Just wondering what you all think of the diff in A level applicants and Access Health course. applicants. What do you all feel about the admissions stats in this respect?

I don't know what the stats are for other uni's. I know access courses come quite far down the list for entry requirements for our uni, but the majority of our cohort were access course peeps.

The cohort was originally made up of:

18 access course 'graduates'

7 a-level entrants

2 post degrees

1 NVQ

1 Open University

Most of us are mature students, who got in via access courses at different colleges/campuses. There is a small proportion of younger students. The age range is 19 to 50.

Most of us still remain, we lost a few and have had three return from deferral.

I think the access course is good prep for uni, but it is a lot harder. I certainly was glad did it, though there are some in our cohort with the opinion (wrongly) that it is not adequate (I hasten to add the essay results speak for themselves!!!)

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Hi thanks for the reply, its interesting isnt it! there are all sorts of rumours going around my college; like you wont get in if you have a young family, one minute they prefer Access students the next minute they are out of favour due to a high drop out rate???.........Does my head in to be honest, and can be disheartening.......Im trying to ignore them all and remain focused on what i really want to do

Very good philosophy!

Our cohort has halved during the 3 years , some have dropped out due to family commitments, but others just couldn't hack it! It seems that mature students are more likely to return after deferral and stick the course than younger ones with little responsability (yes I know it isn't the same for everyone, but in general this appears to have been the case in my cohort!).

Lots of girls have had to deal with major issues during their training and have still stuck at it - no matter whether they did the access or A levels, so your own commitment is the key, not how you got the qualifications!
KS

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Kentish Spitfire
Moderator, Student Services
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"It's better to be thought a fool - rather than proved a fool!"

I'm doing/done access but I also did AS levels... College V Sixth form.. Sixth form was such a breeze!!! Yes there was pressure on certain grades, but to be honest, it was much more of a socialising place and you just happened to have classes... too much like school.. I've found college quite difficult... though that could be because of my other commitments(3 yr old, 30 hour working week, NVQ3 and planning a wedding!) but I certainly feel the work is more relevant to midwifery.. the question is though.. if you knew what you wanted to do WHILE studying a levels.. you'd prob choose more relevant ones??? Dunno.. I like my access and the way i've studied about 8 subjects instead of only 3....

As for not getting in with a young family.. I have a place for September and I've got a 3 year old.

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Ignore these rumours definately. Those leaving have left for many different reasons. From serious illness to deciding it wasn't for them. As for young families, most of us have youngish children, some were as young as six months old. The younger girls have more problems than us 'mature' ones, they have transport and money problems and I admire them for carrying on, it seems they have it much harder than we do!

The access versus A-level debate will always continue, ultimately it doesn't matter, it simply depends on how the individual applies themselves and some luck too!!!

TBH the family, money thing is a difficult one, harder still though is everything else. I think that if you really want to do something and try your very best, then anyone getting onto the course will succeed, JMO.

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All really helpful posts, and are helping to restore my faith that i WILL get in one day thanks guys,
I also have A levels did them about 9 years ago, started a computer science course in uni.......sooo the wrong choice for me, i dropped out, I was too immature and used the uni to socialise not work.. oops
Personnaly I feel that the Access course prepares you for uni better than A Levels.

Feeling Much more positive now

Don't let anyone put you off you dream.

I didn't do the 'progression course' I went straight onto the 'Access to Nursing Midwifery and Healthcare' course. I think its quite challenging. My human phys Tutor said he teaches the exact same course as A level over 2 years so its a bit more intense.

It was made very clear to me that Midwifery was very competitive and I wouldn't say I was encouraged at my interview but my tutors have been very encouraging since I started.

I am a single mum with 3 young boys at home (9,6 and 16 months). I live miles away from my family but I have managed to get by with the support I do have locally. There have been moments where I've struggled (mainly childcare issues) and started to doubt I could cope at Uni. But I have got though this year so far and next year will be easier in a lot of ways as I have already overcome a lot of hurdles and have measures in place.

At Preston the Access courses are no longer being financed so next year its been replaced with BTEC

Locally there is also year zero at UCLan which is an integrated foundation year. I don't know too much about it but I've heard on the grapevine they have finished for this year and only have some course work left to hand in - no exams!. I don't know how much truth is in that though.

I wish you luck in whichever you chose.

x

Oh did i mention I'm 40. I thought that would go against me too.

Well, I did A Levels and went to uni to do Applied Biological Sciences but am now doing an Access course because it's been so long since I graduated.


I can say with some confidence that Access really does better prepare you for university. I did four A Levels but still it was a breeze compared to Access. Plus, even though I have a degree, I still find the assignments are stretching me so they are definitely not too easy or inadequate for university.

Also, at the Cardiff uni open day last summer I spoke to a lovely student midwife, although she came in through the A Level route she said that at Cardiff they really respected the Access course and thought it was a better preparation for midwifery than A levels.

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Mum to two beautiful boys.
Student Midwife 2008!!
Student Midwife University Student Representative