Access course

[thedaywewillremeber]

I’m thinking of starting an access course in September. I have a few questions. What’s the work load like? Do people want to make friends there or just focus on the course? I’m in my 40’s and since my children have grown up my friendship circle is very small. How many days a week is it normal and is it full days?

[thedaywewillremeber]

Thanks in advance for any responses I might get.

[RiseUpWiseUpEyesUp]

Just popping my head in because I’m also looking to do one this year!

Have you found any you like the look of? My local one is 9.15-4.15 Tuesday and Wednesday, so I imagine similar hours for others. The course leader said the age range is 19-60ish so a good variety!

[Namechange8471]

Hi there op, I competed mine this year.

I would defiantly recommended it, it has changed my life!

Like you I have only a few friends, during the course I have made 3 more lifelong friends (were also going to University together).

I did 2 days a week 9-4, yes it was hard work, a lot to do at home and quite demanding. I was working at the time, as were a few others and I spent a few nights up working late in my assignments.

I did access to humanities and social sciences, I have been accepted into uni this September to study English Literature.

I received my diploma a few weeks back, I got a merit and 4 distinctions!

Best thing I’ve ever done so far, go for it!

I’m happy to answer any questions 😊

[emmylousings]

I have taught on that course for 8 years. The workload is intese, the course is more or less equivallent to a full time job. Some students work part time (maybe 18 hours a week or so), but you can't work more than that. If you have small kids you need help with childcare and you won't have free time for hobbies etc. However, the course is very rewarding, and it gets you a uni place if you put the effort in.

[wentawaycameback]

I teach on an Access course. We put our course into three days. The course is assessed mainly on coursework with two in-class tests. The work load is fine but we do keep the students busy. We spread the deadlines throughout the year - mostly every two-three weeks. I have taught on the course for 6 years now and find one of the best things is how the students support eachother and make new friends. Good luck!

[emmylousings]

Its either 2 or 3 days a week from about 9-4pm. There are nightclass ones in some colleges and some do part time 2 year courses. You get it funded (loan from Student Finance pays the college) as long as you have not done the same qualification before., and if you finish uni, the cost of it gets wiped off your student loans account.

[Smallsteps88]

Access courses vary. They aren’t all the same. It depends on what the course is and how the college are running it. I did an engineering access course. It was 4 days a week. Not an excessive workload. But I wasn’t working otherwise so didn’t feel under pressure to squeeze it all in. Great tutor support. Really enjoyed it and made. Couple of friends. Again- it just depends on the dynamic of the class and who is in it.

[Oreocrumbs]

I did an access course last year. I chose to fast track, so the course was over 6 months, 4 days a week (9.30-3pm). The same course was available over 1 year, 2 evenings a week (5.30-9pm I believe).

On my course there was a good mix of ages and we all got along, and I do think there's a couple of the girls who I have since gone on to uni with, that will go forward as good friends.

It was 20 years 😵 since I was last in education and the access course was brilliant in therms of getting the cogs turning and preparing me for uni. For that alone I would recommend them for anyone going back into education, even if you don't need to for the qualification.

The grades I achieved on the course also allowed me to qualify as an excellence student at my uni and so I get £2000 grant which was a nice surprise!

The work load was manageable, but you can't coast through, you will have to put in the time. I found it took me a lot of time particularly in the beginning just to make my brain pull it all together! But I was working (PT) and have a child and house to run and still had time for relaxing.

[LunaHardy]

I did an access course about 13 years ago, I did access to Nursing. There was a big age range, from teens to people in their 40/50s. Had no intention of making friends but one of my now dearest friends is someone I met on the access course. The work was a mixed bag, studied various subjects at what I would say A Level standard. I really enjoyed it actually.

[thedaywewillremeber]

Thanks these are helpful replies seems like it’s been a really good option for a lot of people.

[Deathraystare]

Yeah go for it! Do something great in 2020!

[QuestionableMouse]

I didn't find the workload too bad. Iirc I had two assignments per module and they were pretty spread out.

I was one of the older one on the course but made good friends with most of the other students.

[QuestionableMouse]

Mine was two days a week, nine til five.

[thedaywewillremeber]

QuestionableMouse Do you mind me asking what the age range was like please? I’m worried I’m going to be significantly older than everyone.

[Namechange8471]

I was one of the youngest on mine op - I’m 30!
Most were 40+

[DivisionBelles]

I did mine 10 years ago. Best thing I ever did. Mine was three days a week, 9 - 3. I worked the other two days so it was pretty much like having a full time job.

I found the workload ok. From memory each module had two assignments. We had lots of help with academic writing and referencing which really helped when I went onto to a degree course.

Go for it OP!

[frustrationcentral]

I did it years ago aged 26. I was by far the youngest, the average age was probably about 50

[Janaih]

Following, I'm considering doing one with OU.

[QuestionableMouse]

@thedaywewillremeber

QuestionableMouse Do you mind me asking what the age range was like please? I’m worried I’m going to be significantly older than everyone.

Youngest was 18 because the college I attended wouldn't let under 18s do an access course. Oldest was early 40s. I was early thirties.

Don't let the age worry put you off - if anything it adds to the experience because it brings so many different points of view to the subjects.