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 South East of Scotland. 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 work 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 you 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 contact 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Borders College | 08700 505152 | Participates in SWAP programme. The college runs an Access course for higher education in Nursing in collaboration with Napier University. |
| Carnegie College | 0844 2480115 | As part of SWAP initiative, includes Access to Health and Life Science, Access to Humanities, and Access to Science for Fife and Tayside. Access to Nursing, leading to degree courses at University of Abertay. Links with Queen Margaret University, Napier University and Universities of Abertay, Stirling, Edinburgh and Dundee. |
| Cumbernauld College | 01236 731811 | Access to Social Sciences, within the SWAP programme. |
| Edinburgh College of Art | 0131 2216000 | Provides a summer school programme, which includes a Portfolio Preparation course for students hoping to apply to art college. |
| Edinburgh's Telford College | 0131 5594000 | Participates in SWAP programme and offers various access courses (full-time and part-time), leading to higher education in Arts and Social Sciences, Business, Digital Media, Engineering, Health Related Studies, Information Technology, and Nursing. |
| Forth Valley College | 01324 403000 (Falkirk campus) 01259 215121 (Clackmannan campus 01786 406000 (Stirling campus) |
Participates in the SWAP programme. Access courses for higher education in Computing, Creative Arts, Engineering, Sciences and Nursing (part-time and full-time). |
| Jewel and Esk Valley College | 0131 6601010 | Participates in the SWAP programme. Access courses leading to higher education in Digital Media, Engineering, Nursing, Humanities, Primary Teaching and Community Education. |
| Napier University | 0131 4552266 | Participates in SWAP programme and offers various access courses. Learning Strategies is delivered in partnership in various community settings and aims to provide a stepping stone into higher education. |
| Newbattle Abbey College | 0131 6631921 | Newbattle Abbey College is a residential college and offers a SWAP approved Access to Higher Education course. Successful candidates are guaranteed a place at any of the following universities: Edinburgh, Napier, Queen Margaret and St Andrews. The Award also satisfies entry requirements for the Universities of Aberdeen and Glasgow and many other universities across the UK. |
| 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. |
| Queen Margaret University College | 0131 4740000 | Please contact the University directly for further information |
| Scottish Agricultural College | 0800 269453 | Flexible entry. Clear progression route through certificate, to diploma to HNC/HND and degree. |
| Stevenson College | 0131 5354600 | Participates in SWAP programme and offers several access courses in various subjects – works in partnership with the University of Edinburgh. |
| University of Edinburgh | 0131 6501000 | The Office for Lifelong Learning offers SWAP Access to Humanities/Arts and Social Science. They are also involved in several community schemes for adults with no experience of higher education level work. |
| University of Stirling | 01786 473171 | Participates in the SWAP programme and offers a number of guaranteed places in most subjects for those attending SWAP courses. All students on the university's in-house Access course are guaranteed a place as long as they successfully complete their course. The part-time course, Access to Degree Studies, is aimed at mature students and designed to prepare students for university study. |
| West Lothian College | 01506 418181 | Offers SWAP access course to Higher Education (Arts/Social Science, Divinity, Primary Education, or Community Education); Access to Nursing, which leads to a national qualification. |