Whether you’re wanting to return to education, change career or build confidence in your studies, our Access to Higher Education (HE) courses give you the support and preparation you need.
We caught up with some of our Access to HE learners this term to see what their first impressions were, what they hope to do next and why you should study these courses.
Eren, Stephanie and Tawana study Access to Higher Education: Nursing, Midwifery and Healthcare Professions.
Moyosore studies Access to Higher Education: Criminology, Social Sciences and Education.
Why did you pick an Access course?
Stephanie: “I’ve picked the course for personal reasons. Unfortunately, I’ve had a lot of medical treatment and health issues, so I want to be able to portray my experience on to patients and help them going forward.”
Eren: “I picked this course because it fits the role I would like to go into. I want to be a male nurse and having biology, psychology and sociology can really help impact my university application.”
Moyosore: “I picked the Access course as I wanted to gain additional qualifications so that I could go to university.”
Tawana: “I picked this course because I feel like my breakthrough will be going into a Healthcare Department, so Access fits perfectly to give me the skills to become a nurse or a radiographer.”
What do you hope your next steps are?
Eren: “My next steps would be going on to university and studying nursing. Eventually down the line, I would like to specialise in cardiology.
Moyosore: “At university I hope to study Law with International Relations, because I want to change the ways of the world. I also feel that the best way to help a large amount of people would be with Law.”
What are you enjoying about your Access course this term?
Eren: “College has been an amazing place for me. It’s been a really good anchor for my mental health. It’s given me purpose. It’s given me routine. I’ve made friends along the way.
“I’ve become more confident in myself because I was out of education for a while. It’s made me a more confident and academic person, and it just gives me purpose.”
Stephanie: “I’m enjoying all of the course and the College experience so far. It’s nice being a mature student here. As we’re not 16-year-olds, it is fantastic from that perspective because EKC Ashford College is not I would say a typical College. We do get treated as adults and the focus is on our learning too.”
Tawana: “I’m enjoying learning more about what’s happening in the world, and what people are going through, because I’m into current affairs. With our focus on psychology and sociology, you get to learn what is happening on the other side of the country, and what made the world like it is today.”
What were your first impressions of the course?
Moyosore: “My first impressions were that I thought it would be quite complicated because the work was described as being at university level, but actually it’s not been too bad.”
Eren: “My first impressions was that this is a bit challenging. It can certainly seem more challenging at first. It’s quite different than a normal average College course because effectively it is three A Levels packed in like nine months. So it can really challenge you. I think as well, it can also give you the courage to be more academic.”
What’s your advice for new students or those who want to study Access?
Tawana: “My advice would be to just be yourself, enjoy your College time more. Enjoy your time while you’re here in College, don’t overthink your choices too much and just live the way you want.”
Eren: “My advice would be don’t judge the course based on the first few weeks. I think it’s very easy to judge the amount of work you’re given and to get almost like terrified from it because it can be so overwhelming at first.”
“You are given assignments, and it can appear really overwhelming especially for those that come back into education. However, you have the amazing tutors that teach the course. Julianne specifically, she is an amazing teacher. She’s really good. Also, definitely rely on support from those around you such as your friends.”
Thank you to Eren, Moyosore, Stephanie and Tawana for sharing their stories. We can’t wait to see how they progress over the next year.
If you’re interested in changing careers, progressing to university or coming back to education, exploring our Access to Higher Education courses could be your next step.
More articles
Student Photography from EKC Ashford College goes on display at popular Ashford destination
EKC Ashford College plays key role in 200 years of railway celebrations
