Need advice on Access courses. Beware the wall of text!
Hey all,
I've been interested in getting back into education for a few years but wanted to wait until something really grabbed me, and while I've been thinking of the same subject (Computer Science) I've been held back by which particular field of CompSci. In the past few months I've been giving it real thought and have decided on almost everything, unfortunately my grades are against me.
Backstory
(Skip to "The Problem" if you don't feel like reading! Or the tl;dr for the nutshell explanation)
In school I was bullied quite significantly, and my mothers epilepsy often played on my mind causing a lot of anxiety. As a result I went from being a student with 100% attendance, to an insular person who rarely went into school. Academically I was fine, but any level of competency displayed in class or during exams is negated rather quickly when you have done about 20% of the coursework through the year! As a result, I could spell "FUDGE" with my grades (the U came from my English Lit exam, in which I did not attend due to a very nasty stomach bug!) and promptly left education. A year later, in 2008, I studied Music and Production at Newcastle College, which I did for two years, achieving a BTEC First Diploma at Merit, with two Key Skills in English and Math (level 3 and level 2 respectively). I didn't take the Key Skills modules very seriously because, like, I'm here to make music, man.
Anyway, the point of this being I have a level 2 qualification and now, at 25, I'm looking to get back into education, with a view to continue studies at University. I did the research, found the courses I wanted to do (Maths, Physics, and IT), and then went over to Student Services to discuss my options where they confirmed that I had in fact selected the best route for my needs and to come along to the open day.
So off I go to the open day only to discover the pathway I wanted to be on had been cancelled due to the course content being too difficult, though the maths module was not preparing people for HE suitably enough, and that I should do a Business pathway because "it has IT in it" (Statistics, Business and IT).
The Problem
I have asked the Universities and they suggested that if I were to go this route, it's unlikely I would be accepted as they would prefer I have 15 credits in Math, and 30 (Distinction level) in another subject - preferably Science, and that the Statistics course the college is running, would be a very poor grounding for the more standard branch of maths I would inevitably be studying.
Now emailing the college, I've been told I outright would not be accepted onto the Engineering pathway due to the lack of GCSEs (regardless of the level 2 qualification) and that I'd have to "wait and see" about any additional courses they may be running. Given that it's now March, I'm starting to get a bit nervous about "waiting and seeing" as a strategy.
This whole situation has left me very confused and jaded, and I'm not sure where to go from here. I could redo my GCSEs but that would be an extra year out (plus a further two for A Levels, or one for Access assuming they're even still doing it), meaning I'd be entering a career path which often favours the younger man, and there's also the fact that I'm now caring for my mother so I simply would not be able to afford to resit my GCSEs (£798 for ICS for Maths and Science, or about £66.50 monthly - not including the cost of exams), to then hopefully get funding for further studies.
I'm at a loss. I've emailed the other local colleges and they're all reading from the hymn sheet of the "Entry Requirements" and not answering the question of "with what I have, can I get in?". I almost feel like giving up at this stage.
Any ideas on my options?
tl;dr: Failed GCSEs due to various circumstances, now I may or may not be able to get onto the course I need regardless of previous qualifications. Need advice.
PS: Sorry for the long winded life story rant, this has been building up for a few weeks now and I'm at my wits end.
I've been interested in getting back into education for a few years but wanted to wait until something really grabbed me, and while I've been thinking of the same subject (Computer Science) I've been held back by which particular field of CompSci. In the past few months I've been giving it real thought and have decided on almost everything, unfortunately my grades are against me.
Backstory
(Skip to "The Problem" if you don't feel like reading! Or the tl;dr for the nutshell explanation)
In school I was bullied quite significantly, and my mothers epilepsy often played on my mind causing a lot of anxiety. As a result I went from being a student with 100% attendance, to an insular person who rarely went into school. Academically I was fine, but any level of competency displayed in class or during exams is negated rather quickly when you have done about 20% of the coursework through the year! As a result, I could spell "FUDGE" with my grades (the U came from my English Lit exam, in which I did not attend due to a very nasty stomach bug!) and promptly left education. A year later, in 2008, I studied Music and Production at Newcastle College, which I did for two years, achieving a BTEC First Diploma at Merit, with two Key Skills in English and Math (level 3 and level 2 respectively). I didn't take the Key Skills modules very seriously because, like, I'm here to make music, man.
Anyway, the point of this being I have a level 2 qualification and now, at 25, I'm looking to get back into education, with a view to continue studies at University. I did the research, found the courses I wanted to do (Maths, Physics, and IT), and then went over to Student Services to discuss my options where they confirmed that I had in fact selected the best route for my needs and to come along to the open day.
So off I go to the open day only to discover the pathway I wanted to be on had been cancelled due to the course content being too difficult, though the maths module was not preparing people for HE suitably enough, and that I should do a Business pathway because "it has IT in it" (Statistics, Business and IT).
The Problem
I have asked the Universities and they suggested that if I were to go this route, it's unlikely I would be accepted as they would prefer I have 15 credits in Math, and 30 (Distinction level) in another subject - preferably Science, and that the Statistics course the college is running, would be a very poor grounding for the more standard branch of maths I would inevitably be studying.
Now emailing the college, I've been told I outright would not be accepted onto the Engineering pathway due to the lack of GCSEs (regardless of the level 2 qualification) and that I'd have to "wait and see" about any additional courses they may be running. Given that it's now March, I'm starting to get a bit nervous about "waiting and seeing" as a strategy.
This whole situation has left me very confused and jaded, and I'm not sure where to go from here. I could redo my GCSEs but that would be an extra year out (plus a further two for A Levels, or one for Access assuming they're even still doing it), meaning I'd be entering a career path which often favours the younger man, and there's also the fact that I'm now caring for my mother so I simply would not be able to afford to resit my GCSEs (£798 for ICS for Maths and Science, or about £66.50 monthly - not including the cost of exams), to then hopefully get funding for further studies.
I'm at a loss. I've emailed the other local colleges and they're all reading from the hymn sheet of the "Entry Requirements" and not answering the question of "with what I have, can I get in?". I almost feel like giving up at this stage.
Any ideas on my options?
tl;dr: Failed GCSEs due to various circumstances, now I may or may not be able to get onto the course I need regardless of previous qualifications. Need advice.
PS: Sorry for the long winded life story rant, this has been building up for a few weeks now and I'm at my wits end.
(edited 9 years ago)
Scroll to see replies
Original post by Erestyn
I've emailed the other local colleges and they're all reading from the hymn sheet of the "Entry Requirements" and not answering the question of "with what I have, can I get in?".
I have to be honest, from what you've described, the answer you've had is "No". Beyond that, it seems to me that some of your contacts are confusing the issue by trying to be non-comittally encouraging.
The majority of uni degrees these days require Grade C English and Maths GCSEs as a baseline for applicants, even from mature entrants. More specialist courses may also need others. Access courses are not accepted as an equivalent of GCSEs.
Some colleges allow you to study for GCSEs at the same time as an Access course, but it sounds like your college wants them as a pre-requisite for the Access course. So your first focus is to determine what GCSEs are required - for both the college Access course and then the subsequent degree - and get those.
Klixx88 is right. You will need the GCSEs for university entrance.
Have you tried Gateshead college? I did an access course there a couple of years ago and there were some people doing maths/english GCSEs along side the access course. There was also the option to the access course part time, so you can get started on part of the access course while getting your GCSEs out of the way. They did change the format of the course after i left, so i don't know if this is still an option.
Have you tried Gateshead college? I did an access course there a couple of years ago and there were some people doing maths/english GCSEs along side the access course. There was also the option to the access course part time, so you can get started on part of the access course while getting your GCSEs out of the way. They did change the format of the course after i left, so i don't know if this is still an option.
Are you sure you can't get funding for your GCSEs?
You said you have a BTEC in music.. is it in level 3? if it is, then go to uni straight away
Avoid Access course at all cost. It is wrong and disorganised. I'm currently failing because of the countless feuds i have with tutor bearing in mind i have severe depression.
With the GCSE's issue, force them.. i've been to colleges where i dont have the necessairy gcse requirement but i still i get onto the course. even the access course im currently i dont have the gcse requirement (i have no gcse in maths and the course required that)
Look your too old to go uni, i understand your pain (i was bullied at school to death) but now that your 25 maybe you should do a-levels but privately or in an adult college. Just don't touch access courses unless you describe yourself as a motivated social chameleon guy.
Avoid Access course at all cost. It is wrong and disorganised. I'm currently failing because of the countless feuds i have with tutor bearing in mind i have severe depression.
With the GCSE's issue, force them.. i've been to colleges where i dont have the necessairy gcse requirement but i still i get onto the course. even the access course im currently i dont have the gcse requirement (i have no gcse in maths and the course required that)
Look your too old to go uni, i understand your pain (i was bullied at school to death) but now that your 25 maybe you should do a-levels but privately or in an adult college. Just don't touch access courses unless you describe yourself as a motivated social chameleon guy.
(edited 9 years ago)
Why do you need to be a social chameleon to do an Access course??
Have a word with other colleges, a lot will let you do GCSEs alongside an Access. Are there any that do the science pathway? I'm doing chemistry, maths, biology and psychology so you'll have your maths as well as a science subject. It's hard but achievable.
Worst case scenario is doing GCSEs this year and then Access next. I'm not sure but think your college will do them for free.
It's not ideal adding another year on, but if it's what you want it'll be worth it. Plus you could work a lot and get some savings ready for uni.
Posted from TSR Mobile
Worst case scenario is doing GCSEs this year and then Access next. I'm not sure but think your college will do them for free.
It's not ideal adding another year on, but if it's what you want it'll be worth it. Plus you could work a lot and get some savings ready for uni.
Posted from TSR Mobile
Also, O.Ozz, I know you've been having a hard time at college and I'm sorry for that, but it's really unfair to try to discourage other people from following their dreams.
25 is far from too old to go to uni, and lots of people with all sorts of personality types do well on Access courses and go on to achieve good things.
Posted from TSR Mobile
25 is far from too old to go to uni, and lots of people with all sorts of personality types do well on Access courses and go on to achieve good things.
Posted from TSR Mobile
Original post by Farmerjojo
Have a word with other colleges, a lot will let you do GCSEs alongside an Access. Are there any that do the science pathway? I'm doing chemistry, maths, biology and psychology so you'll have your maths as well as a science subject. It's hard but achievable.
Worst case scenario is doing GCSEs this year and then Access next. I'm not sure but think your college will do them for free.
It's not ideal adding another year on, but if it's what you want it'll be worth it. Plus you could work a lot and get some savings ready for uni.
Posted from TSR Mobile
Worst case scenario is doing GCSEs this year and then Access next. I'm not sure but think your college will do them for free.
It's not ideal adding another year on, but if it's what you want it'll be worth it. Plus you could work a lot and get some savings ready for uni.
Posted from TSR Mobile
What college are you at? I want to do an Access course with GCSE Maths but I don't know where will let me do the Maths for free. Also how are you funding the Access course?
Original post by purplehedgehog11
Why do you need to be a social chameleon to do an Access course??
trust me, if you have to have a personality to do a access course.. Education is not just about work, its also about friends...
I forgot how social inept i was due to my anxiety hence im seen as the loner in my course and it can be painful to be a loner
And dont think about doing an access course, you will end up doing 12 assignments in a month
(edited 9 years ago)
Original post by O.Ozz
trust me, if you have to have a personality to do a access course.. Education is not just about work, its also about friends...
I forgot how social inept i was due to my anxiety hence im seen as the loner in my course and it can be painful to be a loner
And dont think about doing an access course, you will end up doing 12 assignments in a month
I forgot how social inept i was due to my anxiety hence im seen as the loner in my course and it can be painful to be a loner
And dont think about doing an access course, you will end up doing 12 assignments in a month
Sadly I know from personal experience that it is really difficult to succeed in education if you're a socially inept and/or an outcast but I think your negativity is unhelpful here (Farmerjojo I wanted to give you a rep but TSR says I've given out too much rep in the last 24 hours... erm I've only repped one person lol).
Original post by Farmerjojo
Also, O.Ozz, I know you've been having a hard time at college and I'm sorry for that, but it's really unfair to try to discourage other people from following their dreams.
25 is far from too old to go to uni (Anything over 21 is already too late), and lots of people with all sorts of personality types do well on Access courses and go on to achieve good things.
Posted from TSR Mobile
25 is far from too old to go to uni (Anything over 21 is already too late
), and lots of people with all sorts of personality types do well on Access courses and go on to achieve good things. Posted from TSR Mobile
I think i have said it before on this forum, everyone needs to go to uni but to do it so late is detrimental because education is also about being social. it may be hard for a 35 year old to hang out with 18 years olds.
I know this, I can say whilst i'm still doing my course and i'm planning to university of northampton this september, it has given me mental problems and some days i can have my darkest moments. To even go to uni at 20 for me would be embarrasing because 80% of students with be 18.
Anyway my main issue is that assignments are really intensive and im advising people to steer away from access course. You should only do the course if your REALLY MOTIVATED.
I dont know my current situation with my course atm, i so far have 6 credits which is disapointing at this stage and i have to go uni, because i'm lacking in friends everyday and my parents are bullying me.
Over a quarter of all uni students are over 21. Even more in some unis and some courses. Apart from anything else, if you only mix with people your own age you're going to be very lonely!
University is not for making friends (although it's a big part for a lot of people), it's about qualifications. You can make friends anywhere without having to borrow thousands of pounds.
As for Access courses, they're hard work but so is uni. I've managed to get all my work in, hold down a job and run my own part time business. I'm busy but it's not impossible. If someone can't cope with Access they'll not cope with uni. It's not 12 assignments a month, or anything near that. I imagine if you start to get behind they'll build up and might end up with 12 in at any one time, but if you do a bit of work every day it's fine. The most I've had due in at one time is 3.
From your other posts, I suspect you're finding it hard because of other things in your life which is affecting your thinking. I know you're reluctant to seek help, but do understand that your experiences are massively influenced by your state of mind, and not representative of the facts.
Posted from TSR Mobile
University is not for making friends (although it's a big part for a lot of people), it's about qualifications. You can make friends anywhere without having to borrow thousands of pounds.
As for Access courses, they're hard work but so is uni. I've managed to get all my work in, hold down a job and run my own part time business. I'm busy but it's not impossible. If someone can't cope with Access they'll not cope with uni. It's not 12 assignments a month, or anything near that. I imagine if you start to get behind they'll build up and might end up with 12 in at any one time, but if you do a bit of work every day it's fine. The most I've had due in at one time is 3.
From your other posts, I suspect you're finding it hard because of other things in your life which is affecting your thinking. I know you're reluctant to seek help, but do understand that your experiences are massively influenced by your state of mind, and not representative of the facts.
Posted from TSR Mobile
Forgot to answer what college I'm at, sorry! It's East Durham in Peterlee. Fairly near you, but there should be closer ones.
Posted from TSR Mobile
Posted from TSR Mobile
Original post by O.Ozz
I think i have said it before on this forum, everyone needs to go to uni but to do it so late is detrimental because education is also about being social. it may be hard for a 35 year old to hang out with 18 years olds.
I was an undergrad from 44-47 and I got on very well with the 18-22 year olds in my cohort. Certainly we weren't best mates and I didn't go out partying with them, but I found their company energising and inspiring. I enjoyed their company enormously and generally had a very positive experience being a member of a community which was much younger than those I'd previously been used to.
I would certainly encourage anyone of any age to be involved in education at any level they feel comfortable with.
It hasn't been detrimental to me - I went on to complete a Masters and start a PhD. I have enjoyed myself and found it very fulfilling.
I know this, I can say whilst i'm still doing my course and i'm planning to university of northampton this september, it has given me mental problems and some days i can have my darkest moments. To even go to uni at 20 for me would be embarrasing because 80% of students with be 18.
Realistically, you're talking about your own experience and not a general one. Given your personal and health problems, it has been an unfortunate time of your life and I am very sympathetic. However yours is a very atypical experience for precisely the reasons you give.
Going to uni at 20 and over is simply not "embarrassing" for the majority of people. I think that you may be extrapolating from your own attitude in a general and inappropriate way.
Anyway my main issue is that assignments are really intensive and im advising people to steer away from access course. You should only do the course if your REALLY MOTIVATED.
Certainly motivation is key and nobody would deny that Access courses are very hard work for the majority of people. However you cannot advise everyone "to steer away from access courses" on that basis. Many people are able to cope with the workload and will succeed - otherwise Access courses would cease getting applicants and would not be running.
I'm very sorry that your own experience has been so negative, but you have a very specific set of personal, health and family issues which have conspired to make your Access course study very difficult. It is not the case that others are likely run into the problems which you have.
Original post by Farmerjojo
From your other posts, I suspect you're finding it hard because of other things in your life which is affecting your thinking. I know you're reluctant to seek help, but do understand that your experiences are massively influenced by your state of mind, and not representative of the facts.
I know, you think i should be sectioned lol..
no seriously, i understand what your saying and i do agree with you to an extent but i can not let people enter an access course, not properly informed about the dark side of the content.
Original post by Klix88
I'm very sorry that your own experience has been so negative, but you have a very specific set of personal, health and family issues which have conspired to make your Access course study very difficult. It is not the case that others are likely run into the problems which you have.
I understand and i agree with you to an extent but people have to know the dark side about access courses and what they are getting themselves into. Even if i passed the course, i would still be telling people to 'steer away' because the stress is unbearable.
There is someone in my course who lost the plot and left the course. I don't know about his personal life but he is now mad. like litterally, he doesnt come out of his house,and the tutors and students think this is because of the access course. So what im trying to say is that people need to be aware before they sign up.
(edited 9 years ago)
Original post by Erestyn
This whole situation has left me very confused and jaded, and I'm not sure where to go from here. I could redo my GCSEs but that would be an extra year out (plus a further two for A Levels, or one for Access assuming they're even still doing it), meaning I'd be entering a career path which often favours the younger man, and there's also the fact that I'm now caring for my mother so I simply would not be able to afford to resit my GCSEs (£798 for ICS for Maths and Science, or about £66.50 monthly - not including the cost of exams), to then hopefully get funding for further studies.
Original post by O.Ozz
I understand and i agree with you to an extent but people have to know the dark side about access courses and what they are getting themselves into. Even if i passed the course, i would still be telling people to 'steer away' because the stress is unbearable.
There is someone in my course who lost the plot and left the course. I don't know about his personal life but he is now mad. like litterally, he doesnt come out of his house,and the tutors and students think this is because of the access course. So what im trying to say is that people need to be aware before they sign up.
There is someone in my course who lost the plot and left the course. I don't know about his personal life but he is now mad. like litterally, he doesnt come out of his house,and the tutors and students think this is because of the access course. So what im trying to say is that people need to be aware before they sign up.
You have a very warped view about Access courses and what age is considered old.
I'm 25, have a full time job and have a home to run and I would definitely recommend the access course! It helps build your confidence and shows you how much you're capable of. The workload is pretty relentless but it's worth it, nothing in life that is truly worth it will come easily. For example, I'm near the end of my access course with only 3 assignments to go and I've just been offered a place with a top university. I've worked so hard to get onto the course and I'm sure if you show as much determination, you will go far 
best of luck!
best of luck!Quick Reply
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