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Hey

I did an Access to Science course and was accepted onto a Biology degree at UCL.

To be honest, I found the Access course to be woefully lacking in providing suitable preparation for university study. I was at a huge disadvantage to the A Level kids, because my maths and chemistry knowledge just wasn't up to scratch.

I found the Access course to be incredibly easy and it was a huge shock to the system to discover how hard a science degree at a top university is. I spent the first couple of months playing catch up - teaching myself the basic maths and chemistry that should have been provided on the access course.

In hindsight, I wish I had taken Biology, Chemistry and Maths A Levels.
William87
I'd say completing an Access Course isn't all that difficult but doing well in it is, I know people who got ridiculously high offers and had to be on point for every assignment which was near enough weekly.


Completely agree with that comment, I've just finished my Access course and although pretty much anyone can pass as long as they turn up to classes, getting distinction in every assignment is almost impossible. I managed to get all distinctions bar 3 of the units which I got merit for, but had to work my backside off to get them. Being set at least one or two assignments a week means you are constantly under pressure. From my experience, I would say that it is actually more intense than A-levels, so the comments such as "can't be arsed" are completely invalid.
antd


Many graduate career schemes stipulate a minimum number of UCAS points. If they are strict, they will not look at your access course
.


Oh CRAP. I forgot about this! I'm hoping to enter graduate HR schemes and I wonder how many of them I am now going to be automatically exempt from :frown: Better do my research.
Reply 23
sauce
:teeth: :wavey: Are you doing an access course?


No, just A-levels.
Reply 24
Access courses were designed for mature students who had been out of education for some time, may not have achieved when in education or for some reason did not have the opportunity to take up education to GCE "A" Level. It is not an easy option as it means working hard to put in a lot of work in one year rather than spreading it across two years. It is for this reason that Access courses spend a lot of time on study skills, which covers things like how to write essays, the difference between an essay and a report, note taking and note making, managing own learning, how to revise, and of great importance how to reference your work correctly and avoid plagiarism. Quite a few people who have taken A levels and a degree in the arts take an Access Course if they want a career change to something like health science and although they have covered all this before they appreciate the chance to brush up on skills as well as learn new science subjects. Many people who take an Access course are juggling work and running a family as well as working on their course. Something they may not manage over two years for A levels. It is not the easy option some people seem to think.
Reply 25
ciskit
Access courses were designed for mature students who had been out of education for some time, may not have achieved when in education or for some reason did not have the opportunity to take up education to GCE "A" Level. It is not an easy option as it means working hard to put in a lot of work in one year rather than spreading it across two years. It is for this reason that Access courses spend a lot of time on study skills, which covers things like how to write essays, the difference between an essay and a report, note taking and note making, managing own learning, how to revise, and of great importance how to reference your work correctly and avoid plagiarism.


I agree with a lot of what you say here and disagree with much of the very negative original post / topic starter.

I have been told that these days many younger (19.-21) students are using the Access courses as a quick fix for bad A-levels. These people may struggle to get in to top Uni's as the admissions tutors obviously take a dim view of this - A gap year is not significant life or work experience and being 20 instead of 18 is not really 'mature'.

The original post also fails to mention that these days there are many different routes to take; such as Access to Science, Computing, Radiography, Nursing & Midwifery, Law.... the list goes on, colleges are starting to specialise the courses in order to meet the demand.

I am 24, (still young for a 'mature' student I feel) and I didn't get any GCSE's or A-levels due to health problems and family/social issues when I was a kid,

This year I am doing an Access to Computing course and I hope to go on and do a computing/IT/ or a computer science type degree in 2011. So far I have investigated Leicester/De Montfort/Warwick/Coventry/Birmingham & Loughborough, they all appear to be Access course friendly, which confirms what the Access tutor told me....... OK so it isn't Oxbridge, but who gives a fig?

If you want to do something extremely specialised like Medicine/Veterinary/ straight Mathematics then you will need A-levels for the background knowledge, but because most subjects don't actually require massive background knowledge and are taught right from scratch many ARE possible via Access, even something like Pharmacy can be done if you are willing to take a long degree course with a foundation year at a slightly lesser Uni.

I also don't believe the access route is 'easy'. 15 to 19hrs a week in college and probably the same again at home.......... that is not easy for a mature student who has been out of education for years or even decades in many cases. Successfully completing the course shows the admissions tutor that you have ability, commitment and work ethic, which is basically everything you need.

You also fail to realise that many Uni's actually look favorably on mature students because as a group they tend to work hard and have lower drop out rates. This is because the sacrifice is huge, there are kids, partners, elderly parents and mortgages to consider. They will have thought through WHY they are going to Uni and what they want to achieve - We are not just entering uni because that is what is expected of us and it is what our mates are doing!



You are obviously going to have your own opinion, but I feel it is very negative and posted as a matter of fact. - Much of what you write is not actually fact. - For instance I know of more than one person who go into do Law from Access courses. A family member of mine got into Warwick off an Access course about 8 years ago and is now doing a PHD based at Warwick med school. I have been communicating with a guy via this very forum who has a confirmed place on a computer science course this year after doing an access course last year.
Reply 26
what are the entry requirements for access courses?
Reply 27
Tariq786
what are the entry requirements for access courses?

usually no formal qualifications are required and if it's your first level 2 qualification(nvq level 2 or higher or equivalent) then you can get reduced fees for the year.
Reply 28
Tariq786
what are the entry requirements for access courses?

It varies, some places want GCSE maths and English but in most cases there are no formal qualifications required.

An interview with the course tutor followed by entry tests in Maths, English & possibly something else related to the course, which was IT in my case but would probably be Science for many other courses.

The course is also free in many cases.
jellybeansx
Just out of interest how is it more expensive? I genuinely don't know.


I was meant to be doing access this academic year just gone. What they didn't tell me until the day the course started was that I wasn't old enough and would have to pay. I got quoted £3400 :eek3: :eek3:

Instead, I went and did AS for free :biggrin:
Reply 30
antd
I did an Access course this year, and like many people, I had to weigh up whether to do a-levels or not.
I'm hoping for this topic to be of value to those debating which course is best for them; access or a-levels.

I will list here some pros and cons.

Access to HE:

1. Access courses are relatively easy. You can often resubmit coursework in order to get a higher grade.
2. Short length of time. It takes only 1 year to complete. This may be a benefit if time is of the essence


1. Some universities do not accept the qualification. Thus, creating a barrier to entry on some of the top universities.
2. It is worth ZERO UCAS points. Many graduate career schemes stipulate a minimum number of UCAS points. If they are strict, they will not look at your access course.


A-levels:

1. Universally accepted by all institutions
2. Worth UCAS points


1. Relatively difficult due to exam based assessment
2. Two year course



My Opinion

If you know you are intelligent and know you can excel, I would whole-heartedly recommend that you take the two years and do a-levels.

Only, do an access course if:
- You are bad at exams and you know you cannot get AAA/AAB at a-level
- You aren't bright enough to get AAA/AAB at a-level
- Time is of IMMENSE importance (and I don't mean you'll be starting uni at 24 vs 22. I'm only referring to emergency or financial related situations)
- You are not that fussed about entering the elite universities
- You aren't looking for a top-end graduate scheme career (particularly in financial or law services)

The Access course will also prevent you from entering higher institutions on some courses.

Don't do an access course if you want to do any of the following courses at the top universities (Top 10~):
Economics (Not enough maths in the access course)
Mathematics (Not enough maths)
Computer Science (Not enough maths)
Engineering (Not enough maths)
Law (Requires logic-based subjects)

Yes, some people would have somehow gained entry to these subjects, at a top institution, with an access course qualification. However, I have gleaned this data straight from the top institutions' admissions officers.

I understand that this post may not cover everybody's situation. I just know it is relevant to me and should be able to help those aged between 18 - 24.

Anyway, I hope this helps. The 2 year vs 1 year course length is negligible and you will not regret doing a-levels at the expense of entering university one year older! This is only if you want to enter an elite institution. If you don't, then go ahead and do an Access course.

I speak from experience, I chose an access course over a-levels because I thought I would be too old. In the end, I got an acceptance into a good university (I'm sure this was purely luck and a good reference/letter of recommendation from my tutor). However, I was rejected by many for not having a-levels AND so were many relatively bright students on my course.

Due to this, I have seen first hand the great advantage that a-level students have over access course students; particularly when it comes to the higher end institutions.


Y'know you can solve the time issue with A levels by doing them intensively in a year, I did that this year, although of course I'm yet to see how I've done.
Reply 31
Phasma
Y'know you can solve the time issue with A levels by doing them intensively in a year, I did that this year, although of course I'm yet to see how I've done.


Did you really have to quote that whole huge post in order to add one line? :mad:
Reply 32
BigV
Did you really have to quote that whole huge post in order to add one line? :mad:


Are you really pedantic enough to neg me for it? Ostensibly so. Pathetic. :rolleyes:
Reply 33
I'm afraid the original poster is trying to compare apples and oranges.

Generally there isn't an "either/or" option. Our school system works to A levels - that is the Level 3 default qualification for entry to University in England & Wales. Access courses are not open to people under the age of 20 as a rule although 19 year olds in their 20th year can be accepted.

Now there is something that doesn't appeal about looking down on Access courses because (in my opinion) of elitism rather than any sound evidenced based analysis of the matter. Many people didn't have the opportunity to go back into full time education if they missed their opportunity to take A levels for whatever reason and there are perfectly good reasons other than being too "thick" as the OP implies. To waste so much talent because they didn't go down the traditional educational route between the ages of 16 and 18 or thereabouts is criminal. It makes absolute sense to have an alternative qualification designed to suit adults (and "little" 20 year olds are adults too) rather than school pupils. I think you will find in any event that the number of 20 year olds on Access courses are very few in comparison to those in their mid-twenties and upwards.

To say Access courses are "easy" is really to overlook what is going on with A Levels and the fact that so many people are getting multiple A grades that it has actually devalued the qualifications and caused many universities and perhaps more especially the top universities to introduce their own entrance tests. Adding the A* has done little or nothing to deal with that problem. Access courses will be easier for some and harder for others, you can't generalize.

Again, its already been pointed out that Universities are glad to have older students, not just those straight from school/gap year. This is a fact. Students who have chosen to come back into education are there because they want to be there and want to learn and achieve. Why shouldn't they have access to higher education in a format that takes account of the fact you can't live your life as though you were still 18 at home living with mum and dad, no bills to pay and all the time you need to do your studying?

And let's please debunk the idea that the top universities don't want people with Access qualifications - yes they do! But if you just get a pass you are no more likely to get in to a popular (or even an unpopular) course than someone with 4 grade E passes at A Level - isn't that obvious? Getting distinctions and merits in the majority of the units that go to make up the Access qualification is definitely not easy and those who manage it deserve credit for sticking with it and putting in the hours every bit as much as people achieving good grades in A Levels - dare I say even more so as they will often be juggling child care, jobs and other commitments.

I know people who have got into Oxbridge on the back of Access - Oxbridge colleges don't just rely on Level 3 results anyway, they have their own entrance requirements - and I also know people who have got in top Unis like Warwick, Manchester, Leeds, Cardiff etc. It really is misleading to advise people they won't get in to the higher ranked Universities on Access to HE, I can't stress this too much.

So whether its apples or oranges, choose the one with the flavour that suits you and do not be put off.
Reply 34
Just really to echo other responses here, whilst there is some truth in the OP, most of it is unfounded.

If you want to do a science/math based subject, and want to go to a top university, it MAY be necessary to have A Levels. But this varies with subject and institution, so always find out directly. Whilst A Levels are generally the surer route, plenty of people have managed it with Access, so there's no need to rule it out.

With arts/humanities subjects, there are very, very few subjects, and NO institutions that do not accept Access. Obviously, most languages will require an appropriate A Level, but that's essentially it. The only reason entrance might be considered more difficult is because many mature students don't have GCSEs representative of their ability, and can't prove this directly by gaining strong AS Level results. But universities are aware of this, and if the teacher reference is suitable, but they want further reassurance, will often request written work or an interview. I know numerous people who got into excellent universities despite having poor, or even no GCSE results.

Access in a lot of ways prepares students MORE for university. Whilst they might not have the same level of knowledge in a subject as A Level students, the style of learning is genrally closer to university learning.

For most people Access will be the cheaper, quicker path to university and provide exactly the same opportunities as A Levels.
Reply 35
I also disagree strongly with some of the rubbish submitted in the original post, and very much agree with the points Jellybean has made.

Original poster, have you even done A-levels?! I've done A levels myself (and the access course), and the access course is not easier than A-levels! It has a much higher workload than A-levels and my course had exams also, as do most.

Furthermore, many top universites accept the access course for Economics, so you're wrong in this department too. I had offers from Durham, Nottingham and Loughborough. Oh, and in addition plenty of people from my course have gone on to study Law at a top Uni.

Addditonally, as other people have said you cannot resubmit work to get a higher grade. You can re sumbit work to achieve a higher level (if you havn't got level 3) but it certainly won't be graded at P/M/D.

Overall a bad, misleading post that will put many off the access course!

jellybeansx
I disagree with ALOT of your post. I think it's also misleading to people weighing up there options.

An Access course is not easy and on my Access course there is no way you can re-submit work to get a better grade. Your college obviously aren't playing by the book here. Access courses are completely different from course to course I finished with 99 credits and it was not easy or the drop out rate wouldn't be so high across the U.K.

Access course's are currently not in the UCAS tariff because it used to be a certificate not a diploma and only changed last year to graded (pass,merit, distinction). UCAS are currently under review to add more qualifications and it's expected Access course will be in after the review but it will take 18 months-24 months for the final results.
http://ucas.com/about_us/media_enquiries/media_releases/2010/010710

I also don't know any university that doesn't accept the Access course as a relevent qualification. They may not state on there website but a phone call to the admissions of the uni you want to apply for will answer this. (edit: I abviously haven't rang every university just I haven't personally heard or come across one that doesn't)

In regards to not getting onto certain subjects or top ten uni's is Cambridge not classed in the top 10 any more?
http://www.cam.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/apply/other.html

I know students going onto do Law, Maths and Economics on that list.

So I understand most ot that post is your opinion but you speak very matter of fact when it's not. I saw first hand that an A Level student managed to have more experience than a mature student in the relevent field and the mature student used the excuse that A Level students are faviouratised. No they are not. You are on an equal footing regards to Access v A Levels but they don't favour either but take into account ps, experience etc.

Maybe we both have had different experiences of the Access course but most of your points are not fact. There have been student on the Access course who have A levels already but want to do nursing so you need a certain amount of years between A Levels and applying and have done the Access course and said it was much harder whether this was due to a few years out I don't know.
Reply 36
nymeria

For most people Access will be the cheaper, quicker and provide exactly the same opportunities as A Levels.


Pretty much agreed.

While i do accept that universities may 'prefer' A levels to an Access To Higher Education corse, the Access course is still highly regarded.

Since learing of the Access To Higher Education courses, my one concern was the UCAS tarrif equivelent for some jobs, however i am glad that by the time somebody starting university in 2010 or 2011 leaves, it looks likely that there will be a tarrif equivelant.

Anyhow, i have great respect for anybody who has stuck out the course because whether it is easier or not, the workload is huge in comparison to A Levels.
DuckNow
Hope I don't sound rude but if the access course was easy and the degree was hard at first , surely it means that you aren't up to scratch?
If you were too "intelligent" for the access course then playing catch up during the first year of your degree should have been easy:confused: ?


Huh? I never said I was "too intelligent" for an access course. I just said it wasn't ample preparation for an academically rigorous university degree.

As a basic example, throughout my first year at university, there was a lot of times when we had to work out how to convert say, 0.5kg into micrograms or something similar. Everyone who had done A levels already knew how to do this, but it wasn't covered at all in my access course, which is weird as it's such a fundemental part of lab work.

I could make a similar case for molar calculations. Came up all the time at university, never once covered it in my access course, yet all the A level students knew how to do it.

My point has nothing to do with intelligence and everything to do with the fact that access courses (in my opinion) are not sufficient preparation for university study when compared to A Levels.
Reply 38
JohnnytheFox

My point has nothing to do with intelligence and everything to do with the fact that access courses (in my opinion) are not sufficient preparation for university study when compared to A Levels.



Interesting that you say this because I have heard others say that the Access course is more difficult than the first year at Uni.

So I think it goes to show that the course choice and quality of teaching on the Access course is going to play a part.

Did you get offered any additional help with the things you mention at Uni?

For the courses I have researched it seems as though some Uni's offer extra classes or support for mature students in areas like maths.
Reply 39
I completely agree with the original poster, I did Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics in access this year, and I'm about to start a degree in astrophysics. To even be near the same level as A level students I'm having to spend this entire summer off studying nothing but mathematics. Access just doesn't go into those subjects with enough depth at all.

As an example, the last one or two units we did in maths was supposedly A2 equivelent in difficulty, but now that I'm working through A-level books I've realised that it wasn't even at the same level as some of the AS stuff

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