Access courses
Access courses usually refer to courses that can help prepare you for studying at higher education level. Such courses may be run by universities or colleges on their campuses or within the community. The term 'access' can mean something different depending on who or which institution you are talking to. It is always best to contact the individual institution to discuss exactly what they can offer you.
What sort of 'access course' and where?
There is a wide range of access courses available throughout the Fife and Tayside area. Some access courses focus on a range of study skills and IT skills, as preparation for study at a higher level (this might be at a college or university). Others are tailored towards specific subject areas, including both academic and vocational courses. Some of these courses and the qualifications awarded may link in to the entrance requirements for specific university courses. As the format and timing of these courses vary, you are advised to contact individual institutions for detailed information.
The Scottish Wider Access Programme (SWAP) promotes access to higher education for mature students without the required formal entry qualifications: some of Scotland's Colleges and a number of higher education institutions working together to establish routes into higher education for students moving from SWAP access programmes to university. SWAP programmes are available in specific subject areas and normally involve full-time study over one year. They prepare for study at higher education level.
Contact individual colleges to find out which SWAP courses are available and which routes into individual universities they can map out for you or phone the SWAP-East office directly: 0800 7310949.
What questions should I ask?
Before contacting individual institutions you might want to think about the questions that might be relevant to your own educational needs and personal circumstances. For example:
- Is the course full time or part time?
- How long does it last?
- How much does it cost and is funding available?
- Is the course a stepping stone to higher education?
- Is the course designed to replace or enhance previous qualifications for entry to higher education?
- Does it guarantee a place on particular courses at specific institutions?
- Regarding course content, does the course focus on general study skills or is it subject specific?
- What sort of additional support is available - for example, childcare or expenses?
Access courses at Scotland's Colleges and higher education institutions
| Institution | Telephone | Information |
|---|---|---|
| Adam Smith College | 0800 413280 | Participates in the SWAP programme with access courses in Nursing, Humanities and Science. Also offers full- and part-time access courses across disciplines including Arts, Social Sciences, Education, Computing and Construction. |
| Angus College | 01241 432600 | Participates in the SWAP programme. Offers full-time access to Arts and Social Science, Teaching, and Mechanical Engineering. |
| Carnegie College | 0844 2480115 | As part of SWAP initiative, it offers one year full-time Access courses in Health and Life Sciences, Humanities and Science. Links with Queen Margaret University, Napier University and Universities of Abertay, Stirling, Edinburgh and Dundee. |
| Dundee College | 01382 834800 | Participates in the SWAP programme, within which it offers a number of Access courses (e.g. Arts and Social Science, Architecture, Information Technology, Nurse Midwifery Education, etc.). It traces ‘Progression Routes’ from access courses to higher education courses in a large range of subjects. Guaranteed entry to specific courses at the Universities of Dundee, Abertay and St Andrews. |
| Elmwood College | 01334 658800 | Participates in the SWAP programme. Offers National Certificate Access to Degree Programme: one year full time; no entry requirement.
Guaranteed places at Dundee or St Andrews Universities. |
| The Open University in Scotland | 0131 2263851 | The Open University is a distance learning institution that offers introductory courses to prepare for further study at higher education level. Its Openings courses are designed for adults who have no educational qualifications or have not studied for a long time. |
| Perth College | 01738 877000 | Participates in the SWAP programme. Offers full-time Access to Science-, Technology- and Health-related degrees; Nursing and Midwifery; and Social Science. Access to Creative Art, Design and Media (subject to approval). 'Pathway to Medicine' option, with articulation route to degree course at St Andrews University. |
| University of Abertay Dundee | 01382 308000 | The University recognises SWAP courses. Offers part-time Access course, the Access to Higher Education at Abertay Dundee (AHEAD) programme, which includes IT and study skills. It is designed to enable entry to Abertay University and may allow entry to degree level programmes at other institutions. The University holds a Summer School to prepare less well qualified students for their first year on a course at Abertay. There is also a Bridging Programme, which is designed for mature students returning to education, or for those moving from Further to Higher Education. |
| University of Dundee | 01382 383000 | The University recognises SWAP courses. Offers an 'Introduction to Arts & Social Sciences', which acts as an access course for other universities and to areas such as Law and Education and Social Work in the University of Dundee. The University holds a Summer School for students lacking university entry requirements; full time for 10 weeks leading to guaranteed undergraduate place. Free to EU participants. |
| University of St Andrews | 01334 476161 | The University recognises SWAP courses. It works with colleges to provide flexible routes, e.g. 'Access to Medicine', in partnership with Perth College. The University holds a full-time summer school: 'Head Start Study Programme', designed for students who have already been offered an undergraduate place at St Andrews. |
Summer schools provide an opportunity to study a course intensively over a short period of time, usually over several weeks during the summer.