SQA levels advice / funding for adult returners please ?

[52andblue]

Hi, I am an adult who wishes to return to study after a long gap.
Previously I completed Yr 1 of a Psy degree at Edin Uni in 1992 but dropped out after personal problems.
I did a Diploma at Strathclyde Uni in 1999 (doesnt say the level but assuming Undergrad level). This qualified me as a Counsellor. I worked for a few years but took a very long break & now wish to retrain.

There is a local college where I can study part time (perfect as I am still a Carer). They have an HND course avail. I have no idea if this is equivalent to what I did before or not? The old course at Strathclyde is no longer in existence & I don't really understand the current Scottish levels of education. Can anyone advise please?

Also, I am in receipt of Carers allowance topped up by Income Support. Would I be able to apply for help towards the course fees?

Given your circumstances, it's likely that you will not have to pay any course fees. Regarding the appropriate levels of qualification, have a look on the scqf.org.uk website at the Scottish qualifications' framework as this will show you how the different levels relate to each other. You would be best speaking directly to a Student Support Officer at your chosen college for advice. They are well used to advising adult returners regarding funding and appropriate courses. Good for you getting back into education and I wish you the best of luck in your future studies.

People are eligible for 5 years of funding for fees in Scotland so you should be ok for that. I'm sure I read somewhere you can't get student loan for living expenses for part time courses but check on SSAS website.

As pp says Student Support at the college should be used to answering these questions.

Good luck

Thanks @WearingaScarfandDrinkinggaWine
I had a look at rhe SQA site & I'm still a bit unclear what might highest educational level is so far ? (not encouraging if I can't understand this bit, oof!)

Thanks @ecceromani
I need to work out my ed level as the College advisor said both: you'll have to start from scratch with a 10 week Intro to Counselling evening class then HNC then HND level 1 then level 2 but also: 'you might be overqualified for these' so, I am clear as mud now !

@52andblue
The COSCA counselling course some universities and colleges offer is SCQF level 8. Could that be nearest to what you did?
HND is also level 8

Hi @eccoromani - thanks that's really helpful. Its a bit bonkers I don't know really but it was 21 yrs ago, in my defence. Yes I should think it was that at least as it was 1 year full time Strathclyde University & everyone else was a graduate (I just talked my way onto it & they liked me i think ?)

https://www.gcu.ac.uk/study/courses/details/index.php/P01471/COSCACounsellinggSkillsCertificate/

Could this be similar to course you did?
It's level 8

scqf.org.uk/media/nizmn1eu/scqf-diagram-2017-a6-web.pdf

Was it a Diploma of Higher Education you did. This shows it at the same level as an HND.

Hi

First year uni and HNC and certificate of HE. Are all SCQF 7.

Second year uni, HND, diploma HE are all SCQF 8.

There are some stand alones I’m not sure of. But you can check on the SCQF website and search for a course. If you know the four years of an honours degree are SCQF 7, 8, 9, 10 it helps make sense of it.

Also pretty sure you will still have funding available for at least 3 years. You might get into the second year of a programme with your existing quals and experience- depends on the course etc.

I had an interview at the College just before Christmas and was told I had a place on the HND as my prior learning stood in for the usual qualifying HNC. Then I got an email the next day to say I had to attend an Academic Exemption meeting.
I contacted Strathclyde Uni to ask for my Transcript but got an email back to say that these can only be supplied hard copy pre 2010 and they are not sending out hard copies atm due to covid so cant help (!)

I had my Academic Exemption meeting yesterday and the local college said they were not sure that my Strathclyde Diploma was equivalent to so I cant have a place on the HND and to apply for an HNC later this summer (the equiv of the Cosca Cert in Counselling I did in 1997 to qualify for the 1998/9 Strathclyde course. I'm going backwards :(
I called both the SQA today and the SCQF. Both said I need to check with Strathclyde what level the Diploma was at as Unis set their own qualifications. Except Strathclyde wont' respond.

Even the SAAS has no record of me in my maiden name, so cant tell me what funding I could get I'd just have to apply.

Argh. Frustrated...

Hi OP I think the HND was redesigned or created in circa 2018 and will have been mapped to the HNC outcomes, which I'm guessing is why they're being iffy about accepting you even though you've done your previous course.

I think all the colleges have a stock thing for the enrolment onto HND after completing HNC but will in some circs accept other qualifications (usually if the course isn't full sadly).

Have you got anyone to cc into the Strathclyde email to try and chase it? Or depending on your location is there another college you could approach about availability?

It might not be that the course is full from HNC students going on to the HND but that's where my mind went to, sorry OP

I'm trying to think if any of the colleges have a Jan start date for the HNC but obviously you'll be wanting to see if you can get your prior learning docs from Strathclyde verified so you can go straight to the HND. Aah what a bind. I hope Strathclyde get back to you soon.