Has anyone done an access course with the Distance Learning Centre ??

[nutcracker]

Yes it's me again and yep I am asking about access courses again, please don't groan, bear with me.

I was idly surfing the net looking for inspiration on courses etc and found the DLC who offer various access courses online.

They are recognised by uni's and cover everything that a normal access course does, even the english and maths but you do the course at your own pace, doing one module at a time and not moving onto the next one until you have finnished eached section.

Only downside for me is that it costs £40 a month which I would majorly struggle to pay, but the idea of going at your own pace and not being bombarded with subjects at once really appeals to me.

Anyone else gone down this route ?

Erm have started it several times, and always left in first term.

Ok, it seems that I have just missed the cut off point for the OU one, but they do do a smaller course starting in March 'Understanding Health', which might be good to do whilst I decide what I want to do next.

how long does OU take?

So is it midwifery you want to do?

Are the access courses at college free?

I am concerned that you set up a DD for £40 a month & then if you choose to opt out for a month or so they will still charge you... obviously that is something you will have to find out for yourself before you sign up.

Nutty, you know yourself if you have the sticking power this time, but I think you need to decide for sure before you rush headlong into something again.

At least with the OU you won't have childcare issues

What about the house swap? Have you made any progress there?

I would advise you do a basic math & english course before the OU though... entry to the access course I studied on was dependent on the student having a good grasp on maths & english.

Nutty that shorter course sounds like a good starter one and woudl gove you an idea if it a route worth pursuing. Also if you do the GCSE's alongside, even if you ultimately change your mind or need to take time out, you'll have some additional qualifications to fall back on.

I don't have a prob with basic Maths and English, my results for that on entry to the access course have always been fine. It's the harder Maths I struggle to grasp, so a course in that would be a help yeah.

The access courses at college is free yeah but not this distance one.

I'm going to look into doing the shorter OU one to start with, i think it only lasts for 4 mths and only consists of 2 assignments so would be a good starting place I think. Then if I get on ok with that I will reconsider the access one again. You can start it at any time in the year so thats not a problem.

WRT the house, I'm not sure what you last read about it ? The one in Lichfield fell through, but I'm looking at one on Wednesday which is in same area I am in now, but about 30 min walk from here, and on a lovely estate. I really really want it so fingers crossed I will like hers and she will lke mine. She is a foster carer and basically has to move or reduce the number of children she fosters.

Ah yes the last I read you had went a walk around the estate the other house was on & liked it

What I meant was that if you decided you needed to work for a bit before starting a course or even part time around one, they would be something potential employers would recognise as well as an entry qualification, increasing your options.

Yes iswym..

I'm off to a 'Lone Parent Info Day' next week too, so hopefully that might throw up some avenues.

I'm also wanting to do a midwifery degree, i'm 27 with 2 kids!
I have contacted the Uni where i'll be studying and they'll accept the DLC access course in midwifery. Here's the reply I got from the Uni!

"Many people who do not have the suitable academic qualifications tend to study the Access courses to meet our entry requirements. An Access to Higher Education is a year long part time course which is taught at local colleges and starts each September. Basically this course is equivalent to A' level study and meets the entry requirements for the midwifery programme. If you decide to complete an Access course you would need to successfully pass it, gaining as many credits at level 3 and you would need to complete an Access which contains biological study-such as an access to Science, Nursing or Health Professions. You would need to pass your Access course with at least 15 biology credits at level 3. To find out more about Access courses please contact your local colleges."

I hope this helps.