HE Access Booklet 2024-25

Your pathway to University

STUDY LOCALLY | DISCOVER YOUR FUTURE

ACCESS HIGHER EDUCATION

Access

OUR ACCESS COURSES ARE DESIGNED AS A STEPPING STONE TO ACHIEVE YOUR GOAL TO STUDY A UNIVERSITY LEVEL COURSE. Study locally and work towards your perfect career.

Access courses offer a route to higher education if you have been out of education for some time or left school with too few qualifications to be able to go straight to university.

The course equips you with the knowledge and skills required at university level, so that you are confident and well prepared for higher education.

Access courses are widely recognised by UK universities for entry on to degree-level courses. Last year, over 20,000 Access students achieved their Diploma and progressed to university courses across the UK.*

STUDY ACCESS FOR FREE If you study one of our Access courses using an Advanced Learner Loan and then progress on to a higher education course, your loan will be written off when you complete your higher education qualification. See page 12 for more details. *Source: www.accesstohe.ac.uk

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Access to Higher Education

DID YOU KNOW?

ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION COURSES AT THE BEDFORD COLLEGE GROUP

More than 20,000 Access to Higher Education students apply for degree courses each year.

At Bedford College Group, you can study from as little as 12 hours per week over the year and choose from a wide range of pathways.

Last year 96% of our students progressed to University level.* PERSONAL TOUCH With small class sizes compared to universities and all the individual support you need to get back into education, we will help you succeed and reach your goal.

STAFF EXPERTISE Our experienced staff have been teaching Access and developing the programme over a number of years. Many of our tutors are industry professionals, helping to inspire your learning.

EASY PAYMENT OPTIONS See page 13 to find out more.

UNIVERSITY LINKS We have close links with our partner universities, including the University of Bedfordshire, University of Huddersfield and the University of Northampton, and we liaise with them directly about the entry criteria for applicants and the interview process.

UNIVERSITY LEVEL COURSES We offer qualifications in partnership with local universities. Once you complete your Access to Higher Education course, you can go on to study a higher education course at Tresham College or Bedford College, right through to degree-level in many subjects.

STAY LOCAL RIGHT UP TO DEGREE-LEVEL Staying local while studying will help you reduce your student debt and will also allow you to study alongside other commitments such as family and work life.

*Source: www.accesstohe.ac.uk bedfordcollegegroup.ac.uk

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Future 4

Access to Higher Education

OUR PATHWAYS YOUR OPTIONS

COMBINED SCIENCE Location: Bedford College and Tresham College (Wellingborough).

Cost: £3384 Find out more about our COMBINED SCIENCE courses

Typical units covered:

• Evolution and Ecology • Cells, Tissues, Organs • Digestion & The Liver • Homeostasis • Blood and Circulation • Disease and Body Defense • Microbiology • Mendelian and Applied Genetics • Biomolecules (Biochemistry) • Energy • Drugs and Food Additives • Fundamentals of Chemistry • Periodic Table • Structure and Bonding • Optics and Waves.

You could progress on to study Pharmacy at the University of Hertfordshire, Biomedical Science at Aston University, Pharmacy at Kings College London, Biomedical Science at Anglia Ruskin University and Sport Conditioning, Rehabilitation & Massage at Cardiff Metropolitan University.

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COMPUTING Location: Bedford College and Tresham College (Wellingborough).

Cost: £3384

Find out more about our COMPUTING courses

Typical units covered:

• Computer Architecture • Impact of IT Systems on Society • IT System Security • Computer Networks and Data Communications • Operating Systems and Systems Tools • Data Representation for IT • Systems Analysis and Design Methodology • Designing and Building an IT Software Solution • Designing and Building a Multi-Page Website.

You could progress on to our Computing HNC/HND or study a range of degrees such as Computer Sciences, Computer Networking, Computer Graphics & Visualisations, Software Engineering, Programming Language Theory and much more at other universities.

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Access to Higher Education

HUMANITIES Location: Bedford College.

Cost: £3384

Find out more about our HUMANITIES courses

Typical units covered:

• Literature • The Role & Function of Law • Employment Law • Consumer Law • An Introduction to Microeconomics • Introduction to Cultural Studies • Analysis of a Selected Philosophy • The UK Constitution • Historical Concepts – Cause & Consequence • Trigonometry • Globalisation & Development.

You could progress on to study degrees in Criminal Justice, History, English Language & Literature, Social Work, Teaching, Law, Public Services, Business, International Relations, Film Studies & Media, Journalism, Philosophy, Social Sciences and many more.

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HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCE FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME (BLENDED LEARNING) Location: Tresham College (Kettering).

Cost: £3022 Typical units covered: • Short Fiction • Poetry • Fairy Tales, Folklore and Culture • Creative Writing • Historical Controversy • The Individual in History • Historical Concepts – Significance and Perspective • History – Hidden Voices • Theories of Learning

• Sociology of the Family • Introduction to Criminology • The Sociology of Crime and Deviance • Youth Crime & Youth Justice.

Blended learning

Full-time

Part-time

Past students have gone on to study university courses in a wide range of different subjects, such as: English, History, Sociology, Social Work, Criminology, Journalism, Sport, Film and Media, Law and Politics, Geography, Politics and Fashion.

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Access to Higher Education

DID YOU KNOW?

SOCIAL SCIENCE AND SOCIAL WORK

We offer guaranteed progression on to our Foundation Degrees, HNCs and HNDs following your Access course.

Visit: https://bedfordcollegegroup.ac.uk/ the-bedford-college-group-university-centre/

Location: Bedford College.

Cost: £3384

Find out more about our SOCIAL SCIENCE courses

Typical units covered:

• Introduction to Sociology • Sociology of Family • Social Divisions • Child Development • Introduction to Psychology • Psychology of Health • Criminological Psychology • Social Psychology • Sociology of Poverty • Understanding Mental Health • Sociology of Crime & Deviance • Safeguarding Children from Possible Abuse • Anti-discriminatory Practice.

Past students have gone on to study Psychology at London South Bank University, Government & Politics at the University of Hertfordshire, Economics at Plymouth University, Social Work at the University of Hertfordshire and Criminology with Psychology at the University of the West England. bedfordcollegegroup.ac.uk

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Find out more about our NURSING AND MIDWIFERY courses

Blended learning

NURSING & HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONS (Including Midwifery) FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME (BLENDED LEARNING)

Full-time

Part-time

Location: Bedford College, Tresham College and Central Bedfordshire College.

• Developing Professional Practice • Health Promotion • Understand Mental Health.

Days in College: Dependent on which campus you study at.

Specialist Nursing & Midwifery Units: • Cells, Tissues and Organs • Blood and Circulation • Homeostasis • Nutrition and Digestion • Reproductive Biology • Disease and Defence • Mendelian and Genetics • Drugs and Food Additives.

Cost: £3384 Typical units covered: Health and Social Science units: • Introduction to Psychology • Sociology of Health

Past students have gone on to study Biomedical Science at De Montfort University, Midwifery at the University of Bedfordshire, Mental Health Nursing at the University of the West of England, Nursing at the University of Northampton and Psychology at the University of Leicester.

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Find out more about our PSYCHOLOGY courses

PSYCHOLOGY Location: Bedford College and Tresham College.

Days in College: Dependent on which campus you study at.

Cost: £3384 Typical units covered: • Introduction to Sociology • Introduction to Psychology • The Psychology of Early Socialisation Blended learning

Full-time

• Cognitive Psychology • Bio-Psychology • Social Psychology • Stress Management • Abnormal Psychology • Criminal Psychology • The Psychology of Criminal Investigation • Psychopathy and Therapy • The Sociology of Crime and Deviance • Research Methods in Psychology • Criminological Psychology.

Part-time

You could progress on to our Psychology & Crime Foundation Degree (FdA) or study a degree in a range of psychological fields such as Clinical Psychology, Health Psychology, Counselling Psychology, Legal Psychology or Social Psychology at other universities.

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For 2024, all of our Access courses are £3384, with the exception of the Social Science course which is £3022. However, if you do not already hold a Level 3 qualification (such as two A-Levels or Level 3 BTEC Diploma) and are aged between 19-23, your course will be FREE. If you do need to pay, you may be entitled to an Advanced Learner Loan or you can also take advantage of our Direct Debit option.

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Access to Higher Education

COURSE FEES / FINANCIAL SUPPORT ADVANCED LEARNER LOAN If you are aged 19 or over at the start of your course you can apply for an Advanced Learner Loan to cover your tuition fee through Student Finance England via www.gov.uk/student-finance The loan is designed to pay for part of, or the full cost of, tuition.

You’ll only have to start making repayments after you complete your course and only if you’re earning over £404 per week, £1,750 per month or £25,725 per year. Payments are automatically taken from your earnings through the tax system. If you then go on to complete a higher education qualification after your Access course, any remaining loan amount will be written off.

So if you go on to achieve your goal of university study, your Access course will effectively be free! If you decide not to go straight to university, you’ll only have to start making repayments in the April after you complete your course and only if you’re earning at least £25,725 per year.

DIRECT DEBIT PAYMENT If you choose to pay for your course yourself, we offer an affordable Direct Debit instalments option to spread the cost of tuition fees. Please note an additional £20 charge applies if you choose to pay by instalments.

Find out more about Financial Support

ADULT SUPPORT FUND* This bursary includes support with: • travel • course costs • meals • residential • childcare • additional learning support. *Please see our website for further details bedfordcollegegroup.ac.uk

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How long are the access to higher education courses and when do they start?

Our Access to Higher Education courses start in September each year and take 33 weeks to complete.

Take a look at our term dates for the academic year ahead at www.bedfordcollegegroup.ac.uk/term-dates

What qualifications and/or experience doI need to start?

GCSE English and maths are desirable (except in Engineering where this is essential); however we may consider candidates without these qualifications depending on an English and maths entry test where you will need to demonstrate English and maths skills at Level 2, in addition to interviewing successfully. You will need Level 2 English and maths for entry to most university courses. For more information see ‘How to apply’ on page 18.

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How much time should I allow for studying in and outside of college each week?

Typically you will need to attend College for 13 hours per week over three days. You will also need to commit to undertaking independent study outside of College for at least 12-15 hours per week. Visit our website www.bedfordcollegegroup.ac.uk/access to see what a typical study week will look like for the pathway you are interested in.

How will I be assessed? Are there exams?

We use a range of methods to help you achieve the targets needed to pass the course, including in-class assessments, assignments, individual presentations and an independent research project.

What if I don’t have the entry requirements for the access programmes?

If you do not have any qualifications or do not have sufficient English and maths grades to get you straight on to the Access courses you can start on our Pre-Access course. This is a course that will develop your English, maths and Study Skills. The cost of this course is £250 and is usually run on two days a week.

It is a good confidence builder. bedfordcollegegroup.ac.uk

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WHAT YOU CAN PROGRESS ONTO? LEVEL

LEVEL

3

ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION

4 HNC

TEC Higher National Certificates (HNC) B These undergraduate qualifications focus on industry skills and are valued by employers.

HNCs are mainly assessed through assignments, projects and practical tasks that you complete throughout the course – not usually through exams.

They are designed to lead straight to a career in industry or on to further study at university level.

HNCs take between one and two years to complete depending on the study route you choose, and are generally equivalent to the first year of a full honours degree at university.

You can continue your studies at The Bedford College Group University Centre by moving on to the HND qualification after your HNC.

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Access to Higher Education

LEVEL

5

FdA/FdSc DEGREE Foundation Degree (FdA/FdSc) Foundation Degrees are qualifications that have been developed with employers to advance your skills in a specific industry sector. They are assessed through project work, reports, exams, practical work and presentations.

A Foundation Degree takes two to four years to complete depending on the study route you choose. It is equivalent to the first two years of a full honours degree and, just like HNDs, you will have the option to ‘top-up’ your Foundation Degree and convert it into a full honours degree through an additional year of study.

LEVEL

5

HND/HTQ BTEC Higher National Diploma (HND) HNDs represent the next level of study up from HNCs, taking an additional one to two years to complete, depending on the study route you choose. They are equivalent to the second year of university and you can top-up your HND with a further one or two years of study to convert it to a full honours degree.

Alternatively, a HND is a standalone, recognised qualification that prepares you to progress directly into employment.

Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQ) Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQ) are qualifications approved for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.

These qualifications have been developed in collaboration with employers and businesses so that students get the specific training, knowledge and skills required for their chosen career. These courses are great routes for those who have studied T Levels at College.

LEVEL

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BA (HONS) DEGREE OR BSc (HONS) DEGREE BA and BSc ‘Top-ups’ (from HND or Foundation Degree) In partnership with the University of Bedfordshire, The University of Huddersfield or The University of Northampton, these courses enable those who have graduated with a HND/HTQ or Foundation Degree in some subject areas to ‘top-up’ and achieve an honours degree qualification without the need to take a full three or four year degree programme.

BA and BSc ‘top-ups’ take one or two years to complete.

LEVEL

7

POSTGRADUATE TEACHER QUALIFICATIONS Teacher Training We offer Certificate in Education (Cert Ed) and Professional Graduate Certificate in Education (ProfGCE) qualifications that are designed to build your teaching skills if you’re looking to begin or develop your career within post-compulsory education.

We also offer University Certificates in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) across a range of teaching skill areas, which may be taken as building blocks towards a full Bachelor’s degree qualification.

Our Cert Ed and PGCE courses take one to two years to complete depending on the study route you choose. Each of our CPD University Certificates is offered on a part-time basis via classroom learning, distance learning or through a combination of both, and take a year to complete.

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HOW TO APPLY

Apply now at www.bedfordcollegegroup.ac.uk/access for one of our courses: • Combined Science • Computing • Humanities • Midwifery • Nursing & Healthcare Professions • Psychology • Social Sciences • Access to Higher Academic Study.

You will need to complete an application form online by visiting www.bedfordcollegegroup.ac.uk/access

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VISIT US AT AN OPEN DAY

Once you have applied, if you have Level 2 maths and English, we will be in touch to invite you to an information session with one of our tutors. If you do not currently have Level 2 maths and English you will be invited to attend an English and maths assessment to determine the level you are currently working at before discussing your application with you.

Pre-register at: www.bedfordcollegegroup.ac.uk/events or call us on 0345 658 8990

You’ll be notified of the outcome of your application by a letter and email from the College, which will detail what you need to do next if you have been offered a place.

Access to Higher Education

DID YOU KNOW? You can complete a full degree with The Bedford College Group.

DON’T FORGET! If you take out an Advanced Learner Loan to cover your tuition fee and then go on to complete a higher education qualification after your Access course, any remaining loan amount will be written off!

The Bedford College Group University Centre TBCG_Official https://www.linkedin.com/school/bedford-college-group/ The Bedford College Group Tel (general enquiries): 01234 291000 Tel (course enquiries): 0345 658 8990

DISCLAIMER: While every effort is made to ensure that the information within this guide is correct at the time of printing, some details may be subject to change. The Bedford College Group reserves the right to make amendments to the courses, dates, fees or other details, and to make cancellations or changes if student numbers are insufficient. In the unfortunate situation that we have to cancel a course, we will refund your fees in full, but we regret we are not able to offer any refund if you withdraw from your course or fail to start, and you will be liable to pay any outstanding fees that may be due.