[That's So Fetch]

Hi, I was wondering if anyone is doing this access course or if you have applied to do it? Could you share your experiences of doing the course, including the workload, the teaching facilities and if it has prepared you for university? Or the reasons for why you have applied at this college and what are your feelings towards starting the course?

I really want to do the course (at St John's Campus) to get onto Occupational Therapy at The University of Salford but I havn't decided yet. I'm abit concerned about the course fees and I don't want to apply until I know I can afford it and if it is the right course for me.

I would appreciate any advice you have about this or anything you have to say.

I look forward to from hearing from you xxx

[kstafford5]

Hi, I haven't done the access course at Manchester, but have done it in North Wales, the content was great, it has been hard work tho. In our college the assessment methods were mostly 1500 word assignments and as soon as you hand one in a new one comes, aswell as comms, maths and science level 2 assignments and a 5000 word interdisciplinary study. But I have to say it is the best thing I have ever done in education, it really does prepare you for university. Re fees, if you apply for OT you won't need to pay tuition fees as it is a bursary course via the nhs. Hope this helps

[That's So Fetch]

(Original post by kstafford5)
Hi, I haven't done the access course at Manchester, but have done it in North Wales, the content was great, it has been hard work tho. In our college the assessment methods were mostly 1500 word assignments and as soon as you hand one in a new one comes, aswell as comms, maths and science level 2 assignments and a 5000 word interdisciplinary study. But I have to say it is the best thing I have ever done in education, it really does prepare you for university. Re fees, if you apply for OT you won't need to pay tuition fees as it is a bursary course via the nhs. Hope this helps

Hi hun, thanks for your reply. I'm glad you ejoyed your Access course and it's prepared you well for university. Have you applied to do OT too? I knew studying OT used to be covered by the NHS but i thought maybe something had changed since university course fees have changed.

I prefer assignment methods tha exams, i think its alittle less stressful, lol. I dont think i've sat an exam for like 10 years, lol.

xxx

[lambchopikins]

Hi again,

Yep I am doing it now at Manchester distance learning. I have so far done maths, English, it, developmental psychology and social psychology modules and I am currently on health psychology. I am finding it ok but certainly more than the 5 hours a week they suggest, I say I am putting in 10 or more hours a week. Lots of essays in psychology. There are 3 exams to sit, biology, psychology and health.

I can send you a copy of the timetable if you like so you can see the timescale of things. You get 2 weeks to complete each module, and there is usually a lot of your own research involved in that 2 weeks. To be honest it's a little harder than I thought but maybe that's just the psychology part. The English maths and IT were very easy. I have an HND so I am educated. You need to read a lot but so far it's been very intteresting. I've got 3 kids 5 and under so study in the evening or if I get a rare kid free day.

Ask me anything and I'll try to answer.
Kerry

[That's So Fetch]

(Original post by lambchopikins)
Hi again,

Yep I am doing it now at Manchester distance learning. I have so far done maths, English, it, developmental psychology and social psychology modules and I am currently on health psychology. I am finding it ok but certainly more than the 5 hours a week they suggest, I say I am putting in 10 or more hours a week. Lots of essays in psychology. There are 3 exams to sit, biology, psychology and health.

I can send you a copy of the timetable if you like so you can see the timescale of things. You get 2 weeks to complete each module, and there is usually a lot of your own research involved in that 2 weeks. To be honest it's a little harder than I thought but maybe that's just the psychology part. The English maths and IT were very easy. I have an HND so I am educated. You need to read a lot but so far it's been very intteresting. I've got 3 kids 5 and under so study in the evening or if I get a rare kid free day.

Ask me anything and I'll try to answer.
Kerry

Wow, it does seem like alot of work and to do it with having to look after your children aswell, thats like supermum, lol. I think with access courses you have to do alot of indepenent studying, so i am ging to prepare myself for hours of independent studying.

I'd find it really useful if you could send me a copy of your timetable but i know doing it at the college will be different than online. I'm looking forward to the Bio and the Psyc but what do you cover in the health modules? What kind of topics do you cover, if you dont mind me asking? I'm just curious to how it would all link up to allied health professions as thats what the access course is preparing us for.

I've always been good at psyc, so if you need any help, just let me know xxx

[lambchopikins]

I got my first mark back for developmental psychology today. Got a merit so chuffed with that as I didn't enjoy it. My mother in law is a developmental psychologist. I much prefer Health Psychology that's for sure. The timetable is useful as it lists all the modules. I'll send it after dinner

[That's So Fetch]

(Original post by lambchopikins)
I got my first mark back for developmental psychology today. Got a merit so chuffed with that as I didn't enjoy it. My mother in law is a developmental psychologist. I much prefer Health Psychology that's for sure. The timetable is useful as it lists all the modules. I'll send it after dinner

Hi Hun, just send me the timetable whenever you can, there's no rush

Well done on your merit, thats great news. You should discuss it with your tutor to find out your strengths and weaknesses so you are prepared for your next assessment. That's what I plan to do

Health psychology is my favourite too. I love learning about mental health and rehabilitation. That's why I want to specialise in mental health when and if I become an OT.

Did you start the course in January? That was what I wanted to do but I couldn't afford the fees at the time.

Anyway, thanks again for the timetable. Have you got a course handbook with any details about the modules and course in general that you could send me? It would be good to know what the course entails and to see if I will be able to handle it before i pay £2000 for it.

If you need my email, just let me know xxxx

[lambchopikins]

Yea send me your email and I'll mail it all to you. Yea started in January... Well late January. Got lots of feedback on where to improve so happy enough

[NatashaB5051]

It would be good to know what the course entails and to see if I will be able to handle it before i pay £2000 for it.

Is it 2000 its says 930 on the website ?

[NatashaB5051]

(Original post by lambchopikins)
Yea send me your email and I'll mail it all to you. Yea started in January... Well late January. Got lots of feedback on where to improve so happy enough

Can you send it to me as well please ?

[That's So Fetch]

(Original post by NatashaB5051)
It would be good to know what the course entails and to see if I will be able to handle it before i pay £2000 for it.

Is it 2000 its says 930 on the website ?

Hi hun, I think the online distance learning course is 930. To study the course at the college is around 2000.

That's what's putting me off doing the course because it costs so much. I have health problems to deal with and it would be a waste on money if my health gets in the way of me doing the course and I have to leave the course.

I'm considering doing the online course too, it all depends on my health and the fees.

So I'm trying to get that sorted xxx

[That's So Fetch]

(Original post by lambchopikins)
Yea send me your email and I'll mail it all to you. Yea started in January... Well late January. Got lots of feedback on where to improve so happy enough

Hi Hun, I was planning on doing the course in jan too, but decided not to. Depending on the fees, I might even do the online course course in sept this year or in January 2013 because it is way cheaper than going into the college which is around £2000.

That's good that you have all the feedback that you need, I'm sure you'll be getting distinctions in you assignments . How are you feeling about siting the exams? I haven't sat an exam in like forever, so it would be Interesting to take exams again

I'll send you a private message with my email if that's ok. Thanks again for all your help xxx

[That's So Fetch]

Hi Hun, I've sent you a private message with my email address xx

[Dave10]

Thats so fetch : Im doing the EXACT same thing as you. Manchester college St Johns campus and wanting to go to Salford to study OT !

Have you been accepted to the college yet ? I only rung up on Wednesday and the woman said i needed to apply online. Ive gone for the 1 year blended course, which imo is clearly the best. Its 34 weeks, 4 hours a week in the evenings so i will still be able to work and its the cheapest of the lot at £800

Get onto it, we will be study buddies haha

[That's So Fetch]

(Original post by Dave10)
Thats so fetch : Im doing the EXACT same thing as you. Manchester college St Johns campus and wanting to go to Salford to study OT !

Have you been accepted to the college yet ? I only rung up on Wednesday and the woman said i needed to apply online. Ive gone for the 1 year blended course, which imo is clearly the best. Its 34 weeks, 4 hours a week in the evenings so i will still be able to work and its the cheapest of the lot at £800

Get onto it, we will be study buddies haha

Hi dave, that's awesome. I'm going to send you a pm now. Xx

[lasslancashire]

Hi, I'm waiting to hear if I'm on the 'fast track' nursing and allied at Moston. I find out in June. I wanted to do the two year course part time but they told me they don't do it anymore. I am worried about the deadlines as I work 3 12hr days and have 3 kids too!

[That's So Fetch]

(Original post by lasslancashire)
Hi, I'm waiting to hear if I'm on the 'fast track' nursing and allied at Moston. I find out in June. I wanted to do the two year course part time but they told me they don't do it anymore. I am worried about the deadlines as I work 3 12hr days and have 3 kids too!

Hi hun, is the fast track course the day release option where you go into uni for 1day a week and you only study the Core units, the Health Biology units and the Psychlogy units? Thats what i have applied to do as St Johns Centre.

I think the access course is offered part time at St Johns. I'm sure they would offer it part time other than at Moston. They must know there will be people who can only do it part time.

You should enquire about it at the college if you'd rather do it over 2 years? Is there any particular reason why you have applied for the moston campus? Would you have to travel far to get to St Johns? I think travelling abit further to do the course would be better than having to rush it in a year and face difficulties with work and homes.

The only reason i am going to St Johns is because i'll be commuting into manchester and its the closest one to the train staion.

If you have to do the fast track course i would make the college aware of any difficulties you might have with your work and kids and they might be able to help you with that.

I think theres an open day at the college on Thursday 17th May from 12pm- 7pm. I'm not sure which campus it is tho. You could go along to that and see if you could talk to anyone there.

I'm sorry i cant be of more help but i really hope you get things sorted xx

[Yammy81]

The idea of the access course and being able to complete it as distant learning is great......but.....I've witnessed the shoddy excuse for teaching and departmental organisation at this campus on the access course and how they've got away with it so far beggars belief. My missus is studying this course and has had nothing but problems for past two years. No course timetable/content, shambolic correspondence and attitude from teachers and admin staff, unacceptable periods of notice and preparation time when being given assignments and then being taught lessons that have no relevance to the assignment they've just been handed. I even sat in one evening, the 'teacher' didn't even know I came in off the street, and was amazed to see that pointing at a PowerPoint and reading it out constitutes teaching to these people. I lecture at college/uni level and just could not get away with it, let alone sleep at night knowing how utterly useless I was at my job and ruining students chances of going on to uni. She's just about finished now and is going to uni, and can't wait to be shut of the place and the incompetent staff within it. I've got a good mind to report them to the QAA based on what I've witnessed.