Future medical professionals from the Bath area are finding the Access to Higher Education course at Bath College a fantastic way to achieve their career ambitions.
Hopeful physiotherapists, optometrists, midwives, paramedics, midwives and paediatricians are among students who are about to progress from the College onto their next steps.
Stephanie has a place at UWE to study Physiotherapy in September. She said: “The access course has given me the skills needed to go to university. Before I never thought it’d be possible.
“As I’m older and have been out of education for a long time, the idea of writing an essay was really daunting! The Access Course has built up my skills and confidence in doing that.
“I completed an A-level in Biology when I was in college at 18 with a poor grade, as I found it so difficult to wrap my head around the content, but the Access Course at Bath College has made it a lot easier to understand and I am now getting distinctions throughout science.”
The Access to Higher Education course is for anyone 19 or older and lasts a year. On the course they study core subjects of English, Maths and study skills, together with subjects related to the degree choice.
Jasmine is studying Psychology, Sociology and Biology alongside the core subjects. She has a place to study Child’s nursing at Cardiff University.
“Before I came on this course I had just come back from traveling a wide range of countries and before that I worked as a Toddler Room Leader at a Nursery, particularly working 1:1 with a little boy with disabilities.
“I am now looking forward to the fact in 3 years’ time I will be a qualified children’s nurse and be able to begin my dream job for life, helping young people.”
Bath College Principal, Laurel Penrose, has encouraged parents to study at the College because staff can support students.
“We believe that by continuing in education and training and developing higher level skills, you are putting yourself in a very strong position to improve your life chances. For some that will mean improving career prospects and for others it will mean expanding skills and knowledge.”
Samantha has a three-year-old son and took the Access course to become a midwife, something that she was nervous about juggling before starting: “Luckily, I have a very supportive family who will care for my son when I need time for my assignments.
“College help part-fund my son’s pre-school hours every week to ensure I can commit to college. This means I have more time at college to do work and ensure I can attend all my lessons.
“The Access Course has really helped boost my confidence, it’s supported me to receive offers from universities for competitive courses I would never have been able to achieve on my own.
“It’s also allowed me to improve my academic knowledge and set me up for university whilst making great supportive friends who are also going through the same process for their goals.”
If you would like more information about Bath College’s Access to Higher Education course, visit: www.bathcollege.ac.uk/product/access-to-higher-education.
