Access to HE what to expect at university.

Hello everyone! I'm looking for people who have previously done the access to he course and then completed a university degree. I'm wondering how the transition was and whether there was a big jump from what is required on the access course to studying at university. Also what grades you went on to achieve.

I have completed the access to he law course on the distance learning centre.com and have had my place at Bristol confirmed today. I found the access course relatively straightforward and managed to get 45/45 credits at distinction. My worry is that the jump from access course to degree level study will be massive and that I am ill prepared for the study. Any information, guidance and advice is appreciated.

Reply 1

MindMax2000

Universities Forum Helper

Original post by Jordan8w

Hello everyone! I'm looking for people who have previously done the access to he course and then completed a university degree. I'm wondering how the transition was and whether there was a big jump from what is required on the access course to studying at university. Also what grades you went on to achieve.
I have completed the access to he law course on the distance learning centre.com and have had my place at Bristol confirmed today. I found the access course relatively straightforward and managed to get 45/45 credits at distinction. My worry is that the jump from access course to degree level study will be massive and that I am ill prepared for the study. Any information, guidance and advice is appreciated.

Congrats on the 45/45 distinction.

The format of the degree is somewhat similar to that of Access. However, the content might be somewhat harder.

The first year of uni is supposed to be more difficult than that of the Access course, but I generally found the level of difficulty somewhat similar i.e. not particularly a big jump.

The jump is generally more so between 1st year and 2nd year, and then 2nd year and 3rd year.

Note: I haven't done a law degree, so I might not be the best to comment on the contents of the course.

(edited 1 month ago)

Reply 2

Arden University

Original post by Jordan8w

Hello everyone! I'm looking for people who have previously done the access to he course and then completed a university degree. I'm wondering how the transition was and whether there was a big jump from what is required on the access course to studying at university. Also what grades you went on to achieve.
I have completed the access to he law course on the distance learning centre.com and have had my place at Bristol confirmed today. I found the access course relatively straightforward and managed to get 45/45 credits at distinction. My worry is that the jump from access course to degree level study will be massive and that I am ill prepared for the study. Any information, guidance and advice is appreciated.

@Jordan8w
Hi, I've taught on Access to HE for over 10 years so I can give you an idea of the student feedback we have got when they have graduated from their degree down the line;

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many said that the first year at University was really straight forward and Access had given them a good knowledge base. year 2 is a step up but that is the same for everyone (it certainly was for me!)

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many said that Access had given them strong academic skills in terms of essay writing and referencing which typical A level students did not have

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the majority being older learners (usually only by a few years) felt like their additional life experience helped them handle deadlines and challenges a lot better