[kawaiineko]

Does anyone think it's doable to do an access course with a local college and a fast-track a level in English Lit. via distance learning? I have pretty much no GCSEs due to home schooling and feel like, even as a mature student, they won't look at me too fondly.
My other option is to do 3 a levels fast-track, which I'm worried would be too much. I have to start deciding now, though and most top universities who say they accept access courses also want an a level in that subject, too! >.<

[gtfo]

(Original post by kawaiineko)
Does anyone think it's doable to do an access course with a local college and a fast-track a level in English Lit. via distance learning? I have pretty much no GCSEs due to home schooling and feel like, even as a mature student, they won't look at me too fondly.
My other option is to do 3 a levels fast-track, which I'm worried would be too much. I have to start deciding now, though and most top universities who say they accept access courses also want an a level in that subject, too! >.<

What is it you're looking to do at university?

Over 12 months I did A Level Maths on top of an Access course, and worked full time on the side. The work load was pretty horrific, and I didn't get a very good grade in the A Level. I think I grossly underestimated the amount of work A Level Maths demanded though, if I'd prioritised it more at the start of the academic year I'd probably have done better.

It's unusual that you mention A Level Literature, because several of my Access classmates have gone on to do literature degrees without having an A Level.

[adam271]

Since you do not your GCSEs I would recommend going to a night college and do GCSE English language and GCSE mathematics instead.

[chai wallah]

(Original post by adam271)
Since you do not your GCSEs I would recommend going to a night college and do GCSE English language and GCSE mathematics instead.

This isn't strictly necessary - Access courses include GCSE English and Maths equivalent modules.

[adam271]

(Original post by chai wallah)
This isn't strictly necessary - Access courses include GCSE English and Maths equivalent modules.

Equivalents are a rather murky option, some people accept them, some don't even acknowledge them. If your doing the right access course taking a A-level in English literature should not be necessary. That being said, taking the English literature + access is obviously the best option but it is very hard work. A lot of people underestimate how demanding an access course is, add to that an A-level and you may very well burn out.
I'm not saying you aren't capable of it, but going from no studying to intense studying is very tough.

If your'e taking the correct access course most top universities should accept you. Yea, you will have to cross some off your list but the ones that don't accept the access qualification on its own is a pretty slime percentage. If you phone them up and explain that you are a mature student they may even consider your application without the A-level anyway.


I'm surprised you was able to understand my last post, congrats!

[kawaiineko]

(Original post by gtfo)
What is it you're looking to do at university?

Over 12 months I did A Level Maths on top of an Access course, and worked full time on the side. The work load was pretty horrific, and I didn't get a very good grade in the A Level. I think I grossly underestimated the amount of work A Level Maths demanded though, if I'd prioritised it more at the start of the academic year I'd probably have done better.

It's unusual that you mention A Level Literature, because several of my Access classmates have gone on to do literature degrees without having an A Level.

Well, I want to study English Literature, possibly combined with something, not sure yet.
Is the workload that bad? ;/ If I did either of them it would be the only thing I'd be doing. And with the fast-track a levels we've already figured out how many hours a day would be needed to study.

(Original post by adam271)
Since you do not your GCSEs I would recommend going to a night college and do GCSE English language and GCSE mathematics instead.

I have my GCSEs in English Language and Literature at a good grade. And as the other person mentioned most access courses and their maths equivalent are acceptable

[jami74]

Check and check again entry requirements for the universities you want to go to. More and more universities are now asking for B at GCSE English and Maths. It does vary on the course and the university but for anybody else out there make sure you check with the universities first, do not just take someone elses word for it.

[kawaiineko]

(Original post by jami74)
Check and check again entry requirements for the universities you want to go to. More and more universities are now asking for B at GCSE English and Maths. It does vary on the course and the university but for anybody else out there make sure you check with the universities first, do not just take someone elses word for it.

I've always checked with the universities. York, knowing my history of home education, said they would accept me with my lack of GCSEs and being a mature student. Others, not so good.
I just wanted to know whether it would be difficult to studying just fast-track, or access and a single a level

[adam271]

(Original post by kawaiineko)
I just wanted to know whether it would be difficult to studying just fast-track, or access and a single a level

Difficulty is relative, both options are hard.
3 A-levels fast track will be extremely hard because you will be the only person motivating yourself to succeed. Access + A-level in my opinion will be better for you, as it prepares you better for university. Also lots of other stuff like help with UCAS, degree advice and all the other wisdom a teacher imparts on a student.

I don't know how else to answer your question. You seem like you know what your doing and how to get there.
BTW I'll be doing the access + A-level route September as well, have you started looking over the A-level content yet?

[jami74]

(Original post by kawaiineko)
I've always checked with the universities. York, knowing my history of home education, said they would accept me with my lack of GCSEs and being a mature student. Others, not so good.
I just wanted to know whether it would be difficult to studying just fast-track, or access and a single a level

I wasn't really aiming that at you, I know you have done your homework, just mentioning it because I am sure there will be people who applied to uni on the back of an access course only to get rejected for not having certain GCSEs.

In my experience home educated people are usually pretty good at self-discipline and independant study. You sound motivated enough and I believe that anyone can do anything if they want it bad enough. How difficult it will be will partly depend on your other commitments, if you are also working full time and have children demanding your attentions too it will be a lot harder to juggle everything than if you are able to commit solely to your studies.

[evening sunrise]

I like Adam think that L2 equivalents are a bit murky, especially numeracy v mathamatics and literacy v english language. By the time one has spent a year on Access the course should at least prepare you for GCSEs in maths and english. In your case you have English so thats fine.

If A levels or Access are "the only thing you will be doing" then I cant see a problem. You have the option of doing an Access course or 3 fast track A levels. You indicate that the 3 A level route worries you, which implies you think it will be harder in some way, I think the students on here will confirm that Access is just as much hard work as it is in its self fast track. In your case I would go the A level route, and whether you go A level or Access prepare for and enter for GCSE maths as this will be much more likely to be recognised by a future employer than an obscure L2 equivalent, especially at the tick box stage of initial filtering, which is normally carried out by something akin to a "robot", specified instruction set and little understanding.

You mention top Universities requesting Access and an A level in the degree subject, I have not noted this in the universities we investigated and from one angle if this is true going forward it is a worrying development for the Access route and therefore many mature students, who maybe working in the run up to starting Uni. As the defacto situation is that the universities are implying Access does not cut it on its own. Yet Access plus a fast track A level, plus job / kids or both has only one thing to be said for it, at least the first year at Uni will feel like a nice gap year...

There is one other reason that makes A levels a better option for some career paths than Access, or even straight into a foundation year 4 year degree, and that is you will have UCAS points and it is becoming more common for employers to apply a UCAS tarif points filter in addition to degree classification.....why ? Because there are too many 2.1 a 1st class degrees handed out. This applies when obtaining your first and maybe second position, after that it like your degree classification matters diddly squat in 90% of cases.

[kawaiineko]

(Original post by adam271)
I don't know how else to answer your question. You seem like you know what your doing and how to get there.
BTW I'll be doing the access + A-level route September as well, have you started looking over the A-level content yet?

I have, the AQA marking scheme etc is all slightly confusing. I've read some of the set texts already luckily, slightly relieving but still confused. Though, I did read it all at a silly time, maybe with refreshed eyes it will make sense.

(Original post by jami74)
I wasn't really aiming that at you, I know you have done your homework, just mentioning it because I am sure there will be people who applied to uni on the back of an access course only to get rejected for not having certain GCSEs.

In my experience home educated people are usually pretty good at self-discipline and independant study. You sound motivated enough and I believe that anyone can do anything if they want it bad enough. How difficult it will be will partly depend on your other commitments, if you are also working full time and have children demanding your attentions too it will be a lot harder to juggle everything than if you are able to commit solely to your studies.

Ah, sorry, I tend to get really aggressive with this subject, I didn't mean to snap and seem cold

[edjunkie]

If your Access course is aimed at humanities or social science. Then provided you are disciplined then doing Literature A level should be more complimentary than some other subjects. Your access course should help with essay writing and analysis skills you need for your A level. You may be able to use the study skills sessions to get feedback on your A level work.

The key thing is to prioritise your access course over the a level, because this could be enough for some courses. Then schedule time for your a level study. Assuming you plan to start your Access course in September, you have 3 months to do the required reading for the a level. This would reduce the stress of preparing for the AS in January and the A2 in June. This would also be a good way to prepare you for the Access course.

If the places that you think you want to go to, are suggesting that the A level would be advantageous, then try your best to get it. If you are not prepared to settle for applying to those places which do not specify the literature A level, then you have to go for it. If it looks likely that the workload is too much after the AS, reconsider your options at that point.