I studied for an Access to Higher Education Diploma in Humanities and Social Sciences as I had become interested in Education policy, both in the UK and internationally. I really enjoyed engaging with debates around what it meant to be ‘educated’, what education meant for different people in different countries and how we are all influenced by education policies. I really wanted to study the subject at university and, if possible, seek a career in the field that I had become passionate about.
Several of the universities that I had contacted explained that an Access course would be great preparation for undergraduate study as it allowed me to practice exam technique, essay writing and technical skills such as referencing. The Humanities and Social Sciences Access course at the CWA fit that criterion perfectly. Whilst also introducing me to subjects that would be highly relevant to my future degree. Open events and my interview also revealed that the team behind the Access course cared deeply about lifelong learning and educational opportunities for adults more generally, which cemented my decision to study at CWA.
During my course I took modules in English, History and Sociology. We learned about the techniques and concepts employed in each subject through a fantastic variety of relevant content. I really enjoyed learning the depth and breadth of techniques of poets and authors, from William Blake to George Orwell.
My main memory of my time at CWA is of the fantastic people that I worked and studied with. Access is a fantastic way to meet students who have come from many different walks of life, each with amazing experiences and stories to tell. Learning from and studying with them was wonderful and I feel lucky to have had a non-traditional road to university. I also have fond memories of the staff who, often having similar student experiences themselves, were always understanding and supportive when the inevitable complications of being an adult in education presented themselves.
My next step was to apply for an Undergraduate course at university. The Access course was especially helpful in providing support for this, helping us to navigate the UCAS application process, writing of personal statements and securing references.
The practical techniques that I learned on my Access course were great preparation for my current course. The feedback that I received on my work at college, helped me to write convincingly and concisely. The Diploma also helped me with soft skills such as time management and practical skills such as exam technique, all of which have been important in my degree. The content of my Access course has also been invaluable and the subjects I explored have recurred frequently throughout my degree.
I am currently reading Management Studies at Judge Business School for my final year at St. Edmund's College, Cambridge, having completed two years at the Education Faculty where I read Education Policy & International Development. Undergraduate Degrees at Cambridge are typically split into two parts. For my Part I, at the Education Faculty, I studied contemporary educational issues of global inequality and explored critical debates in social justice in various international settings.
For Part II in my final year, I have joined Cambridge’s Judge Business School. I have studied fundamentals in business such as accounting, economics, methods in quantitative analysis and operations. Other modules involve studying the sociological impact of technological changes in the workplace and a consultancy project with an external firm.
