WHAT IS ACCESS?

Contact: WINNIE DUNCAN for any general ACCESS enquiries
winifred.duncan@tower.ac.uk

ACCESS courses at Tower Hamlets College are for adults, 20 years or over, with few or no formal qualifications, who are keen to study, enthusiastic about their subject and want to go on to study in Higher Education or improve career opportunities.  The Modular Programme can be taken either in the day or the evening or a combination of both. The course will take one or two years depending on how fully you can commit yourself to study. Those students following an evening only programme will have 6 hours a week of teaching. We do not expect anyone to be in classes for more than 16 hours a week, so it’s possible to follow this course and remain on benefit.You will be advised to study a group of modules relating to your main academic and vocational interests. This means you will belong to a particular Pathway, with its own Tutor.

Main Pathways:

BUSINESS STUDIES
COMPUTING
LAW, SOCIAL SCIENCES & HUMANITIES
NURSING & HEALTH PROFESSIONS
PHYSICAL & LIFE SCIENCES
TEACHING
YOUTH, COMMUNITY & SOCIAL WORK
Pre-Access PATHWAYS

It is possible to study across a range of pathways

ADVICE SESSIONS will be held at the Arbour Square Centre
from February to July 2011 during term time -
contact 020 7510-777 for further information

Diagnostic assessment in English and maths (allow at least 1 hour)
Expert advice from Access tutors helps you find the most appropriate course 
Interviews for appropriate applicants are arranged with an Access tutor

Early application is advised and preferably by the end of May 2011

SPECIAL ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Although no previous educational qualifications are required, you need to be able to write confidently for assignments, read widely and be able to work well in a group environment.

Fees
Courses are FREE to most students.  There are fees; these will be announced shortly.
If you receive Unemployment Benefit / Family Credit / Housing / Council Tax Benefit / Income Support / Disability Allowance all fees are automatically remitted.

If you are on low income fees, wherever possible, will be remitted.
Student advisors on hand to give all fee information needed.

Accreditation
Most assessment is through course work.
There are a few exams at the end of the year.
On securing sufficient credits (and meeting other criteria) the Access Certificate will be awarded.
This is a nationally recognised qualification from the Open College Network London Region (OCNLR).