finished my degree, my partner is going in to her third year, and tbh it has been hell for the last few years. Housework gets left, garden gets little attention, kids at times have been shipped out to family so we both could get work done, it really is tough.

Are you prepared for that?

On the plus side, as flea says, making new friends, especially on the Access course where many are in the same boat, is very motivating and inspiring, and having other people around you with the same issues helps greatly.

Dunroamin

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

I think that Worcester, considering they're hardly among the most elite of universities, is being totally unreasonable expecting you to do a level 3 qualification and the diploma just to be able to get on their Foundation degree.

What are you hoping to do professionally at the end of this course because I'm sure that there must be a less cumbersome way to achieve your aims?

Are these the courses?
http://www.worcester.ac.uk/discover/nct-and-university-of-worcester-launch-new-courses-for-parenting-education.html

http://www.nct.org.uk/train-nct/our-training/foundation-degree

If it is, it would be far simpler to train to be a midwife and have a proper profession!

AmyP1985

I eventually want to become a Breastfeeding Consultant (which, personally I do class as a proper profession). I am also looking into alternative routes of achieving my goal.

I am aware of how much time I will need to study at home and I think it is achievable to do while my kids are in bed. My husband works shifts, not the standard 9 to 5 so I can study in the evenings from 7 until midnight or later if needed and still be able to spend time with my husband and not miss out on any time with my kids. I am not expecting to do a degree this way but my kids will be at school by the time I get to that stage.

I am aware it will not be easy and have thoroughly discussed it with my husband.

I really do appreciate you all taking the time to reply but all I'm really looking for is recommendations on any distance learning providers and advice on any loans or grants I could look at.

Thanks

Dunroamin

The LCGB seem to think it normal for a variety of other professions/jobs to become consultants http://www.lcgb.org/aboutus_info.html and recommend this qualification http://europe.iblce.org/ the entry requirement for which is

"Be a registered/licensed/recognized health professional in their country
or Have completed higher education in 14 indentified subjects"

So perhaps I wasn't too far off the mark with the midwife/nurse suggestion.

AmyP1985

The LCGB also accepts volunteers or staff working in mother to mother support, as long as they fill the required criteria, which is what I am trying to do. I would love to train as a midwife or nurse but shift work is not an option I can take at this stage. I want to take the options that will affect my family the least. Once I have completed an Access Course I will reconsider all my options at that time. And yes I know not all universities will accept access but the one I will most likely study with does accept it.

I should have an answer from a distance learning provider by the end of this month about some funding, so I'm crossing my fingers that comes through.

Thank you all for your replies.

flea72

I thought LLL already had this niche of the market, for those parents interested in paying for such a service

Id also say its not worth the financial outlay as this type of parental support doesnt warrant a full degree.

Personally employmentwise long term, a midwifery degree would give you more options. Its easy to change direction into HV, parental counselling, antenatal care/doula/indep midwife

I know of 2 people who were nct antenatal teachers and both eventually went on to do midwifery