Posted: 07/12/21
Information event for adults wanting to study higher *** UPDATED EVENT DATE ***
Adults who are looking to eventually study at university are being invited to attend an event at West Nottinghamshire College where they can meet former Access to University students.
The event will take place at the college's Chesterfield Road campus in Mansfield
The event is being held at the college’s Chesterfield Road campus on Wednesday 9 February and will see Access to University alumni coming back to college to meet current and potential new students to share their learning experiences and talk about their current lives and careers.
It will take place from 5.30-7.30pm, hosted by staff who teach on the Access courses and current students and is designed to help guide those who wish to study at university towards a range of Access to University courses which help bridge the gap between current qualifications and moving on to study at university.
Individuals can find out more about the range of studies available which include law, business, sciences, history and English, social work, social science, and nursing and healthcare. There will be advice and guidance on funding and support available through the college and people can speak to other individuals considering enrolling on the Access programmes as well as learning more about life as a mature learner and how there are many careers which these initial studies could lead on to such as nurses, carers, teachers, lawyers and scientists.
Former student Sarah Fitzsimons will be on hand to share her experiences on the Access courses. Sarah, who studied on the Access to Business and Law in 2017, went on to achieve the BA (Hons) Criminal Justice followed by a Masters in Criminal Justice and Criminology. She now works as an advisor in the college’s library.
Sarah, 37, said: “I selected the access course because I’d studied GCSEs at West Notts the year before and had enjoyed learning again. I was diagnosed with a lifelong illness in 2010 and became hearing impaired. This was a difficult phase and adjustment period in my life. However, it also led to reflection and a desire to just do something that I would enjoy.
“I’ve always been interested in law and politics so that’s where it all began. Returning to education after such a long time was a daunting at first, but once enrolled I loved it. The tutors at the college were so supportive and I’ve loved being a mature student. It’s not only given me qualifications but has changed me greatly on a personal level.”
Head of department for Access to University, Nicola Beech, said: “The Access team are looking forward to welcoming back some of our alumni students as well as being on-hand for any potential new students who are looking at taking that step to study those foundations for accessing university-level learning. We’ll be able to help people look at the options for kick-starting a new career and how they can access funding support.
“The evening will be a great chance to catch-up with our former students’ new careers and lives while being able to offer some great advice and reassurance to those starting out on this learning journey. There really is something for everyone on the Access courses providing so many pathways into a wide variety of industry sectors.”
To register for the event on 9 February 2022, people should visit https://bit.ly/3oftFYj
To find out more visit the college’s website at www.wnc.ac.uk
