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
Mark Williams
2009: Access to HE, Liverpool Community College
2010: First year student on BA Qualified Teacher Status degree, Liverpool
Hope University
I finished secondary school with good GCSEs and started Sixth Form, but after the first year I realised that it really wasn't working out for me. I worked for a couple of years in the civil service and started thinking about becoming a teacher. I did some research into different university courses and they all required A' levels or equivalent. I dreaded the prospect of starting A' levels again. Then I came across an Access to HE course at Liverpool Community College. It offered everything that I needed, including just one year of study. As I had good GCSEs, I was offered a place almost immediately after my interview.
The Access course was the most fun and challenging year of my academic life. I made some good friends on the course, many of whom I am still in touch with. I studied modules in English Literature and European History, two of my worst subjects in school, but my tutors turned that around. They knew their subjects inside out and loved teaching them and having discussions about them. Their enthusiasm rubbed off on us and we had some excellent class debates. I cannot speak highly enough of the tutors, who helped me enjoy learning again.
Universities responded very favourably to the Access to HE course. During the interviews, I didn't feel like I was being treated any differently. If anything, I had more life experience to draw from than the younger people applying straight from school.
I am now just finishing my first year of a BA Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) degree course at Liverpool Hope University. It is tough, but my experience of essay writing during my Access to HE course has given me such a boost in terms of confidence and organisation. Access to HE is such good preparation for university, both academically and in terms of learning how to organise and prepare yourself for the challenges that lie ahead.
Overall, I would say that Access to HE is a great experience, at times very challenging, but really worth it. You will learn so much and make some really good friends.