Never let your age put you off returning to education especially if your ultimate
goal is to change the direction of your career and life. Our goal is help you achieve
your potential regardless of your previous educational experience.
With 50 per cent of our students classed as ‘mature students’, a term referring
to those aged over 21, you are certainly not alone in wanting to get back into education.
We provide a flexible higher education provision that fits in with your lifestyle
and balances with your other commitments.
Get Access to Higher Education
The Access to Higher Education (HE) Diploma is a qualification which will help you
develop the knowledge, skills and confidence you need to prepare you for university.
One of the key features is that most Access to HE courses don’t require you to have
any particular qualifications to start – and it doesn’t matter how long it is since
you last studied.
You’re never too old to study an Access to HE course. Your life experiences will
be valuable on the course and you’ll find that other Access to HE students – and
university students at the college – are of a wide age range.
Many students are nervous entering education after a long spell out and our tutors
are aware of this and take it into account in their teaching: you won’t be ‘thrown
into the deep end’ or tested on things which you forgot years ago. The course will
challenge you and the whole purpose of an Access to HE course is to help you to
be successful.
We offer Access courses in the following areas: Art and Design, Counselling, Health
& Nursing, Media, Science, Social Studies, Social Work, Teaching.
Supporting you all the way to graduation
Our Learner Support Services staff are happy to help you with any issues you may
have regarding your return to study. There is also a lot of support available such
as extra study skills classes, one-to- one tutorial time and academic support. Study
skills courses comprise a key component of most degrees, therefore if you have not
been in education for some time don’t worry about how you will adapt to being a
student again as these courses will assist you throughout your studies.
Accommodation
You may be moving into the area, and requiring a place to live near the College.
All students have the opportunity to apply to our Student Accommodation Scheme. Funding If you are 21 or over at the start of the
academic year, you are regarded as a mature (independent) student by your Local
Authority (LA). Mature students have the same access to statutory support as younger
students. This includes the maintenance grants and student loans. Please visit http://www.slc.co.uk for more information.
In addition to the statutory funding mentioned above, students who are suffering
particular financial hardship may apply to the Access to Learning Fund. The Fund
is open to all full and part time students and exists to help those who feel they
will have to withdraw from a course for financial reasons. Application forms can
be obtained from the Learner Support Services office after enrolment. Childcare Part-time students with
children of pre-school age may be entitled to a grant from the Access to Learning
Fund (mentioned above) to cover childcare costs. The College has its own nursery,
Jungle Cats, which is available to the children of staff and students who are aged
between three months and school age. In addition we run two Saturday children’s
clubs.