Has anyone here studies an Access Course

[TravellingSpoon]

And if so, how did you find it, and did it get you into University?

Yes but back in 2008 so probably changed alot by now however loved it and got in to uni.

I did one a few years ago. From an educational point... it was ok other than my college being shit. I found women in their 30s are just as nasty as girls in their teens so socially I hated it.
I didn't get into uni, but most people did. That was a confidence and lack if experience issue though. I actually got some of the highest grades from my cohort.

Obviously depending on what course you're looking at, but frankly unis will be gagging for students by 2021.

I am a HCP where you need a degree. If I'm honest I have been a little shocked at what cobbled together NVQs and 'English' and 'Maths' functional skills, and yes, access courses have 'allowed' people into the degree course (none have yet graduated).

We needed 3 A levels inc a science at B. At least one I know of hasn't got Eng or Maths GCSE.

But that is by the by.

I think if you pass the access course, you'll get in.

@Miljea we couldn't even get on the access course without GCSE maths and English. Or those who didnt have it had to do the gcse alongside the access course.

Not me but my DD did and yes, she got into uni. She is now a qualified teacher.

DD did access to nursing. She got a place to study Adult Nursing at Manchester University and graduates very soo . She did it because she took arts A levels at college instead of sciences. You would still need a good maths gcse though

Soon!

We deliver access in my college - it's bloody hard and it's well recognized and valued by universities. Definitely gets you into uni - but choose your modules carefully.

Not personally, but my Mum did as a mature student and went on to do a degree and a masters.

I did, in 2015. I'm just graduating with a good degree in a field I'm interested in and it also led to a job that I absolutely love. I found the access course really set me up for uni (uni was nowhere near as intense as the access course) and the college I went to were incredibly supportive.

I second the point about women in their 30s, it felt exactly like high school at some points. I just ignored it, I wasn't there to make friends. Just as well, because I didn't!!

I was going to do one but in the end I did a foundation year in university then went on to my degree course.

I did one in 2006-7. Mine was in social sciences.

I needed GCSEs to get in so you can't be completely unqualified. I sailed through my course and then went on to do a degree.

We couldn't even get on the access course without GCSE maths and English. Or those who didnt have it had to do the gcse alongside the access course.
I work in education and have always known this to be the case as well.

Yes I have. It was in 2006 though, so quite a long time ago.

2015. Social sciences. Very easy.

Yes, I did one in 2004 and went to uni in 2006. I've been a nurse for 11 years now. I really rate them!

Hi op I’ve just completed mine!
I did access to humanities and social sciences.
It was hard work, although I already had good GCSEs from school (15 years ago!).
I didn’t need to do any other courses first, just straight into it.
I’ve made some lovely friends.
A lot of people stopped out in the first few weeks, as although I was only at college 9-4 twice a week, there was a l lot of work to do at home!
It’s great for university, I got 5 offers from all my choices. I study English literature this September 👌
Happy to answer any questions op!

Yes, I did one in 2009/10. Access to Education. Prepared me really well for a degree in History and I ended up getting a first. Now work in marketing.

Changed my life for the better. Pre Access course I was working part time on a supermarket checkout. Highly recommended from me, but my college was well regarded. A friend has been doing one ,ore recently and has had not such a positive experience.

Ach, I'm a bit of a bitter old hag, I know.

But it does gall me a bit how some people get into uni with three hard fought for high grade A levels, whereas others do a few GCSEs and an 'access course', where you get to do your failed or non existent GCSE English and Maths alongside, in a year.... which causes me to challenge the intellectual rigour of the access course.

It devalues everyone's degree.

Well I'm sorry my teenage years were so shit I dropped out of my A-levels because I was fucking suicidal.
It devalues shit. If someone passes their degree then they pass their degree regardless of how they got onto the course.

My son has just done access to nursing’
He’s 38 got distinctions all through
Got his uni place and hospital place
And is working in care home
He’s going to be a theatre nurse

My son did two nights a week
The £3000 tuition fees are waived if you go onto uni

Mature candidates haven't a hope in hell of taking A levels so Access is only route, certainly round these parts.

Mine (a decade ago) got me into Uni. Highest degree classifications in my cohort went to those who did Access courses rather than A levels. Not sure your argument wrt devaluing degrees Milijea holds up.

Same with my cohort @FallingIguanas

I actually got the highest overall mark in my cohort of 60+ students at the grand old age of 41 and won the prize for best student. I cannot see how my degree has devalued everyone else's because I got in by doing an Access course rather than A-levels. If anything it's more rigorous as you have to study lots of different subjects as opposed to 3 or 4, and study over one year, rather than two.

I did know, but it was a few years ago now. I Googled local FE colleges until I found a course that was suitable. Everyone who completed my course left with university offers, and I know that at least four of us out of that 15 later went in to postgraduate studies.

Good luck!