Do I need Entrance Qualifications?
For many courses you won’t need any entry requirements. With few exceptions you will be able to participate in shorter community courses and entry-level courses in colleges without holding any previous formal qualifications. If you are a mature student you may also be able to gain entrance to more advanced learning without qualifications by attending an interview with staff at the institution you would like to go to. Colleges and universities will consider employment, voluntary experience, key skills, workplace training, your interests and abilities in addition to your achievements at school when deciding whether to accept you on to a course. You may not need formal qualifications at all, such as with Open University courses.
In most cases colleges and universities look favourably on mature applicants provided you can satisfy the admissions office that you have the ability to complete the course, the self discipline required and sufficient interest in and understanding of the subject
You can also build your learning expertise by completing a lower level course and then working your way up. Almost all courses are designed with an element of progression built in so that an NQ, for example, may lead to an HNC, and an HNC may lead to an HND, which may in turn lead onto a degree. This way you can gain qualifications at every stage of your learning. That is not to suggest that more advanced courses should in all cases be taken, as this may not be appropriate, but that more advanced courses can be taken, and you will find each step more challenging than the last one.
If you plan to go to university, but would like a period of adjustment and skill development you could do an access course.
Access Courses
An access course is usually a course, which can help prepare you for studying at university. You may be able to take an access course at the university you would like to attend or at a college. Some focus on a range of study skills and IT skills, while others are tailored towards specific subject areas, including both academic and vocational courses, but they often link in to the entrance requirements for specific university courses. You should contact the college and/or university you are thinking about attending to see what access courses they offer and find out what courses they may entitle you to apply for entrance to university.
You may also think about contacting SWAP-East who support a number of access courses in Fife and Tayside.
SWAP-East
www.scottishwideraccess.org
The Scottish Wider Access Programme (SWAP) promotes access to higher education for mature students without the required formal entry qualifications. SWAP works with colleges and universities in Fife and Tayside to establish routes for students moving from SWAP access programmes that run in colleges to universities in the area. SWAP programmes are available in specific subject areas and normally involve full-time study over one year.
Phone: 0800 731 0949
What next?
Now that you have explored some of the issues you will have to think about when choosing a learning opportunity you might want to consider where you would like to learn?
Mike Costello
