Access to University (HE)

The course was fast-paced, but there was plenty of support to both develop subject knowledge and academic skills to ensure you kept pace.

Teaching staff were always willing to help wherever required, and the cohort of students were friendly and engaged to learn.

After finishing the Access course, I went on to gain a BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Science and now work as a Microbiology Analyst for a large food production plant.

I left my career due to disability and have always wanted to go back into education. Lincoln College offered a diverse range of modules which would allow me to be able to go to university later this year.

The tutors were fantastic and very supportive. I really enjoyed my time learning with each one of them. They made me remember I am very academically capable.

I recommend being organised from the very beginning. Stay on top of your work whilst it is fresh in your mind. Taking notes digitally also cut down a lot of time when writing up research projects.

My time at Lincoln College has been fantastic. The course itself was easy to fit in and manage around my life as a mature student. After being out of education for so many years, I was initially nervous to return and I have been treated with so much patience and respect. I would 100% recommend taking an access course as a route into higher education.

I choose Lincoln College because I felt they could offer me the correct guidance to learn academic styles and also they had a variety of practical sessions which I feel are really engaging, helping towards getting a grade I wanted to achieve. Lincoln College offers many rooms to be able to study in which is very accommodating for all ages.

I originally started the course back in 2017 at Boston College. I didn't return there as I felt they didn’t offer a different range in teaching style or offer many practicals. Being a learner that achieves better through practicals, this was a key point for me finding the right college.

I enjoyed meeting new people, including my tutors. I’m pleased to be completing the course with grades I never thought I could achieve and the tutors are the main reason for this. They push you in a positive way and the support is phenomenal.

I would say that if you’re going to do the course you have to be committed, everything else outside of the course needs to come second and you have to really dedicate yourself. It’s a fantastic course if you apply yourself! You will get the support you need and also you need be very organised! 

I now have a place secured a place on the BSc (Hons) Nursing (Registered Nurse - Child) at the University of Lincoln.

After researching how I might be able to get on to a higher education course, some of the university websites I was looking at mentioned Access.

When I looked into it, Access sounded like it was right for me, as I could balance my work and study time, and the course was primarily assignment based rather than all exams.

I chose Lincoln College because it was easy for me to travel to and because I had previously studied A Levels there - which I had previously had a positive experience with.

There was never a topic in my English and History classes that I didn’t enjoy or find really engaging.

My tutors, Robin and Amy, were fantastic, supportive, and clearly enthusiastic about their subjects - both having distinct approaches to teaching that meant that learning was never boring.

It’s an intense course but it is by no means unmanageable. I was able to effectively balance my work, study, and leisure time without feeling overwhelmed and I never felt like I was unable to approach my tutors or the college staff if I ever needed help.

My biggest piece of advice is to effectively manage your time (a skill that is crucial for higher education anyway) and always seek help if you need it; it’s not a weakness, it’s a strength.

I will studying a BA (Hons) English Literature degree at Lancaster University.

My experience with Access at Lincoln College is one which has taught me so much and one that I will always remember.

I developed so much as a person and as a learner during my time there, and I have made friendships that I hope will continue through university and beyond.

Overall, Access has put me on the path to the future I wish to achieve for myself.

It gave me access to the law degree that I wanted to follow onto. The staff were also very helpful in pointing me towards the correct resources such as an early start course that I was able to complete to gain access to the programme I am currently on.

Be sure what you want to achieve when you start it can be an intense course but with a goal and the support of the staff you can achieve it!

I have offers from both the University of Leeds and the University of Bristol to study Law.

This course will give me the UCAS points needed for university and the knowledge I need to feel comfortable while I start my journey there.

Being a mature student, I wasn’t sure whether I’d do well at all. I’ve been nothing but pleasantly surprised with myself and I’m grateful to my lecturers for believing in me even when my belief was shaky. 

Make sure that your time management is impeccable. Deadlines can be met, extra reading can be done, it is all manageable if you want it to be. Don’t leave things until last minute or let things pile up. Ask questions if you are unsure of anything, the lecturers are there to help guide you and to help you succeed. Go through the assignment briefs and the criteria with a fine-toothed comb, as long as you hit the criteria, you’ll be winning!

You’ll be fine!!! It’ll seem extremely overwhelming during a couple of points early on in the course, BUT, before you know it, it’ll almost be over, and you’ll be SO proud of yourself and beyond glad you took the leap!