Successful careers
Elizabeth Christian
Yvonne Brissett
Mark Field
Trudy Ing
Dr Stuart Prior
Linda White
Albert Phipps
Ian Webber
Gabrielle Holmes
Dr Erik Johansson Cox
Nneka Akudolu
Susan Nelson
Scott Ellis
Sue Long
Current degree students
Sarah Kate Bennett
Laurie Pycroft
Alexander Walker
Chris Healey
Belinda Robinson
Mark Williams
Laura Lacey
Nicola Power
Current Access to HE students
Sarah Kate Bennett
2008: Access to HE Diploma (Social Work and Social Policy), South Birmingham College
2011: BA (Hons) Social Work, University of Birmingham
2011: First year, 1+3 studentship: MA Social Research (Social Work Professional Practice), then PhD, University of Birmingham
Having previously been unable to work due to depression, I reached a point where I felt able to take a step towards getting into the workplace. I decided I would love to have a career in social work, and started looking into my options. I found that in order to achieve my career goal I needed to gain a degree, and I decided that taking an Access to HE course would be my best option to prepare me for university.
During my time on the Access to HE course, the tutors were very supportive and I found I was able to cope with the demands of the course without compromising my health.
One of the greatest challenges I faced was that my maths ability was quite low and I was concerned that this would hold me back. I needn't have worried though - after intensive sessions with a really helpful learning support tutor, I finished the course with full credits and the highest maths score in the final exam! It was one of my proudest moments on the course, and I was amazed at how much I had achieved in such a short space of time.
Although nothing can prepare you completely for university, the Access to HE course topped up my skills, got me used to writing assignments, gave me confidence in my own abilities, and helped me to focus on the future.
Having successfully completed the course, I was offered a place to study for a degree in social work at university, which I completed with first class honours. I went on to be awarded the Chancellor's Prize 2011 for the most outstanding mature student - the first time a social work student has won such an award in the 100 year history of social work training at the university! I was then awarded a 1+3 studentship to study for a master's degree in social research and then undertake a PhD. When I finish my PhD, I am hoping to teach adults and young people from a similar background to me, to help them get into and through university.
My advice to anyone thinking of doing an Access to HE course would be to definitely take the opportunity and run with it - in my case, it really was an access to a great future!