Returning to learning : Learning Opportunities in Sussex

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Returning to learning

"What if I haven't got any qualifications?"

If it's a while since you studied or you don't have any qualifications, you have some options in preparing for study. Remember, if you are over 20, you may not need formal educational qualifications to study a univeristy level course.

Try an Openings course with the Open University

You don't need special knowledge to do an Open University Openings course - they are designed for people who haven't got any qualifications or are returning to learning. You don't need to attend college because you study at home in your own time. You're supported all the way through by your personal tutor who will phone you at regular intervals you will agree with your tutor. Courses are:

part time
last up to 20 weeks
start in March, June, September and November each year
cost £99.

If you rely on state benefits as your main source of income, you are likely to get help with the cost.

You'll get a taste of the subject while developing your learning skills and confidence. Subjects you can choose are:

arts
environment
health
law - starting November 08
management
maths
personal development - current course
personal development - new course starting in September 08
psychology
social science
sport
understanding children

Do a short course at the Centre for Continuing Education

At the University of Sussex, CCE offers short, part time, stand-along courses in a range of subjects. These are delivered at evenings and weekend to help you fit them around work. They're appropriate for people who haven't studied since leaving school and would like an introduction to academic study, or those who simply want to learn something new. Fees vary according to the length of the course but can be as little as £60.

CCE also supports the Horizons project in East Sussex which includes free courses with creches for those returning to learning.

Apply your experience with "Working and Learning"

Working and Learning: Developing Effective Performance at Work will help you build a career whilst developing your learning skills. You study at home or at work using the resources provided. You'll cover a range of work-related topics including self-management, work-life balance and decision making, so you get a stimulating link between university level study and your day-to-day work. The resources are produced by the Open University and LearnDirect and you get additional support from contact with a tutor and other students. The course:

is part time
lasts 6 months
starts in May or November 2008
costs £315 (£340 from November 2008).

This is a particularly good starting point if you're thinking of studying for a foundation degree.

More time? Do an Access to higher education course

These are nationally recognised qualifications for university entry for mature learners without qualifications who want a change of direction.

Courses are full or part time over one or two years.
Most start in September 2008.
Costs vary but all institutions offer concessions for students in receipt of state benefits and you may be able to get help from your employer.

Some courses are preparation for particular careers, for example, Access to Nursing, Access to Teaching or Access to Business Studies. Others offer a more general preparation for studying in higher education. Topics covered include study skills development so that you can feel confident about moving on to university level study. They're delivered in further education colleges. The Open College Network prospectushas details of what's available in the South East, including Sussex, together with contact details for each institution.

Read about how the Access to Medicine course at Sussex Downs could give you access to a medical career.

If you want to do a wider search, Access to higher education has details of courses available nationallyand some interesting case studies.

Where next?

If you want to carry on studying, there's plenty of choice in Sussex - Foundation degrees, HNCs and HNDsare all work-related higher education courses. Many of them are designed and delivered in partnership with employers, so if you're working or you've made up your mind what career you want, they're an appropriate route at higher education level.

They are full or part time over 2 to 4 years
Start in September each year
Have varying costs but you may be able to get support from your employer who will benefit from the expertise you gain
Are delivered in colleges around Sussex.

They're all different so t's worth checking to see how much work based learning they include and how often you need to attend college.