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Education

Course Code: TEAONL, TEAX
  • Level: 3
  • Qualification: Access, Diploma
  • Awarding body: Cambridge Access Validating Agency (CAVA)
  • Duration: One year
  • Course type: Distance learning, Express, Full-time, Part-time
  • Time of day: Daytime, Flexible
  • When you'll study: Various days, 9.00am - 5.00pm, or via distance learning (online)
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What's it all about?

Diploma title: Education

Access to Higher Education courses are designed for students aged 19 or over. If you are aged 18 or under, this course may not be suitable for you. Please contact us on info@cityplym.ac.uk or 01752 305300 if you would like any help discussing alternative options.

This course can be studied via the express or distance learning modes of delivery – please click here to read more about the different delivery modes offered for Access to HE courses. 

Do you want to train to be a teacher? Are you looking for a way into teaching? This CAVA Access to HE programme at City College Plymouth offers a fantastic opportunity to re/train for a rewarding job as a primary school teacher, secondary school teacher or many other careers in education, childhood studies or even in maths or English (possibly with a view to taking post graduate teaching qualifications later). This one year, full-time course will enable you to progress to university to study any of those degrees. If you previously went straight into a job after leaving school, or you are looking for a change in direction, this course offers the chance to study alongside other mature students, tutored by experienced, motivational and supportive lecturers.

You may be required to have GCSEs in English, maths and science depending on your career and university aspirations – please check the university website for your preferred degree. Please note the College course title is a suggested progression route, you must check with your preferred higher education institution to ensure that this course meets their entry requirements. 

If you would like to study this programme online, please click here.

Course information

Academic subjects may include:

  • biology
  • maths
  • English

Total credits – 45 at level 3Academic preparation skills units subjects may include:

  • examination techniques and practice
  • education studies

Total credits – 15 at level 2 or ungraded level 3.

Placements, Voluntary Work and Paid Employment

It is essential that you are aware if your university course requires you to have prior experience before applications are made. You will need to complete at least 15 days of classroom practice before the 1st of October. Learning outcomes on some units and subjects are explicitly about reflecting on your own practice and the environment in which you are/have been working. If you do not have any classroom experience you might not be able to secure a place at university. It is essential that you organise this placement and your own Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate. Lack of work experience would not exclude you from completing the Access course, however it may impact on your application to university.


GCSEs

GCSE equivalences in maths, English and science are no longer part of the Access Diploma. It is up to you if wish to enrol on GCSEs alongside your diploma, if you do not currently hold a recent 9-4 (A*-C) qualification. Your chosen university may not require its applicants to have GCSE or may be happy with previously achieved qualifications, such as O Level, level 2, etc.It is your responsibility to ensure that you have clarified if enrolling on a GCSE is appropriate for you. If your university course does require you to study at GCSE level you could study alongside your Access Diploma, however you must understand the implications of not achieving your GCSEs. Although it does not affect your achievement of an Access Diploma it may compromise your place at university if you achieve the Access Diploma but do not achieve your GCSEs. Some universities encourage applicants to apply for university without GCSEs and complete equivalences between application and enrolment with the university (again, this is something you have to clarify).Alternatively, you may wish to study your GCSEs the year before or after Access study. GCSE classes are held during the day and in the evening and are currently FREE if you do not hold a current qualification. You will have to apply for GCSEs as a separate course, as well as your Access course, if this is your preference. The national changes in GCSE requirements for mature students are currently under negotiation with all universities, and subject to change.

To succeed on this course you need to be committed towards your study and focused upon your career choice. This route is designed for adult students (19+). Funding is not available for those aged 18 and under, and we would recommend that alternative vocational qualifications and A Levels are considered which support progression onto further or higher education and employment. Applicants must hold a minimum grade 4 (C) in GCSE English and maths, or a level 2 qualification in literacy and numeracy. Students who do not hold these qualifications are encouraged to discuss their options for a more suitable course with us. If you do not currently hold a GCSE in maths or English, then you are invited to undertake a skills test as part of our interview process. Achieving level 2 on our skills test is sufficient to meet our entry requirements for Access to HE, however you are strongly advised to seek further advice from your chosen university regarding completing GCSEs as part of your application. Applicants can study for GCSE English, maths and/or science alongside this course. Your offer for entry onto our Access course may be conditional to a number of factors which may include achievement of GCSEs, satisfactory performance at interview, evidence of recent study, evidence of relevant work experience and specific criteria for international students (please see below).

For distance learning

To study this course via distance learning you must have already gained GCSEs in English and maths at grade 4/C or above.

Entry Requirements for International Students
The College welcomes applications from international students, however you are strongly recommended to clarify with your chosen university your responsibilities as an international student. You may be required to complete an IELTS or CEFR recognised equivalent test score exam prior to interview or record IELTS 5.5 on your application. There may also be funding implications relating to your international student status. Please ensure that you are clear of university entry requirements for international students.

In each subject you will be taught a range of units and each unit is assigned a credit value. When you successfully complete a unit you will be awarded a number of credits graded at pass, merit or distinction, depending on the standard of your work. You will continue to ‘collect’ credits throughout the course. The course is assessed by coursework, assignments, projects and exams.

Suggested progression routes: primary teaching, secondary teaching, education studies, childhood studies. Every effort is made to ensure that the units and credits offered are sufficient for progression routes onto higher education courses, however, specific courses at specific universities may have their own unique admissions requirements. Please check that the amount of Access credits offered in each subject is relevant for your chosen university course. Once you have enrolled onto a specific Access course units are unable to be amended, so please ensure the course you have selected is appropriate to you. (Our staff are excellent in providing advice and guidance, however, individual university courses may have their own specific requirements – so please check.) Please note City College Plymouth Foundation Degree courses have unique entry requirements for Access students. Please check with our Higher Education team.

Please note fees are quoted for one year only.

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