Access to Higher Education courses can open up the door for a second chance at pursuing your dream career. We talk to Abi, who studied an Access Course at Buxton & Leek College before going on to a four year teaching degree, which she’s about to complete.
Abi dreamed of becoming a teacher but didn’t think it was possible – until she started her access course, then everything changed. Having never gained A Levels, Abi wasn’t going to let this stand in her way and she knew studying for a degree was the way forward.
“The access course gave me the opportunity to do something I never thought possible, I really thought I’d missed my chance to go to Uni”.
The course gave Abi the self-belief she could study as a mature student and make that career change.
“It gave me confidence to return to education as a mature student and gain a degree and change my career and life in the process. It also prepared me for Uni and what was expected.”
Abi then enrolled onto a 4 year Integrated Master of Education with QTS (MEdu) course after completing the Access to HE Teaching diploma and she’s never looked back.
“All the lecturers were always willing to help and give advice when I needed it and I made some good friends that also went on to study the same degree. The access course gave me the opportunity to do something I never thought possible, I really thought I’d missed my chance to study at university as I didn’t have the opportunity when I was younger, so being able to start over at an older age was amazing. You also meet some great people along the way”.
“The Access team were always on hand to give me advice too, helping me choose the best options in terms of my career path.”
Abi is about to complete her last few weeks at university and she’s already applying for teaching jobs, ready to start with her own class in September!
For more information and to apply for an Access to Higher Education course at BLC, go to https://www.blc.ac.uk/subject-areas/access/access-higher-education/
