Computer Science Access course

StonedPenguin · 17 Nov 2014 at 12:51

Anyone done a Level 3 Computing Access course? How did you find it?
Did you do the 1 yr full time or 2 year part time?
How hard was it returning to education after years? (14 years for myself)

My goal is to do Computer Science (BSc or MSci) at Nottingham uni starting Sep '16. Seem's a long road to get there but hopefully will be worth it!

drakioned · 17 Nov 2014 at 12:57

Have you talked to the university about their entry requirements?

Nottingham CS is relatively open minded about their requirements in my experience. They might be able to recommend you a route into their programme.

Deiwos · 17 Nov 2014 at 13:16

drakioned said:
Have you talked to the university about their entry requirements?

Nottingham CS is relatively open minded about their requirements in my experience. They might be able to recommend you a route into their programme.

Would highly recommend you speak to Nottingham Uni as they were very picky when I applied, although that was 10 years ago.

drakioned · 17 Nov 2014 at 13:34

That's funny. That was the same time I applied, and I found them not very picky.

StonedPenguin · 17 Nov 2014 at 13:36

I just spoke to an admissions officer, They said my route should be fine. The particular access course is recognised by them.
I didn't sit any GCSE's at school, Long story

. I'll be sitting most of the ''preferred subjects'' listed by Nottingham as a private candidate. I plan to sit Computer Science, Maths, Further pure Maths, English Lang, Physics, Chemistry & Economics iGCSE's next summer which will also get me onto the access course in Sep '15 as they require at least 4 A*-C GCSE's.

planty · 17 Nov 2014 at 14:04

I've not got any advice, but good luck with your journey! Sounds like it will be tough but I'm sure it will be worth while.

D.P. · 17 Nov 2014 at 14:18

StonedPenguin said:
Anyone done a Level 3 Computing Access course? How did you find it?
Did you do the 1 yr full time or 2 year part time?
How hard was it returning to education after years? (14 years for myself)

My goal is to do Computer Science (BSc or MSci) at Nottingham uni starting Sep '16. Seem's a long road to get there but hopefully will be worth it!

Typically universities don't care if you have any CS courses before applying, in fact they typically wold prefer a clean slate. What they will care about is Maths.

Anyway, good luck

RDM · 17 Nov 2014 at 17:25

StonedPenguin said:
How hard was it returning to education after years? (14 years for myself)

Your other questions have been fairly well covered so I thought I would have a go at this.

I have just finished four years of study as a mature student, 3 as an undergraduate and 1 as a postgrad. This is after some 20+ years after leaving school.

I treated University as a job, so studied from 9-5 using any spare time to study either on campus or at home. Planned the assignments well in advance and generally left myself with a week or two grace before the hand in date on assignments. Did much the same for the final year project/dissertation. That left it pretty much panic free.

As a mature student there was much less pressure to go out and do the party side of university (and I have a family so I didn't really want to either). But I did still go out with some of the students every so often and socialised during downtime sometimes too.

It was an excellent experience and got me the qualifications I needed so I would say it was definitely worth while. It was however quite tight financially and I could only do it because my wife was willing to support me.

BYTEr · 17 Nov 2014 at 18:16

I did an access to higher education in science in 2011/2012 at a local college. On the taster days it was made out to be a really tough and intense year with the aim of preparing you for university. In reality it was a complete doddle and did nothing to prepare me for uni, in fact it probably put me in bad habits as you could start an assignment the day before and easily accomplish the 1500 words at distinction. I barely went to any classes as it was all coursework and really easy, felt like a part time 4 hour week course. University has been completely different, way way harder and requires 10 times the time and effort.

On the plus side it did get me into uni, I was accepted for all my 5 choices, 2 of which from Russell group universities (Queen Mary, University of London which I attend and Kings College London) for physical geography.