About the Course

A one year course that is available as a full time day or part time over 2 evenings a week programme.  The course aims to equip learners wishing to study at level three and gain the necessary qualification for entry to higher education, particularly within the health professions, such as midwifery, physiotherapy, nursing etc. The full time day course is held on Tuesday and Wednesday from 09.15 until 16.15 (plus tutorial time which means that you may finish at 5.00 pm on some evenings), for one year and the part time evening course is held on two evenings, which are Tuesday evening at 17.00 - 19.30 and a Thursday evening from 17.00 until 21.00 over a period of one year.  It will be essential that you attend both days/evenings so you will be able to complete the course in the one year. 

Course Content

The course comprises mandatory and subject specific units. The mandatory units are common to all of the Access to Higher Education courses at the College. These units are: Reviewing and Planning for Future Study and Work, Critical Thinking, Independent Project and Dissemination and Using IT to Support Academic Study. The subjects of the day and evening course are: Health Studies - Preventing Illness and Living with Ill Health, Biology - Molecules and Cells, Cell Division and Genetics, Physiological Processes and Human Development - Conception to Early Years, Social and Adult Development.  Pyshchology - Perspectives in Psychology, Social Pshychology and Non-experimental research in psychology,   Study time will also need to be set aside outside of college hours to work on assignments and for additional research to be undertaken. 

Success Story

To say we are better prepared for studying at university than the school leavers is an understatement.  There is no way I would have wanted to begin the intense course I am now embarking on, without having the sound foundation skills provided by the Access course, and in particular City College Access Course.  Having spoken to other mature students on my course it is very apparent that there are vast differences in quality of Access courses.  I feel I have come away with high quality, relevant, life long learning skills and would like to thank you all at City College in providing me with these invaluable tools.

One thing I feel I have to pass on to this year's students is the importance of meeting deadlines.  I feel that last year some students didn't take it all that seriously.  Aiming and meeting deadlines is another skill to learn and take with you to uni.  To not do so is, simply, academic suicide!!  We have been told that if we are 24 hours late (yes, just 24 hours!) submitting an assignment, it will be marked but only with a ceiling mark of 40% (the minimum required to pass).  A total waste of your own time and effort if you have spent ages on a piece of work and then submit it late.  If an assignment is submitted after 24hours of the deadline it simply will NOT be marked, no questions.

I still pinch myself whenever I walk on to the campus here at Southampton Uni and can't quite get over that at the age of 40 I have finally found my calling and feel I am absolutely where I am meant to be and loving it!

Entry Requirements

Students will need to have a good command of English language - (Minimum of literacy level 2).  Depending on the course that you will want to progress to at university, it will be essential for you to have GCSE grade C or above in English and Maths if you wish to study nursing or midwifery - (Literacy and Numeracy level 2 will no longer be suitable).  You will also need to have GCSE Science at grade C or above if you are wanting to study nursing or midwifery.   However, Bournemouth University require GCSE grade B or above for numeracy if you are wanting to study midwifery.  If you want to go on to study Physiotherapy, occupational therapy or podiatry, the University of Southampton do not require you to have GCSE at C or above in English or Maths.  Because entry requirements can differ between universities, it is recommended that you seek advice from the university on the entry requirements to ensure that you will be able to progress once you have successfully completed your Access course,

Where certificates are not available at interview, you will undergo further assessments where you will need to achieve 60% achievement on level two numeracy and literacy tests. These are College specific and are carried out at the interview so that we can check that you can study at level 3. The tests do not replace the requirement to submit the aforementioned GCSE where appropriate. Written personal statements of motivations to pursue the programme and commitment to the time needed for study are also required.

Learning Style

Multiple although in the main: visual and auditory. Within Biology modelling a more kin-aesthetic learning is embraced.

Equipment Requirements

All learners are expected to purchase their stationery. Lists of recommended texts for each subject including the mandatory components of the course are provided. There are some copies of each title recommended in the Central Learning Centre. Learners are also encouraged to apply for support funding in order to purchase books.

Assessment

The course is assessed through final portfolio. Within each unit there are a host of assessment methods including: oral presentation, report writing, essays and short answer questions. The minimum requirement, consistent across the pathways and regardless of the day or evening attendance, is 60 credits, with a minimum of 45 at level 3 and a maximum of 15 at level 2.  Assignments at level 3 are graded at pass, merit or distinction.

Progression

Higher Education particularly those courses within the fields of the Health Professions, such as midwifery, physiotherapy, nursing, health care workers etc

Additional Information

The course will require 90% attendance.

Enrolment Instructions

Applicants who have completed all of the informal assessments, once screened will be invited to a formal interview. Please telephone the Information & Advice Team on 023 8048 4848 to arrange attendance for assessments.

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