APPLICANT INFORMATION RE ENROLMENTS FOR SEPTEMBER 2010:

Aquinas College Adult Centre will NOT be taking any new enrolments onto our Access to Higher Education Diploma for the academic year September 2010 to July 2011. 

However, WE WILL be re-launching the programme in September 2011 as a ONE YEAR course and applications will be taken from January 2011.

Brief details of the Access programme:

People studying this course have progressed onto careers into nursing, physiotherapy, psychology, counselling or have been accepted onto degree programmes.

This qualification is designed either for students who intend to apply for undergraduate degree courses in Health, Law or Social Science or related careers, or for those who simply want to pursue an interest in any of the subject areas detailed below.

Applicants select two out of four main subject areas:  Health Sciences, Law & Criminology, Psychology and Sociology. 

Our Access Programme is especially suitable for anyone who is ........

• Returning to study after a break
• 18 or over
• prepared to study on both Monday and Tuesday evenings
• interested in applying for degree courses in the future
• keen to study, yet has employment/family commitments too
• keen to study 'purely out of interest'
• wishes to study in a supportive learning environment

Our Access Programme also incorporates modules in study skills, statistics, essay writing, note taking etc., at introductory and intermediate levels.  We also offer professional help and advice with applications for future courses.

Aquinas Adult Centre has full disabled access, IT drop-in facilities, and concessionary rates.  For more details about our Access courses telephone the helpline on 0161 419 9163 or email: sheila@aquinas.ac.uk

Support
We provide one-to-one support for students needing help with essays etc. or for students with a disability or learning need at any time throughout the period of the course.

Help with fees
No tuition fees are charged for students on low income and in receipt of an income related state benefit.  However you will need to pay your registration fee; financial help is available via our learner support fund for this; you will be advised about this on enrolment.  Currently students under 25 will also benefit from reduced fees for this particular course if it is the first A level course studied.

Health pathway
Students wishing to follow our Health pathway will select Health Sciences and Psychology (see separate notes below).  These options will provide a thorough grounding for students wishing to progress to health related careers or undergraduate study.

Health Sciences
Six units complete this subject:  'Research in Health', 'Co-ordination and Control', 'Diet and Digestion', 'Gas Exchange and Transport', 'Organisation of the Body' and 'Pathogens and Disease'.  A portfolio of evidence is compiled containing tests, models, essays, presentations and syllabus notes.

Law and Criminology
This course is suitable for anyone with an interest in the law.  No previous knowledge is required.  The Law elements of the course concentrate on the workings of the Criminial Justice System and in particular the judiciary, jury system and the court structure.  The Criminology aspect of the course is more theoretical.  What makes someone a criminal?  Is it a person's surroundings and their place in society or is there a biological reason for people turning to crime?  Questions such as these will be considered along with the many theorists who have researched this fascinating topic.

Psychology
No prior experience of the subject is required. Course units cover 'social influence', 'intelligence', 'development and child rearing', 'concepts of abnormality and mental health', 'memory and problem solving' and 'a practical research investigation'.  The course gives a broad introduction to the study of 'human behaviour'.

Sociology
Course units cover 'social stratification and inequality', 'sociology of health', 'education and social inequality', 'application of sociological research', 'work and leisure', and 'changing beliefs'. This course gives a broad introduction to the study of die individual in society.  Beginners welcome.