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A one year course, designed predominantly for students with life experience, as a flexible alternative to GCSEs and A Levels.

Overview

This is an ideal way for you to get back into studying and a route into higher education. You will be introduced to the study skills you need, such as note taking and revising, writing essays or reports, and researching topics in the library and on the internet. You will spend time studying alongside other students with life experience who have goals and aspirations similar to your own.

The course aims to provide you with the opportunity to gain the equivalent of at least three GCSEs (Level 2), and two A Levels (Level 3), in under a year. If you are successful you will then have evidence of recent and relevant qualifications, and can make applications for higher education courses at colleges and universities, or improve your employment opportunities. You will aim to complete the Diploma in 30 weeks and the course is flexible, allowing you to juggle your studies around part-time work and family commitments.

You can study for pathways to:

• Education Professions
• Health & Social Care Professions
• Humanities
• Social Sciences
• Vocational Sciences

Course Content

For a full Open College Diploma, you will study a minimum of two Level 2 subjects chosen from:

• Databases & Spreadsheets
• Introduction to Criminology
• Introduction to Computing
• Introduction to Counselling Skills
• Introduction to Psychological Concepts
• Introduction to Sociological Concepts & Perspectives and Practical Skills

plus the mandatory Study Techniques.

In addition you will choose a minimum of two Level 3 subjects chosen from: Care Studies, Policy, Principles and Practice, Criminology, Drugs, Disease and Biological Defences, English Language and Literature, Human Physiology, Psychological Perspectives and Sociological Perspectives, plus the mandatory HE Toolkit.

Other subjects may be offered if there is sufficient demand and any of those above may not be available if too few students choose them.

All students attend a one hour tutorial each week and complete a wider key skill, as well as their main learning goal.

Entry Requirements

• No formal qualifications required
• A commitment and stamina to study a minimum of 450 hours in college and the same again in private study.
• A good level of literacy is also required
• Interview
• Written exercise

Career Progression

Access students have progressed onto higher education courses at Craven College and universities and taken places on programmes such as: Nursing, Combined Studies, Criminology, Diagnostic Radiography, English, Forensic Psychology, Forensic Science, Humanities, International Relations & European Studies, Law, Occupational Therapy, Paramedics, Physiotherapy, Police & Criminal Investigation, Primary School Teaching, Psychology, Social Policy, Sociology, Social Work, Speech & Language Sciences, Sports Health & Nutrition, Volunteering & Community Action and Youth & Community Development Work

Plus enhanced employment potential and career prospects.

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