Access course or Fast track A levels?

OP

Hi, thanks for the reply, would you recommend doing the fast track a levels or the access course?

Reply 3

harrysbar

21

Original post by Lucasdahlin

Hello!
I’m 23 and I’ve been out of schools since 18.
It’s now time for me to go back and get a degree.
I didn’t complete my A levels as I moved to Sweden. I didn’t finish my education there either!
So now I’m in a bit of a pickle. I can either choose an online based Access to engineering course through LearnDirect, or a Access to combined science course through a local-ish college. I want to pursue a degree in either computer science or engineering.
Any help would be appreciated.

I would do the Access to combined science course through your local college - online based may not offer the support you need plus fast track A levels are very intense.

Reply 4

OP

Original post by harrysbar

I would do the Access to combined science course through your local college - online based may not offer the support you need plus fast track A levels are very intense.

Sweet dude that’s what I was thinking, thanks.

Reply 5

random_matt

Some Access courses can get you an advanced learner loan.

Reply 6

ajj2000

Please check university requirements. In general I would recommend access courses. Its not the same for engineering and to a slightly lesser extent for computer science. Universities - and certainly the more competitive ones - seem more reluctant to take them. I think this is because the maths covered isn't as rigorous as A level maths. Some will allow you onto a foundation year with an access course though which might attract?

Reply 7

OP

Original post by ajj2000

Please check university requirements. In general I would recommend access courses. Its not the same for engineering and to a slightly lesser extent for computer science. Universities - and certainly the more competitive ones - seem more reluctant to take them. I think this is because the maths covered isn't as rigorous as A level maths. Some will allow you onto a foundation year with an access course though which might attract?

Do you think it would be possible to do a combined science access course and fast track a level maths? I’m looking at working 2 days a week so I’ll have 4-5 days of being able to focus on studying

Reply 8

ajj2000

Original post by Lucasdahlin

Do you think it would be possible to do a combined science access course and fast track a level maths? I’m looking at working 2 days a week so I’ll have 4-5 days of being able to focus on studying

What was your previous level of maths? Had you studied some of the A level syllabus before and then moved countries?

First thing to do is to think of a number of universities you might be interested in, then check their websites for requirements and then email to check if they would accept this. I would also make sure that the access course you are doing is acceptable to them. Most universities state the number of credits you need overall and at level 3 and how many of these need to be in maths - therefore you need a course which covers enough maths.

Personally I think it would be hard to do maths A level in one year from a standing start and get a good grade. Depends if you have some specific talent for it / have covered the material previously.

Reply 9

OP

Original post by ajj2000

What was your previous level of maths? Had you studied some of the A level syllabus before and then moved countries?

First thing to do is to think of a number of universities you might be interested in, then check their websites for requirements and then email to check if they would accept this. I would also make sure that the access course you are doing is acceptable to them. Most universities state the number of credits you need overall and at level 3 and how many of these need to be in maths - therefore you need a course which covers enough maths.

Personally I think it would be hard to do maths A level in one year from a standing start and get a good grade. Depends if you have some specific talent for it / have covered the material previously.

Yeah so I’ve done around a year of a level maths, but this was 4-5 years ago and I’ve not retained much of it. There’s a college about 1.5 hours away that offers a science and math access course which I believe the uni I’ve looked at accepts. But I’m trying to save having to have to travel 3 hours a day.

Reply 10

ajj2000