Before we begin filming the interviews I looked on the college website to learn more about what Access is and what this means for students and the staff that I will be interviewing. This research can also feed back into my questions and hopefully make them more relevant.
Sussex Downs College - Access:
http://www.sussexdowns.ac.uk/access/
From here there are a number of links to different information about the Access course.
What the course does:
"The Access Course prepares students for degree level study at university. This level 3 course is designed for adults (19+) as an alternative to A levels."
Benefits of using the course:
"We have close links with the local universities, and a very high success rate: last year 98% of our students who applied to universities were offered places."
Who the course is for:
"Many people who come on to the Access course feel they have not previously fulfilled their potential at school or college. They want new knowledge, and feel that the time is right to try studying again. They may have spent a period in unsatisfying work, or may have been at home looking after children- they are looking for a new direction."
Getting on the course:
"You do not need any previous formal qualifications as your experience of life and work is highly valued on this course. However, you will need strong motivation, some idea of the subject area you would like to study at university, and a willingness to commit yourself to ten months of hard and enjoyable work!"
The key areas of areas covered on the course:
• Communicating and working in groups
• Critical thinking
• Managing your workload
• Developing and evaluating research methods
• Planning, structuring and developing essay writing
• Basic IT skills
• Reading, interpreting and analysing academic texts
• Mathematics and statistics
What qualifications successful applicants can receive:
"This kite-marked course (run at Lewes and at Eastbourne) is validated by the South of England Open College Network (Hampshire, Isle of Wight and Sussex (SEOOCN). The qualification you receive on passing the course is nationally-recognised and allows you to apply to any university in the UK."
When do the students learn:
"The Access course starts in September and finishes the following July. At Lewes there is a choice of a day or an evening route, as shown below:
• 3 days per week (9.30am-3pm), or
• 2 evenings per week (6-9pm) plus six Saturdays "
Skills the students will learn on the course:
• Essay writing
• Reading academic texts
• Critical thinking
• Basic computing skills
• Research methods
• Maths and statistics
• Group work
• Individual guidance
• Managing your time and workload
This gives me a greater insight into the Access course and will help me form better questions for the interview.
