[Himynameskiefer]

Hey

This is just a general question in regards to the Access Course (and maybe general qualification, if you will).

Can you take a gap year after achieving the Access Course? Or more so; can you still apply the second year (i.e. if you failed to get in the first time, or if you wanted to take a year out to go abroad, gap year, etc)? Or does the Access to Higher Education Certificate only last for one year? As I know general level 3 qualifications (B-TECHS, A-levels) last generally two years?

If someone could clear this up, I'd be grateful!

To sum it up, could I apply to University after completing my Access Course and having a gap-year?

[jami74]

Can you take a gap year after achieving the Access Course? Yes.

Or more so; can you still apply the second year (i.e. if you failed to get in the first time, or if you wanted to take a year out to go abroad, gap year, etc)? Yes. There were a couple of people at my college who didn't get in last year for whatever reason but managed to get in for this year. Sometimes people don't meet other requirements like work experience or GCSEs or whatever.

Universities want to see 'recent evidence of study', I am under the impression that your access course is probably good for 3 years but I don't remember where I got that info from. I think the important thing would be to make your gap year look relevant so that it strengthens your application. Or, why not apply for deferred entry? That way you still have your college support and resources.

Just out of interest, why would someone want to take a gap year after Access?

[Soule]

(Original post by Himynameskiefer)
Hey

This is just a general question in regards to the Access Course (and maybe general qualification, if you will).

Can you take a gap year after achieving the Access Course? Or more so; can you still apply the second year (i.e. if you failed to get in the first time, or if you wanted to take a year out to go abroad, gap year, etc)? Or does the Access to Higher Education Certificate only last for one year? As I know general level 3 qualifications (B-TECHS, A-levels) last generally two years?

If someone could clear this up, I'd be grateful!

Access course lasts for 5 years, so you can apply to uni anytime in that period, you may even find that the access tutors may still help with your personal statement, I know my tutors have said they would help those who didn't apply to uni this year.

This was posted from The Student Room's Android App on my LT15i

[Himynameskiefer]

(Original post by jami74)
Can you take a gap year after achieving the Access Course? Yes.

Or more so; can you still apply the second year (i.e. if you failed to get in the first time, or if you wanted to take a year out to go abroad, gap year, etc)? Yes. There were a couple of people at my college who didn't get in last year for whatever reason but managed to get in for this year. Sometimes people don't meet other requirements like work experience or GCSEs or whatever.

Universities want to see 'recent evidence of study', I am under the impression that your access course is probably good for 3 years but I don't remember where I got that info from. I think the important thing would be to make your gap year look relevant so that it strengthens your application. Or, why not apply for deferred entry? That way you still have your college support and resources.

Just out of interest, why would someone want to take a gap year after Access?

Financial and experience implications - I have the chance to study the Access Course quite cheaply, and on a night, part-time, therefore keeping my full time job for a good year or two, and saving up - as I need the money. I'd also like to go out, do things, strengthen as much as I can on my application in terms of relevant experience, and just as a general year for myself. The last year I get before I'll be doing a lot of work in terms of qualifications.

EDIT: Also, keeping my full-time job means experience as well as money. Since this is my first ever job, I'd like to have experience on my CV and general application. It's also not a bad job; I'm a Business Managing Assistant, so I'm assuming it would look fairly decent on an application of any kind? Hopefully

(Original post by Soule)
Access course lasts for 5 years, so you can apply to uni anytime in that period, you may even find that the access tutors may still help with your personal statement, I know my tutors have said they would help those who didn't apply to uni this year.

This was posted from The Student Room's Android App on my LT15i

They last for five years? Wow, I never thought they'd last that long since Universities want recent qualifications. Does this count for most level 3 qualifications? Thank you all for your replies!

[jami74]

(Original post by Himynameskiefer)
Financial and experience implications - I have the chance to study the Access Course quite cheaply, and on a night, part-time, therefore keeping my full time job for a good year or two, and saving up - as I need the money. I'd also like to go out, do things, strengthen as much as I can on my application in terms of relevant experience, and just as a general year for myself. The last year I get before I'll be doing a lot of work in terms of qualifications.

EDIT: Also, keeping my full-time job means experience as well as money. Since this is my first ever job, I'd like to have experience on my CV and general application. It's also not a bad job; I'm a Business Managing Assistant, so I'm assuming it would look fairly decent on an application of any kind? Hopefully



They last for five years? Wow, I never thought they'd last that long since Universities want recent qualifications. Does this count for most level 3 qualifications? Thank you all for your replies!

It sounds like you've thought things through and got a good plan.

You'd have to check on the university and course how 'old' they'd accept access courses. Some might be happy that you did one ten years ago if the rest of your application is strong, others might want it far more recent. A good thing to do is to email your university choices and ask them, they're usually really helpful.

[Himynameskiefer]

(Original post by jami74)
It sounds like you've thought things through and got a good plan.

You'd have to check on the university and course how 'old' they'd accept access courses. Some might be happy that you did one ten years ago if the rest of your application is strong, others might want it far more recent. A good thing to do is to email your university choices and ask them, they're usually really helpful.

Yeah, good idea man. I shall do that now! Thanks for your help!

[Wibble99]

I cannot help feel that the best course of action would be to speak to the university you wish to go to and put your questions to them.

The Access to HE diploma may indeed be valid for a number of years, but most universities seem to ask for evidence of recent study; what that means in terms of time, is really a question only they could answer.

As to taking a gap year, as has been said above, you could either apply for a differed place or apply again next year. The danger in applying after a year is that the teachers may have moved onto other colleges, and you would only get a generic reference. By deferring for one year, you will get a reference from someone who knows you, which should have a higher value, and be of more use to you.

One thing I found out the hard way, you will have very little time when the course starts to be thinking of where you want to study and what degree, as well as preparing your personal statement. If I had my time again, I would have sorted out the degree and the university before starting the course and I would have written my PS as well. I would have contacted the university departments and spoke to them about what my options were. I suspect that no two university departments will agree in every detail about what they require, but by doing the leg work now, you have the chance to do a little shopping, and coming up with the best choice for you.

I hope this helps.

[Mister Dead]

(Original post by Himynameskiefer)
Hey

This is just a general question in regards to the Access Course (and maybe general qualification, if you will).

Can you take a gap year after achieving the Access Course? Or more so; can you still apply the second year (i.e. if you failed to get in the first time, or if you wanted to take a year out to go abroad, gap year, etc)? Or does the Access to Higher Education Certificate only last for one year? As I know general level 3 qualifications (B-TECHS, A-levels) last generally two years?

If someone could clear this up, I'd be grateful!

To sum it up, could I apply to University after completing my Access Course and having a gap-year?

my tutor advised me that although they are technically valid for longer, 2 years is the time frame you want to be applying within after doing an access course. So in answer to your question, according to my old tutor, yes, you can take a gap year if absolutely necessarry.

This is what I intended to do. I intended to take a gap year and teach myself A-Level Maths after my Access course. Unfortunately the tuition fees went up and I couldn't afford to do that.

[Mister Dead]

(Original post by Wibble99)
One thing I found out the hard way, you will have very little time when the course starts to be thinking of where you want to study and what degree, as well as preparing your personal statement. If I had my time again, I would have sorted out the degree and the university before starting the course and I would have written my PS as well. I would have contacted the university departments and spoke to them about what my options were. I suspect that no two university departments will agree in every detail about what they require, but by doing the leg work now, you have the chance to do a little shopping, and coming up with the best choice for you

And this is absolutely true. I worked full time and studied full time during my year just to be able to fund it. I didn't even have time to visit Uni's. It worked out pretty well, but it could easily have gone very wrong and frankly could have gone better. Start researching and contacting Uni's with queestions now. Visit the cities etc.

[Himynameskiefer]

(Original post by Mister Dead)
And this is absolutely true. I worked full time and studied full time during my gap year just to be able to fund it. I didn't even have time to visit Uni's. It worked out pretty well, but it could easily have gone very wrong and frankly could have gone better. Start researching and contacting Uni's with queestions now. Visit the cities etc.

(Original post by Mister Dead)
my tutor advised me that although they are technically valid for longer, 2 years is the time frame you want to be applying within after doing an access course. So in answer to your question, according to my old tutor, yes, you can take a gap year if absolutely necessarry.

This is what I intended to do. I intended to take a gap year and teach myself A-Level Maths after my Access course. Unfortunately the tuition fees went up and I couldn't afford to do that.

(Original post by Wibble99)
I cannot help feel that the best course of action would be to speak to the university you wish to go to and put your questions to them.

The Access to HE diploma may indeed be valid for a number of years, but most universities seem to ask for evidence of recent study; what that means in terms of time, is really a question only they could answer.

As to taking a gap year, as has been said above, you could either apply for a differed place or apply again next year. The danger in applying after a year is that the teachers may have moved onto other colleges, and you would only get a generic reference. By deferring for one year, you will get a reference from someone who knows you, which should have a higher value, and be of more use to you.

One thing I found out the hard way, you will have very little time when the course starts to be thinking of where you want to study and what degree, as well as preparing your personal statement. If I had my time again, I would have sorted out the degree and the university before starting the course and I would have written my PS as well. I would have contacted the university departments and spoke to them about what my options were. I suspect that no two university departments will agree in every detail about what they require, but by doing the leg work now, you have the chance to do a little shopping, and coming up with the best choice for you.

I hope this helps.

Yeah. I've started contacting Uni's now, and I got a reply stating that 'The qualification is similar to A-levels. Once you've got it, you've got it'. They stated that it would be absolutely fine for me to take a Gap Year. It would actually be beneficial and strengthen my application if I get valid experience for what I'm studying. So all is good!

Thank you all for your advice!

[gtfo]

(Original post by Himynameskiefer)
Yeah. I've started contacting Uni's now, and I got a reply stating that 'The qualification is similar to A-levels. Once you've got it, you've got it'. They stated that it would be absolutely fine for me to take a Gap Year. It would actually be beneficial and strengthen my application if I get valid experience for what I'm studying. So all is good!

Thank you all for your advice!

I took a gap year after my access course. The only (minor) obstacle I encountered was getting references from my tutors, it's much easier to chase them when you see them in person every day/week

As long as you let them know what your plans are, and stay on good terms with them it shouldn't be a problem. Just be aware that your UCAS application isn't complete until you tutor has attached a reference at their end.

[Himynameskiefer]

(Original post by gtfo)
I took a gap year after my access course. The only (minor) obstacle I encountered was getting references from my tutors, it's much easier to chase them when you see them in person every day/week

As long as you let them know what your plans are, and stay on good terms with them it shouldn't be a problem. Just be aware that your UCAS application isn't complete until you tutor has attached a reference at their end.

Thanks for the advice, man.