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Advice for: Students, Parents and Carers | College Applicants | Apprentices
Updates: Colleges & Business Units | Commercial Outlets and Nurseries
Advice for: Students, Parents and Carers | College Applicants | Apprentices
Pathways are made up of courses focused on future careers or further education opportunities
We offer a variety of pathways, tailored to your individual needs, allowing you to broaden your horizons and raise your aspirations. These courses are designed to further you academically but also support you in your journey, promoting a great student experience.
Our courses are highly regarded within the academic community; you will have the opportunity to receive support and advice around applying and accessing university.
Our Careers team will be on hand throughout the year to assist you with any queries you may have and we often have university ambassadors visiting to give you guidance.
Our Access courses are portfolio-based, allowing you to complete extended research and gain a thorough understanding of your chosen topic, without the requirement to sit any end-of-year exams.
Come and study in this outstanding department to fulfil your ambitions!
Our Access to Humanities and Health Professions teams have knowledgeable and experienced teaching staff:
Any questions?
People are complex and there is no such thing as a silly question. If you want to speak to us about Access, have a look around the campus or want help with your application, please just contact the College and we will be only too happy to help.
Students that have successfully completed Access programmes with us have gone on to study higher education at a variety of local and national universities and institutions such as the University of Kent, Canterbury Christ Church University, University of Cambridge, the University of Greenwich, Kingston University and London South Bank University.
Access students have progressed onto further studies in areas such as:
Q: Can I go to university without A Levels?
A: Yes, the Access course allows students over the age of 18 who do not have sufficient academic qualifications for entering university to complete the required studies.
Q: How long does the Access course take?
A: We start in September and you’ll be finished by the end of June the following year, starting university in September of the same year.
Q: Is the Access course worth the same UCAS points as A Levels?
A: In short: yes. An Access course has 45 credits awarded at Pass, Merit and Distinction, these range between 48 and 144 UCAS tariff points, depending on your grade profile.
Q: What is the difference between Access and A Levels?
A: There is no difference between the qualifications in terms of allowing you to enter higher education. However, the Access course is structured differently to A Levels and there are no final public exams to sit. You will learn through discussion and debate, rather than just from textbooks. Crucially, Access takes 1 year rather than 2, so it’s pretty intense.
Q: What GCSEs do I need to study on the Access course?
A: This depends a little on which course you would like to study at university. Generally, you need to have a full Level 2 qualification, which means 5 or more GCSEs at good grades. However, your current academic understanding and ability is much more important than your previous achievements. Just talk to us to discuss your specific circumstances.
Q: How much does the Access course cost?
A: The Access course is usually free for students under the age of 24. If you are over 24, you can apply for an Advanced Learner Loan, which will cover the course costs. This loan is not means-tested and will not need to be repaid as long as you enter university within 5 years of completing the Access course and finish your chosen degree. Find out more here: https://www.gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan.
Q: Can the College help with costs?
A: Yes. We have a College bursary to help with transport, childcare or other costs. Check your eligibility with our College Services Team and collect a form.
Q: Can I work while studying on Access?
A: Of course, though don’t overload yourself with your studies, job and any other responsibilities you may have. The majority of our students opt for part-time employment.
Q: Why are there different Access pathways?
A: The Health Professions pathway focusses on students who wish to enter a career in medicine, be that as a nurse, midwife, physiotherapist, paramedic or in any other health related field. You will study Biology on this pathway, so it is also the right choice for anybody wishing to study sciences at university.
The Humanities pathway is a little broader and allows each student to explore their own interests in a variety of fields within Sociology, Psychology, Criminology, Anthropology, Arts, History and Literature.
Q: How many days do I need to be in College?
A: You will usually be in College for 3 days per week for your Access course. It is absolutely essential that you attend all of your teaching sessions.
Q: I’m over 30 – is it too late for me to do an Access course?
A: Absolutely not! There is no age limit to studying on Access and we welcome mature students.
Q: I’ve not had the best of times at school and am feeling anxious about being in a classroom again. Should I apply for Access?
A: Yes! Your lecturers have a lot of experience and understand the courage it takes to resume your education after a time out. Our campus, workshops and classrooms are welcoming and supportive and we have a zero tolerance on any form of bullying, harassment or abuse.
Q: I’m not sure what I want to do at university – what can I do?
A: We will provide you with lots of opportunities to speak to different universities and lecturers in order to help you to make the right choice. We also have an excellent Careers Advisor in College who can support you and put you in touch with the right people. Our guest speaker programme will allow you to meet professionals from a range of backgrounds and we will visit both Canterbury universities together to give you an idea about the life as a university student.
If you know exactly which course and level you need to apply for, or want more information, please select from the options below:
How Access helped me find my dream career
I joined the Healthcare Professionals Access course as I had been to a uni open day and was interested in studying occupational therapy. The Access course is excellent, and the lecturers are extremely supportive and invested in making you succeed, which is probably why they have such a high success rate.
Continue reading here
Access to Health students dissect lamb hearts
Access to Health students dissected lamb's hearts as part of their biology study on the course. They went through the different arteries and created diagrams before and after the dissections. The students said they found it interesting and informative.
Lynn Barr
Access to Higher Education, me … and you!
It is quite possible that twenty-two years ago, in 1998, I was in a similar situation to yours, right now. I had left school at sixteen with pretty good qualifications – not maths though! I was working part-time for the Social Services Child and Adolescent Protection team, as well as in primary schools with vulnerable children. I loved my job, but to further my career I needed to gain more qualifications and go to university.
Read more about Lynn's journey here.
We'd love to hear from you
Maison Dieu Road
Dover, Kent
CT16 1DH
Telephone:
01304 244332
Email:
dover@eastkent.ac.uk