College level qualification - Online studying help

Hi,
I’m 17 but turn 18 in September. I’m autistic and was only diagnosed at 16 after having mental health issues since I was around 12. I was a high achieving student in primary school but couldn’t handle the transition to secondary school (socially) due to my undiagnosed autism and left school at 13. I became housebound with ocd and had little to no interaction with the outside world for the next 2 years. When I was 15 (nearly 16) I was taken on at a local PRU (pupil referral unit) for anxious non- attenders and was able to study maths and english GCSE’s online, but when it came to the exam the stresses became too much and I fell ill meaning I was unable to achieve the qualifications I had expected and hoped for.
This period of deterioration in my mental health lead to a short admission to hospital last October but since then I have worked to improve my mental health greatly, and going to university has always been an aspiration of mine. So I am now curious, I would like to study law at university, preferably Edinburgh, Leeds or somewhere in Wales. But I obviously do not have the qualifications I need but would like to achieve them so was looking here to seek some advice.
I want to do a course/qualification at college level that would enable me to be able to apply for university but would be self lead from home, all online. I know there is Access to Higher Education courses but are they efficient in gaining a university place alone? Also, where would I enrol?. I have seen places like learn direct and open study college (for a level equivalents) but the reviews are really mixed, and a lot of other sites that seem to be recognised are for 19+ with people having life experience as an add on.
I’m just wondering is there a way for me to higher access education online, but still be able to gain qualifications that are eligible for university applications.

Hi there (:
it sounds like you've faced a lot with incredible strength, you should be really proud of yourself for pushing through and now looking to into higher education! 💜
Option wise, as you were mentioning there are gcses & a-levels where you would be able to study the material at your own pace and book exams privately at an approved centre near you, these are a pretty good option for getting those qualifications in an environment your comfortable in and would provide the flexibility of doing these qualifications from home, I would also expect that you would be able to ask about exam conditions at these centres beforehand to organise any support to make the process easier, such as any extra time you qualify for or prepahaps a smaller room with just you and the invigilator - would still be the same conditions so that the exam was fair but would give you more oppourtunities to preform to the level you capable to without the pressure of the exam hall (: - I think a lot of these courses do cost money to take online but if your able to they would be a good option!, you would have to ensure its equivalent to those studied in schools and colleges, and they’re recognised by universities and employers. your always able to contact the admissions departments of unis to confirm entry requirements and if this would be the case- theres usually an email avaible on their websites for these types of questions (:
As you mention, you have access to higher education courses, its best contacting the universities before enrolling to see if this place & qualification would be accepted & if there would be anything extra you would need to have including this, if you contact them directly they will also be able to take into account any personal circumstances. - your also able to do the same with the higher education courses, if you directly contact them and explain your circumstances, although its usually 19+ they may be able to make an expection.
there are also foundation Year Degrees – Some unis offer foundation courses that lead into a full law degree. These are designed for people who don't have traditional qualifications and would be applied to via ucas - I would expect for these you will still require qualifictions but these are always a pathway you would be able to work towards where the entry requirements are usually lower than your usual ones for law and would allow you to experience how that university runs so you can get a feel for the place and the learning strucutre to see if its right for you before starting the degree (: - these are usually a year and would help to patch up any gaps you might have missed and prep you for the course!
You’ve already working really hard to get to where your wanting to go and with that determination you’re more than capable of succeeding at this! <3, Whether you go the A-Level or Access route, both are great- just make sure the path lines up with the specific universities’requirements and don’t be afraid to contact their admissions teams; they’re used to helping students with all sorts of situations and will be more than happy to explain any other routes that may be avaible! (:
wishing u the best of luck!!! 😊
Emily
Year 3, Chemistry
Official University Of Strathclyde Rep

Also if theres anything else - please dont be afraid to pop another mesage on here!! always up for a chat, I didnt do a law degree myself but Im always up for answering any questions on general uni life & the exeprence as it is pretty different both socially and also education-wise from school! (:

Hi,
I’m 17 but turn 18 in September. I’m autistic and was only diagnosed at 16 after having mental health issues since I was around 12. I was a high achieving student in primary school but couldn’t handle the transition to secondary school (socially) due to my undiagnosed autism and left school at 13. I became housebound with ocd and had little to no interaction with the outside world for the next 2 years. When I was 15 (nearly 16) I was taken on at a local PRU (pupil referral unit) for anxious non- attenders and was able to study maths and english GCSE’s online, but when it came to the exam the stresses became too much and I fell ill meaning I was unable to achieve the qualifications I had expected and hoped for.
This period of deterioration in my mental health lead to a short admission to hospital last October but since then I have worked to improve my mental health greatly, and going to university has always been an aspiration of mine. So I am now curious, I would like to study law at university, preferably Edinburgh, Leeds or somewhere in Wales. But I obviously do not have the qualifications I need but would like to achieve them so was looking here to seek some advice.
I want to do a course/qualification at college level that would enable me to be able to apply for university but would be self lead from home, all online. I know there is Access to Higher Education courses but are they efficient in gaining a university place alone? Also, where would I enrol?. I have seen places like learn direct and open study college (for a level equivalents) but the reviews are really mixed, and a lot of other sites that seem to be recognised are for 19+ with people having life experience as an add on.
I’m just wondering is there a way for me to higher access education online, but still be able to gain qualifications that are eligible for university applications.

Hi,
I’m 17 but turn 18 in September. I’m autistic and was only diagnosed at 16 after having mental health issues since I was around 12. I was a high achieving student in primary school but couldn’t handle the transition to secondary school (socially) due to my undiagnosed autism and left school at 13. I became housebound with ocd and had little to no interaction with the outside world for the next 2 years. When I was 15 (nearly 16) I was taken on at a local PRU (pupil referral unit) for anxious non- attenders and was able to study maths and english GCSE’s online, but when it came to the exam the stresses became too much and I fell ill meaning I was unable to achieve the qualifications I had expected and hoped for.
This period of deterioration in my mental health lead to a short admission to hospital last October but since then I have worked to improve my mental health greatly, and going to university has always been an aspiration of mine. So I am now curious, I would like to study law at university, preferably Edinburgh, Leeds or somewhere in Wales. But I obviously do not have the qualifications I need but would like to achieve them so was looking here to seek some advice.
I want to do a course/qualification at college level that would enable me to be able to apply for university but would be self lead from home, all online. I know there is Access to Higher Education courses but are they efficient in gaining a university place alone? Also, where would I enrol?. I have seen places like learn direct and open study college (for a level equivalents) but the reviews are really mixed, and a lot of other sites that seem to be recognised are for 19+ with people having life experience as an add on.
I’m just wondering is there a way for me to higher access education online, but still be able to gain qualifications that are eligible for university applications.