Acess to higher education courses available on line

[Kate3016]

Evening all!

Anyone out there that can help/advise on access to higher education courses?

I'm wanting to study on line due to work,
Children etc and it just fitting in better rather than venturing to college.

So I've googled for hours!! There's so many sites! Anyone out there recommend a good one to use?
I've had a look at stone bridge (I think hats what it's called) also Dimensions training solutions. Both offer the 19+ student loan.
I'm totally new to this so don't want to make a
Wrong decision right at the beginning!!

Thank you!

Hi Ive just completed my access course through dimensions (when I started it was learn direct but they switched companies towards the end of my course).
It is hard work, and i found I really had to motivate myself, especially with the units I struggled to understand.
The support from tutors varies from module to module, some tutors were absolutley amazing and others were less than helpful.
With dimensions you do have 2 years to complete the course in (i managed it in 9 months somehow) which lessons the pressure a bit unless you have a set finish time in mind.
Do check that the university you are hoping to go to accepts your course tho!
What course are you looking at doing?

Thanks so much for your response!
I'm wanting to do a social worker degree so have looked at the social work path way access course, I was told I needed to do an access course so I'll defo check if there's a certain one I need to do!
Dimensions I favoured over stone bridge, stone bridge weren't very helpful at all.
Did you go on to uni after your course?

Hi I did the social work course so am happy to help if needed. Some of the units didn't feel all that relevant but the universities I looked at accepted the access course.
As i said previously it all depends on the assesor for that unit as to how much support and/or feedback you get. Be prepared to have to film yourself doing powerpoint presentations and for the first few units to just be skills building i.e. the difference between an essay and a report
I started uni last week :)

Ah no way! That's amazing! Have you literally just started then?
I've worked as a Panel Administrator for the last 6 years at a fostering agency so I now know this is what I want to do
So you started this week?! How exciting! I'm hoping I can start next September!
Are you full time or part time studying?

Hi
Have you looked any more into who you'll do the course with?
I'm not sure if i mentioned it earlier but before you apply for the access course make sure you check with your chosen universities that they accept the course.
Its classed as a full time course but I'm only in for 2 days, although with the amount of additional reading I think I'll spend an extra day in the libary.

I'm looking at doing a social sciences Access course online as well. Jaybag did you have to film yourself doing presentations for assessments? I have terrible social anxiety and that's partly why I want to do the course by distance learning. I was hoping to be able to submit essays and not have to do anything like presentations, even if it's just for a video!

Nomanssky yes I'm afraid i did have to film myself doing 2 presentations.

Hi Jaybag!
I've gone with Dimensions training solutions!
Just waiting for confirmation of registration now!! I can't wait to get started!
Any tips?!

Oooh good luck!! The first few units are a lot easier than the others and are just building up your knowledge on the different types of writing etc.
In one of the units it says that they want to see your ucas application, so be prepared to start thinking about references for ucas as that really delayed me being able to submit the unit.
I managed to do the whole thing without getting any books (although I'm sure they would have helped I just didnt have the money to buy), at university they don't like you using internet sources but for thid course it is absolutley fine.
The wording of the questions for the assignment are cruical (I really struggled when they asked me to evaluate rather than explain something for example)
Some of the courses may seem irrelevant but stick with them as it turns out they actually are!
Oh and the timed assesments! Don't panic about them! You do get to re do them if you struggle and the questions remain the same (they even leave your previous answer so you can just make the changes according to the feedback). I remember one timed assessment I hadn't properly prepared for and I ended up deleting the answer as I realised I had written about the wrong thing, forgetting it was a timed assesment. You are also on most of them allowed to use any notes that you have made.

I hope I haven't made you panic too much!

Ahhhhhh okay so I need to apply to uni sooner rather than later??
Oh my days it all sounds so complex but I guess I just need to get started and see!

For a good job, I work for a fostering agency so I'm hoping I have lots of support on hand should I need it! And lots of books in our office haha!

That sounds like a great job to be in!
The deadline for ucas from what I remember is January, so yes it does come about quickly!
Also when you come to interviews for university, they are intense so try to research what each one is like before you go (this is looking well ahead though!)

It is a good job, very rewarding and something I just happened to drop on 6 years ago! Which is why I now want to go down the social work route

Maybe we could share email addresses or something and keep in contact with our progress! It would be great to have an extra person to ask questions or advice haha!

Not sure if you can do it on here so it stays secure though?!?

Hi Jaybag!

I do t suppose you could advise, was your access course enough to qualify to uni or did you have maths and English qualifications too??

Hi sorry kate3016 I didnt see your previous message. You will need maths and english as well i believe but if you know what universities you are interested in it is worth checking them to confirm! How are you finding the course?

What course do you want to do?

hi there just a quick message.... with filming yourself how do you show your powerpoints whilst presenting..... how did you do it and also when did you apply to university was in sep, octo or december plz thanks