Has anyone done the Access to Higher Education?

[mountainboo]

I have recently been accepted onto this course and am really looking forward to starting in September. I would be interested to hear: what subjects you studied, the good and bad points about those subjects, how you found the tutorials, what you went on to study at uni and anything else really. TIA

[Mrs Y]

I did an Access to Healthcare last year and absolutely loved it! I had been out of education for over ten years, but soon got back into the swing of studying again.

What you will study depends on what type of Access course it is. As ours was for healthcare professions, we covered Human Biology, Psychology, Sociology, English, Maths, IT and Academic Skills.

The course is specificially designed for mature students returning to education and will prepare you well for further study. As well as easing you gradually back into studying, you will also learn essential skills for university, such as researching, referencing, essay writing and portfolio building.

The good points for me were everything! The tutors were fantastic; extremely supportive and helpful, everyone in the class was friendly and enthusiastic, and I feel totally confident and prepared for degree level study. I can't think of any bad points at all, although I know that a few of the students struggled to keep up with the workload.

My main advice would be to stay organised; don't leave things until the last minute, and start researching essays when you're given them. Build your portfolio as you go along, so you don't have to do it all at the end, and ask for help if you need it. The tutors are there to help you, so don't be afraid to seek advice if you need to.

I'm starting my Midwifery degree in six weeks and cannot wait. It's been a dream of mine for a very long time, and I can honestly say that I never would have made it if it hadn't been for the Access course. Best thing I ever did! Good luck with yours; hope you enjoy it!

[mountainboo]

Thank you very much Mrs Y. I'm looking forward to it even more now. I am doing it over two years so hopefully the workload will be manageable.

Good luck with your degree. All the best x

[luwarm]

I finished my access course in 2002. Then completed my BSC Health Studies and Sociology in 2005. The Access course was one of the best years of my life. I met some fantastic friends who I still see regularly and looked forward to going to college every day. The Degree was hard work and required a lot of dedication but if you stick at it, you will have such a sense of accomplishment it makes all the stress wothwhile. Make the most of it, those years back in education fly by!