This course is for mature students who wish to progress to a degree programme in teaching or education studies. You will follow subjects that will aid your application to a Bachelor of Arts programme with qualified teacher status, including English literature, GCSE science equivalence, GCSE maths and English, social history, sociology, psychology, education studies and IT, plus a work experience placement of 30 hours during spring term. You will also have a weekly tutorial.

Key course features

Qualification: OCN LR Diploma (Education Studies)

Level: Level 3

Mode: Full-time

Timetable: This is a full time programme of study up to 16 hours per week at college. You will receive your timetable when you enrol.

Start Date: September 2013

Fees:

Home fee for 2012-13 £1459 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:

• Study skills
• IT
• GCSE science equivalence
• Education studies
• English literature
• Sociology
• Social history
• Psychology
• Education studies
• Work experience: 30 hours of voluntary work within an educational environment during the spring term. A criminal record check will be carried out on you before you go on a placement within a school.

If you do not have recent GCSE English and maths qualifications at Grade B or above, it is advised that you take GCSE English and Maths as all teaching degrees require you to have GCSEs in English, Maths and Science.

The course 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 and 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

Work experience forms an essential part of the course.

How will I be assessed?

Your development and progress on 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 GCSE Maths and 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 and you may progress to a degree programme in teaching or education studies, or a subject specialism such as history or psychology.

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.