If you are interested in progressing to higher education, Gloucestershire College has the right course for you. Our Access to Higher Education Diploma course is specifically designed for mature students who want to go to university. It provides a “second chance” for students who, for a variety of reasons, did not benefit fully from previous experiences of education. Once the course is successfully completed, your achievement is valid for three years so you have the option of applying to university or delaying your application to allow you to gain relevant work experience for your degree. Gloucestershire College offers four different pathways for you to follow on your Access to Higher Education Diploma; your choice will depend upon your proposed future plans for higher education and employment. The four options are: The COMBINED STUDIES pathway is for you if you are interested in studying a wide range of subjects. You may want to study History, English or Creative Writing, Geography, Journalism, Psychology or Sociology (as well as many other options) at university. The course offers students a range of study choices. You will choose three main subjects from Psychology, Sociology, Geography, History, Literary Studies, Chemistry, Physics and Biology (depending on your higher education pathway). The EDUCATION pathway is for you if you are interested in teaching in a primary or secondary school. You may want to specialise in History, Geography, Maths, English or Science at university. The course offers students a range of study options. You will choose three main subjects from Geography, History, Literary Studies, Chemistry, Physics and Biology, Psychology, Sociology and Higher Maths. The HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE pathway is ideal for you if you are interested in studying Nursing, Midwifery, Physiotherapy, Social Care, or Social Work at university. You will take three main subjects: Psychology, Sociology and Biology. The SCIENCE pathway is ideal for you if you want to study a science based course at degree level, such as Environmental Science, Biological Science, Forensic Science, Chemistry, or Animal Science. The course offers students a range of study options. You will choose three main subjects from Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Higher Mathematics and Psychology (depending on your higher education pathway). Whichever pathway you choose, you will get the opportunity to take part in research projects and perhaps organise a work placement in a relevant field (essential for progression to nursing, midwifery, social work and teaching degrees). Upon completion of the course in July, all students will be equipped with the necessary study skills for study in Higher Education as well as gaining qualifications in General Science, Maths and English Language GCSE equivalence. An important element of the course is tutorial support and help and guidance with the UCAS process for university applications. All 4 pathways are offered over our Cheltenham/Gloucester campuses (some science subjects only delivered in Cheltenham) while the Health & Social Care pathway is also offered at our Royal Forest of Dean Campus. Assessment is continuous over the year and usually occurs at the end of each unit (about six weeks of study). Students will also have the opportunity to experience exam conditions in preparation for university. FAST TRACK TO ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION If you and our tutors think the pace and level of learning on Access to HE might be a bit too challenging you might want to consider the Fast Track to Access course which will give you a year to develop your confidence and skills so that you can take up the main course at the start of the next academic year. You will follow Work Skills units which are a great way of building and understanding both personal learning styles and team activities. In order to complete either of the above courses in the one year allocated you will be required to attend college classes for up to 16 hours a week and undertake a similar amount of time of home study. College classes usually begin at 9.30 am and end at 3.00 pm to fit in with school times.

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