Course Overview

This very popular course is for you if you are over 19 and interested in returning to education with the aim of training to be a teacher but lack confidence because you may not have appropriate qualifications. The Access to HE course is designed to meet your needs by helping you to gain new academic skills and qualifications appropriate for entry to degree level study. You can use the qualification to gain a place at university or to enhance your career prospects (e.g., higher apprenticeships).

You choose a diploma and academic subjects suitable for your career aspiration. All our Access Diplomas are made up of three Level 3 subjects with 45 credits of graded Academic Subject Content (ASC) and 15 credits of ungraded Academic Preparation Skills units (APS) which offer generic study skills to prepare you for higher level study.

On the Education Diploma, depending on the age range you wish to teach, you can therefore choose three from a range of Core Curriculum subjects such as: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Higher maths, English Language, History, Psychology or Sociology. You will also study core compulsory components such as Study Skills, English, mathematics, and ICT.

Assessment Methods

You will produce a portfolio of work over the year including essays, reports, presentations and a research unit. You gain credits for the assignments you do. You accumulate credits towards the diploma. There is a minimum of one compulsory exam unit.

Progression Options

You will receive help and advice with the selection of university and college courses available to you, and with your UCAS application, personal statement, and interview preparation.

You will get lots of help in making decisions about your progression routes.

There are a variety of Higher Education institutions around the South West and nationally offering education or specialist subject Degrees. Alternatively you may want to consider one of the following degree programmes at University Centre Somerset:

·         Health & Social Care Foundation Degree

·         Health & Social Care BA(Hons)

Previous students have gone on to degree courses including: Liberal Arts, English Language and Linguistics, Mathematics, or Primary teaching with QTS

Please note: most university courses require GCSE Maths and/or English. There is opportunity to study both alongside your Access programme if you need to. You may also need to obtain relevant work experience for university entry for teaching degrees.