In September, former City College Plymouth student Chloe Shaw started a degree in architecture aged 31.
Chloe was one of tens of thousands of mature students that year to start a university course after completing an Access to Higher Education (HE) diploma. And, like hundreds of thousands of people before her, Chloe is now on course to her dream career via the Access to HE route.
Rachel Feaviour, manager of the Access to Higher Education provision at City College Plymouth, said:
“Society has this idea that you go to university soon after completing A Levels and that this is the only route into many professions. Life doesn’t always work that way, and Access to HE is that second chance.”
Access courses are designed, in particular, for people who did not go to university from school and have been out of education for some time providing a second chance at university and a graduate career.
Whilst nursing, science and social sciences are among the most popular Access courses, City College offers Access courses in business, engineering, computing, law, humanities, social work and creative subjects such as journalism, art, music and games design. They cover the relevant subject knowledge and will help students develop their academic skills, ensuring they are prepared for university.
For those aged 19 to 23 who don’t have a Level 3 qualification, an Access course might be free. All other Access students can apply for an Advanced Learner Loan, which will cover the cost of tuition fees: other financial support might be available depending on circumstances.
Rachel said:
“The term loan can be off-putting, but many don’t realise that if you go on to complete a uni-level qualification, you don’t have to repay the Advanced Learner Loan.
“A lot of people do it for their children; others do it for their partner. But ultimately everyone is doing it for themselves, investing in their futures and succeeding in their chosen career.”
Learn more about Access at the Adult Education Drop-in on Wednesday June 8 from 4.30pm to 6.30pm.
