Access to HE – Full-time

Who will the course suit?
This course would suit anyone looking to gain the skills, knowledge and a recognised qualification to progress onto a Higher Education course in University or College.  Most Access to HE learners are adults who are returning education after a period of time.  

What are the entry requirements?
This is a LEVEL 3 Course.

Every college course is given a level 1(lowest) – 5 (highest). This level helps you know what the entry requirements are and if it will be suitable for you. For part-time courses it also indicates the amount of study involved – for example an introductory course would be a lower level if there is not much extra study involved.

To do any Level 3 course you should have:

• At least 4 GCSEs grade A* - C, ideally including English and Maths.
• Or an equivalent qualification such as BTEC First Diploma, GNVQ Intermediate or NVQ 2.

However, adults do not always need these qualifications, but need enough skills to deal with the course.

Please note that sometimes, even if a learner has the entry requirements for a Level 3 course they will start on a Level 2 course. This happens in practical subjects. This is because learners will need to develop practical skills to a certain level before they can attempt a Level 3 course in these areas.

For all full-time courses and some part-time courses you will be invited to have an informal interview with the tutor. On all courses that interview, a successful interview is also an entry requirement for the course.

In the interview the tutor will see whether you have the potential to progress on the course. It is also a chance for you to find out more about the course.

To do this course you will also need:
determination to succeed and an appetite for hard work – the Access Course is one of the most demanding and intensive courses.

How long is the course?
This course is run on a full-time basis over 1 year.

When will I be in College?
You will be in College for 16 hours over 3-5 days.  Days and times depend on the choice of subjects being taken.

How much study is involved?
There will be 16 hours study in College per week, and an equal amount of home study is required.

What will I study?
This is dependant on individual choice and the progression route you would like to take after this course.  It helps if subjects are relevant to your progression route you have in mind.  If you do not have a specific progression route in mind, pick the areas you most like the look of.  Your Course Tutor will help you with this.

There are two elements to the course, the core subjects and the optional subjects.
The Core subjects are compulsory for all learners.  These include:

• English (including Communication)
• Maths (called Application of Number)
• IT
  These must all be achieved at Level 2 at least. 
  
• Individual Extended Study
  This must be achieved at Level 3.

These optional subjects give you a chance to choose your ‘Main’ subjects.  You will choose 3 optional subjects from a list which currently from a list which currently contains:

• Social Work
• Film Studies
• Literary Studies
• Psychology
• Sociology
• Criminology

These optional subjects run depending on numbers. 

How will I be taught?
You will be taught in teacher led classes, which are friendly and informal.  Learners also undertake an equal amount of directed self study.

How will I be assessed?
There are no exams, but your work is assessed continuously and credits are gained. 

What opportunities will the course provide me with?
The course will give you the academic skills and the formal qualification you require to progress onto Higher Education in University or College.  Learners gain an insight into a variety of subject areas and support is offered to those learners wanting to apply for University.  Most learners who successfully complete the course go onto university to study for a degree in the subject(s) they are most interested in or which will qualify them for a particular career. 

How much will it cost?
All full-time FE courses are FREE, whatever your age or the course.
All you pay is £10 registration fee to the College.
 
All learners have the opportunity to apply for funding. This can cover the cost of the course and any additional costs that may be incurred from attending a course, such as travel, childcare or kit. To find out more, see the `Support for you` section of `Barry College - The Guide 2008-2009`  or the `Support for you` pages of the Barry College website.
 
How do I apply?
To apply for this course you need to complete an application form. You can download this from the Barry College website, by going to www.barry.ac.uk/apply. Or, you can request an application form from Student Services by phone - Tel: 01446 725007, or by visiting any Barry College site.