Access to HE course - distance learning.

[SophieSoSo]

Hi all

Ive been offered a place at my local village to start an access to HE course in September.

Given that I will need to work still and have two children, I’m wondering if a distance learning course would suit me better.

Work have agreed that I can work four days a week instead of five which would give me a full study day every week, plus an extra day every other weekend when my children are with their dad.

Has anyone done a distance learning access course before? I can complete at my own pace but ideally would like to complete in one year so I’m interested to hear how much study time you carried out each week, and whether I’m being realistic!

Local college - not village!

What is the Access course for? I did one online last year in 8 months. I’m a single parent and also worked. It was tough but doable. I’m at university now and finding it so much easier than the access!

I completed an access course via distance learning. I fit it in around a toddler and preschooler as well as working full time. I started at the start of the pandemic. I didn’t put any pressure on to complete it quickly and it took me 18 months. Well worth it and I’ll be starting uni this September

It’s the access to social work course.

Thank you both so much for your replies - how much study time did you set aside a week for the course? X

Mine was Access to Midwifery and was mostly biology with a bit of sociology and psychology. I found the biology modules ok as I already have an A level in biology and the assignments were 2500 words but lots of 500 word short questions, so I could do one question an evening for and hour or so and complete it in a couple of weeks. With the essays in psychology and sociology, I they took a lot longer and I’d say about 10 -15 hours a week for a couple of weeks.
I did really enjoy it though and loved getting my assignments back!

Make sure it’s an accredited course, some are ‘diploma’ or ‘certificate’ not an accredited qualification.

look up accredited qualifications online to double check - don’t waste your time or money.

Thank you @Threetulips ive just checked and found the attached - does this mean it is accredited or should I be looking elsewhere?

I feel clueless!

Thank you so much that’s really helpful, I think I would have at least two full days a week to study, and could do more in the evenings if needed so hopefully that will be enough!

Congratulations on your university course I hope it’s going well!

Yes, Ascentis validate QAA accredited Level 3 qualifications

OP, if you go on to the Mature Study and Retraining board you’ll find quite a few threads on Access courses and distance learning. Here’s an example:

www.mumsnet.com/talk/mature_students/4486801-Open-University-or-Access-to-Higher-Education?reply=116360108

@TottersBlankly thank you, I’ll head over there!