This course is designed to enable you to proceed to university in order to undertake initial teacher training (ITT) or other related degrees. It is an academically demanding course with a heavy emphasis on you being able to write with accuracy and with insight on academically challenging topics. As such, you will need to already possess well developed writing skills before applying for this course.

Certain units are mandatory whereas others are optional. This gives the course a degree of breadth and scope to enable you to ‘tailor’ your unit choices to best fit your intended degree.

Students helping to support in classrooms
  • What you will study

    The course is broken down into manageable units focusing on giving you the study skills and knowledge required for university, perfect for those who have been out of education for some time. Units include:

    • English
    • Education
    • History
    • Sociology
    • Psychology
    • Politics
    • Study skills
  • Entry Requirements

    Requirements:

    • You must be aged 19 plus
    • Proficiency in written and spoken English
    • GCSEs - grades A* - C / 9-4 or Functional Skills Level 2 or recognised non-UK GCSE equivalencies in English and maths preferred; however, each applicant will be considered on an individual basis
    • Selection by interview, initial screening, literacy and numeracy tests

    Please note: We do not insist that applicants already have classroom experience, but the universities will most certainly require this. It is therefore advantageous for the student to gain this experience within the early weeks of the course to satisfy university entry requirements.

  • Assessment

    Most units are assessed by way of an extended essay Other units will require you to conduct an oral presentation on an educational issue of choice; others will require you to write an academic report on an educational issue Exams

  • Moving Forward

    The course has an enviable track record of progression to the BA (Hons) Primary Education, BA (Hons) Education Studies and BA (Hons) Childhood Studies degree courses at a range of universities. It is also eminently possible to use this course as a means to progress to a stand-alone, subject degree to then embark on the PGCE teacher training qualification thereafter: many past students have opted for this route.

  • Duration

    1 Year

  • Cost and Loans

    The Advanced Learner Loan is available for this course

  • Independent Learning/Overall Workload

    Access is an intensive study programme; you must be completely committed to hard work and are required to maintain 100% attendance You are expected to self-study for a minimum of 10 extra hours a week to manage strict work deadlines and to cope with the workload

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Student Support

Starting college can be a giant leap if you have just finished school or are returning to education after a few years. We will make this transition as easy as possible, providing all the support you need to settle in

Financial Support

We are committed to supporting students in order for them to overcome any financial barriers to learning.

Term Dates

Key term dates and opening times