Access to Higher Education

Access courses are designed for students who have few or no formal qualifications, or who may not have studied for some time and lack the confidence to move directly into degree or diploma level study.

These courses are accredited by the Open College Network West Midlands Region and are recognised by universities and colleges around the country.

Access to Higher Education is recognised as an alternative to A levels for mature students and is an ideal stepping stone into higher education.

Entry Requirements

There are no formal entry requirements. The qualities we would expect you to have are reasonable standards of numeracy and literacy as well as a high level of motivation.

Programme Aims

The courses concentrate on the development of study skills, confidence building and introducing students to the teaching and learning methods they will encounter in higher education. Work is conducted in small informal groups, and all students have a personal tutor who can assist with such matters as applications for higher education.

Programme Content

There are three pathways. These are Access to Nursing and Health, Education and Teaching and Combined. All students take the core subjects – Mathematics and English.

The following subjects are available, however, your choice will be dependant on the pathway you have chosen.

• Human Biology
• Law
• Health Studies
• History
• Literature
• Psychology
• Sociology

The courses are available on both a Full-Time and Part-Time basis.

Full-Time – The course runs between 4-5 days a week for one year between 9.30-15.00

Part-Time - The course runs over two years you will attend two evening sessions a week between 18.30-21.30 pm (please note that not all option subjects are available to evening students).

Full-time and part-time courses start in September.

The emphasis is on gradual development from classroom based, tutor-led activities to more independent study, with tutor support.

Method of Assessment

The programme is assessed by means of a range of tasks, including essays, seminar papers, practicals, research projects and presentations. The course is credit based, which means that credits can be awarded for part of the course if for any reason a student is unable to complete the whole programme. Credits are transferable to other Access programmes.

Successful students are awarded the Access to Higher Education Diploma.

Progression

Access Courses are recognised as an appropriate alternative to A-levels for mature students and have a high success rate for those wanting to move on to higher education. With an Access Diploma progression is possible to a wide range of degree and diploma courses.

How to apply

Please contact Jo-Anne McGivney on 01384 344641 who will send you an application form and an information leaflet about the course. Return the application form to us with an A4 hand written explanation why you wish to enrol onto the Access to HE programme. All successful applicants will be invited to an open day and induction.

The Programme Area Manager for the Access course is Claire Whittingham.
Telephone: 01384 399592 or e-mail: claire.whittingham@stourbridge.ac.uk