Student Spotlight: Alice finds confidence with an Access to HE course

After time away from education, Alice decided she wanted to go to university, but she wasn’t sure where to start. Traditional routes like A Levels didn’t feel right, and her earlier experiences of education had left her unsure about returning. When she discovered the Access to Higher Education: Social Sciences course, everything began to fall into place. 

Alice first heard about the course when she enquired about our A Level courses. She was advised to explore our range of Access to HE courses instead, as these are designed specifically for adults looking to return to learning and progress to university.  

After her interview with lecturer, Keith, she knew it was the right choice for her. The course offered the chance to study psychology, sociology and criminology in a supportive environment with people at similar stages of life. 

“You worry that you’re going to feel like the odd one out, but everyone’s there for the same reason.” 

Returning to study as an adult was daunting at first, but Alice soon found her confidence growing. She credits the welcoming atmosphere and support from her lecturers for helping her settle in quickly. The diverse mix of students, aged from 19 upwards, made it easy to connect and share experiences, creating a strong sense of community within the class. 

The Access to HE course has also given Alice the academic preparation she needs to take her next step. Through research-based assignments, essay writing and referencing, she’s developed skills that will give her a head start at university. 

Now, Alice has received several university offers and plans to study Psychology at the University of Chester. Long-term, she hopes to become a therapist and use her own experience in care to support others. Her goal is to work with care-experienced children and young people, raising awareness of the challenges they face and ensuring they receive the understanding and opportunities they deserve. 

“Even a mere couple of months in the care system can really change the direction of your life, and I think that needs to be a little bit more recognised.” 

Reflecting on her journey, Alice says the Access course gave her more than just qualifications, it gave her belief in herself. It proved that it’s never too late to return to learning and that with the right support, confidence can grow quickly. 

Consider an Access course today: 

• Explore our range of Access to HE courses 

• Hear from our Access to HE learners