Access to Social Work
- Key course features
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Qualification: OCN LR Diploma (Social Work)
Level: Level 3
Mode: Full-time
Timetable: This is a full time programme of study of 13 hours per week at college. You will receive your timetable when you enrol.
Start Date: *START*
Fees:*HF+* including tuition and exam fees. The course may be free if you are:
- aged under 19
- aged 19-23 and do not already have a full Level 3 qualification
- aged 19-24 and have Additional Learning Support needs over £6,000.
If you are 19-23 and already have a Level 3 qualification, you will pay 50% of the course fees plus registration and exam fees.
If you are over 24 you may be eligible for a 24+ Advanced Learning Loan which will be written off when you complete your degree.
Please see our Fees and Concessions page or call 020 8326 2015 for further details.
- Who is this course for?
- Access courses are intensive, demanding one-year courses designed for mature students (aged 19+) who want to gain the study skills and academic knowledge required for university-level study. You will attend college up to 16 hours per week and you should plan for a roughly similar amount of independent study. If you work or have childcare/other responsibilities, you must put arrangements in place to enable you to meet the full demands of the course. You should have relevant, recent work experience (or you will be expected to find a regular work placement before the course begins).
- Entry requirements
You do not necessarily need previous qualifications, as we will take your life experience into account. However, before you apply, please note that this is a very demanding course, equivalent to an A-Level programme, so you will need to have a good level of literacy and numeracy (GCSE grade A-C standard) in order to succeed. You will have an initial assessment to assess your suitability for the course. If successful, you will be invited for an interview. If you are not quite ready for the Access course we may offer you another course that will prepare you for the Access course.
You will need to have a CRB check for this course.
If you need advice before you apply, please call 020 8326 2020 or email ciag@west-thames.ac.uk.
- About the course
All students study the following core subjects:
- English
- Maths
- Sociology
- Social work theory and practice
- Psychology
- Study skills.
The course is designed for adult learners and is taught by tutors who have experience with and are sympathetic to the needs of people returning to study after a long break. You will attend classes for 36 weeks during the year for a maximum of 13 hours per week. You should, however, plan for a roughly similar amount of unsupervised study. You will not be timetabled in college during the normal school holidays. You will usually be in a group of 20-22 adult students and will participate in a variety of group and individual activities.
- Additional opportunities
- It is essential that you undertake work experience or voluntary work outside curriculum hours. This will support your application to university.
- How will I be assessed?
Your development and progress in the course will be assessed on a regular basis both informally and formally. You will receive regular feedback from your tutors about your progress.
The assessment procedures vary from module to module and so will depend on what you are studying; there will be some set essays, coursework projects, and tests throughout the course. All of the modules use continuous assessment processes, which means that there is no dependence on final examinations (except for GCSE English).
As you go through the course you will know whether you are meeting the requirements or not, and you will be given opportunities to catch up and make good any problems.
- Where next?
- On completion of this course you will receive an OCN LR Diploma. You may progress to an HND or a degree programme at university. Previous students have gone on to study many types of higher education courses, including BA degrees in sociology, social administration, social policy, law, psychology and social work.
- How to apply?
- To apply, please click the "Apply Now" button and fill out the online application form. An advisor will be in touch regarding interview dates.
Soundbite
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Christopher Cooke
“The Access to Nursing course was packed with interesting and relevant information related to the nursing industry and gave me the skills and confidence to continue my education. My lecturers were supportive, inventive, and clearly understood the profession we were looking to enter. I’m now studying Adult Nursing at Bucks New University and I can’t thank the lecturers at West Thames enough for helping to get me there.”
Other Access and Return to Study courses
Subject list
- A Levels
- Access and Return to Study
- Accounting
- Apprenticeships
- Art & Design
- Beauty Therapy
- Business and Administration
- Catering
- Childcare
- Computing and ICT
- Construction
- Counselling
- Engineering
- English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
- Hairdressing
- Health and Care
- Makeup
- Management
- Media and Music
- Motor Vehicle
- Performing Arts
- Science
- Short Courses for Business
- Sport
- Supported Learning
- Teacher Training
- Trade Union Courses
- Travel and Tourism
- Uniformed Public Services
