If you’re thinking about applying for an Access course the first step is likely to be the hardest: we want to assure you of a friendly response if you pick up the phone and call your local college, or drop by the enquiry desk. Make an appointment with the Access Course Leader or Co-ordinator, who will be pleased to see you and to spend as much time as you need exploring the options and discussing all aspects of the course. There are some questions which come up time and again, and we have tried to provide answers to them here but we’re sure you can think of others!

What does full-time mean?
It doesn’t mean you’ll be in college eight hours a day and five days a week. You may have to attend classes up to about fourteen hours a week, and usually this means a regular three or four days a week in college. All colleges try to be family-friendly and to arrange classes within the hours of local schools, so you can take the children and pick them up.

How about part-time?
It is almost always possible to do the course over two or even three years, studying alongside the full-time students during the day, or some colleges offer evening classes. Ask about this possibility if you have day-time commitments.

My children are too young for school?
Most colleges have a nursery or creche, but the provision and the costs vary, so ask at the college. Where there are charges, some financial assistance may be available, so it is worth asking about this too.

What about travel and carparking?
Again, arrangements differ from college to college. You may be able to use the college bus to get into college (though its hours will be arranged to suit the standard college day, and there is likely to be a charge). Some colleges have lots of parking, some are under pressure, but all will recognise the difficulties for mature students and will try to help.

Will I have to do homework?
The short answer is yes! You will probably spend as much time studying at home as you do in class. There will be study skills classes to help you get back into the way of studying efficiently. If you find it difficult to study at home, you could schedule some regular time in the college library or resource centre.

Do I need qualifications to get in? Will I have to do a test?
Access courses really are open to all, and you don’t have to have GCSEs, or any paper qualifications to do one. All the colleges will ask you to do is to fill in an application form, once you have decided this is the course for you, and some may ask you to do a short piece of written work. This is not to see if you are up to the course, but to see if there is any extra support that can be provided for you.

What if I’m on benefit?
The rules relating to state benefits are complicated and also subject to change. The best source of advice is Student Support at the college, who will deal with your query in confidence.

There’s this long list of subjects and I don’t really know what they all are?
You wouldn’t be the first student who confused philosophy and psychology, and it’s much better to ask than to risk finding yourself in the wrong class! Don’t be afraid to ask as many questions as you need to make sure you are on the right course. Some colleges offer short pre-Access courses or other provision for ‘tasters’ in Access subjects.

Will it be like school?
Only if your school was a really friendly place! Classes are generally smaller, and will be informally arranged, with lots of opportunities for group-work and discussion. The tutors are used to mature students and enjoy teaching them.

Are there exams?
Not often and not straight away. However, the course is intended to prepare you for higher education (university-level courses), so it would be letting you down if it didn’t give you some experience of doing assignments under exam conditions. The staff try to lead you up to this gently and take the anxiety out of the experience as far as possible. Mostly your course will be assessed on work which you do in your own time (coursework).

What if I fail?
Every effort will be made to ensure that you do not get to the end of the year and then suddenly find you have failed the course. You will be doing work for assessment from early in the course, and if you are having problems every effort will be made to ensure that they are picked up and you will receive advice on what you need to do to pass next time. It may be that you are not ready for an Access course, and if this is the case, then the college will aim to find you a more appropriate course: colleges have preparatory courses, for example Bridge to Access courses, which can lay the foundations for Access study. Colleges also have Academic Support units, where you can get specialised one-to-one help with specific problems, e.g. essay-writing or dyslexia.

What happens if the children are ill?
If you are unable to attend college, either because of your own illness or a child’s, then the important thing is to let your tutor know at once, and to discuss strategies for keeping up with the work. Usually work can be sent home, and you will find tutors are prepared to be flexible over deadlines provided you ask as soon as you realise you have a problem. If your absence goes on longer than a couple of weeks, then you may need to think about rescheduling, for example completing the course over two years instead of one. The essential thing is to stay in contact with your tutor.

Can I take my holidays in term-time?
If you haven’t booked yet, then it is better to avoid missing term-time if possible. The course is very intensive and you risk getting behind. However, we realize you may already have arranged to go away, or may be unable to avoid term-time, and if this is the case, then speak to your tutor and subject lecturers well in advance so that you can plan your work ahead and avoid missing assessment deadlines.

I want to be a nurse / a teacher / a computer engineer. Is the Access course the right one for me?
The Access course prepares you to succeed in higher education (degree level studies). So it is good preparation for any of these professions which require further specialised study. Some colleges have named pathways such as ‘Access to Nursing’ where there will be an appropriate range of subjects and you may have work experience arranged.

But I don’t know what I want to do after the Access course?
Access tutors are fully clued up about what is on offer both locally and further afield. They are also able to refer you to careers advisers. You will get plenty of advice on making choices, filling in forms, going to interviews and other aspects of moving on to higher education.

What if I’m not British?
Students from the EU can attend college on the same terms as local students. If you come from outside the EU then it is best to enquire about your liability for fees from Student Support in the college. If English is not your first language then you will be assessed to see if you can cope with the Access course. Some colleges have special Access modules for bi-lingual students, and all of them provide extra support for students for whom English is their second or other language.

I have a criminal record: does this mean I can’t do an Access course?
Not necessarily but it will be up to each college to assess your individual case. Speak (in confidence) to the Access course leader or to Student Services and they will do their best to help.

What shall I do now I have read all these questions and answers?
Phone the college and ask if you can talk to someone about doing an Access course!