Anyone's DC taken an access to higher education diploma straight after A levels?

[gloriagloria]

DD has her heart set on a particular degree programme which will lead to a professional qualification. Unfortunately she is struggling with one of her A levels and realistically is unlikely to get the grade she requires. There are options to do a foundation year, but she is not keen on this for various reasons. She's also quite keen to take a gap year, which I think would be good for her. She could try and retake the A level during that year (which is not specifically required for the course), but I'm not sure that would end well, so I was wondering if she could do an access to higher education course part time and work part time? Most say from age 19 but there are some locally that aren't. Has anyone's DC done this straight after A levels? We would obviously need to check that this would make her eligible for the required course (it does list this as a possible entry qualification) but just wondering if this is an option? I understand we would probably have to pay fees but we can manage that.

I would look at a tutor for the one A level she is struggling with because that is cheaper than either the debt of a Foundation year or an access to HE diploma.

Yes I know a few. Def check uni entry reqs as some will state there must be a gap of 1-5 years between A levels and Access. Some don’t. Will depend on the degree.

If not eligible for a free fee she can take out an advanced learner loan to cover the tuition fee. This will be written off on completion of the degree.

Thanks - that's very helpful! Will check with the Unis.

@MercanDede - thanks - she already has one but not sure it's making much difference at the moment. Things might improve though

What’s the issue with taking a foundation year?

One issue is the cost. It’s an additional £9+k on top of the three years for main degree. Access is effectively free.

@Bunnyannesummers - partly cost, as @Rummikub said, but also they aren't available at the unis she most wants to go to.

What result does your DD require in the A level? Are there institutions with lower grades that might be available in clearing if she doesn't get the grade she needs?

If not I suppose the choice is access course, foundation year, redoing one A level or doing another A level from scratch in a year. Maybe your DDs school or college could advise on the pros and cons of each of these. Whilst a foundation year is expensive it would give a gentle start to university with the time to take part in societies and probably do a part-time job to cover some of the living expenses.

@biarritz i’m quite keen on the foundation year tbh but she’s a bit nervous I think. There isn’t much variation in what grades are needed across institutions- clearing is an option but you can’t always get accommodation and she doesn’t want to go too far from home at the moment which limits things a bit

DNiece got AAD in her Alevels and needed AAB for the course she had set her heart on.

She couldn't bear the thought of retaking her worst subject, so took another A level in one year, online while working part-time, and reapplied to UCAS. The offer made was subjective on that one B grade; she got it 😅

By the end of the gap year she had saved enough money to go interrailing for several weeks between the end of exams and Results Day, so she did manage to pack a lot into the year and grew up quite a bit. She was in a much better place to go to uni a year later with all that under her belt.

It would be better to either get a tutor for the subject she's struggling in or take another a-level.

The access course is intense! Equivalent of 3 a-levels in just 9 months, plus English, maths and IT skills. Honestly, it was harder than my actual degree.

@henrysugar12 thanks for this. The advantage of the access course is I think it would help her develop the skills needed at uni better than an a level - did you find it set you up well? Her maths and English are ok - she has good enough grades - but things like structuring coursework and researching from sources are poor.
@UrghAnotherOne not sure dd has the self discipline for online learning!

The students I know who’ve done it have opted for it because they changed their mind on HE destination and needed an alternative qualification to get in. They had all had a gap year or two, or some work experience and I think they needed that maturity to handle the access course, which is very intense. My concern for a student going straight into it from A Levels (if that’s actually allowed by your local colleges, rather than needing to be 19+) would be that the student would view it as an extension of school and find themselves struggling with the independence needed to crack on with it successfully. It would cover all the things you’ve mentioned she struggles with, but in a very different way from school, and the adjustment to a different style of learning on top of the workload could be difficult.

can you say the course and the grades she needs vs what she’s achieving? Would she be eligible for any reduced offers?

I did this straight after my a levels. All my level three qualifications were funded because I was under 19