Routes of Entry for Mature Students. A guide to undergraduate study opportunities at the University of Sheffield for adult learners

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1 Routes of Entry for Mature Students. A guide to undergraduate study opportunities at the University of Sheffield for adult learners 44

2 Lots of people return to education after a break. At the University of Sheffield we welcome mature students from all backgrounds. 1,400 of our undergraduate students are aged 21 or over. They ve been working, bringing up their families, travelling and building up valuable life experience which makes them perfect university students. The Foundation Programme is an excellent starting point for anyone who has not been in education for a while or has no A level qualifications. I am so glad that I did the Foundation Programme because without it I would never have been able to take a degree course. I would recommend the Foundation Programme to anyone who is thinking of returning to education. At the University of Sheffield we run a wide range of programmes for mature students. You can choose from a number of routes into the University, depending on factors including current qualifications, previous education experience and previous work and life experience. If you have not studied for some time or do not have traditional university entry qualifications, the Department for Lifelong Learning offers study opportunities for people just like you. See pages 3-9 for available courses. If you already meet the standard entry criteria for our full and part-time degree programmes, you may wish to apply for direct entry to these courses. See page 10 for more information. Andrea Blunt BMedSci Health and Human Sciences, University of Sheffield 2

3 Department for Lifelong Learning At the Department for Lifelong Learning we have over 40 years experience in supporting adults who are returning to education. Our programmes are specially designed for mature learners who have been out of formal education for an extended period of time, or who do not have the standard academic qualifications needed to enter directly into the first year of degree level study. All of our courses combine a strong focus on preparing learners with the study skills and confidence they will need to be successful in Higher Education, combined with subject specific study. Our programmes of study are available on a part-time or full-time basis and the following courses are available: - Full-time degrees with foundation year (4 years full-time)* (See pages 4 5) - Part-time foundation programme in combined studies (2 years part-time) (See pages 6 7) - Working with Communities programme (part-time) (see page 8) - Certificates in Higher Education (2 years part-time) (see page 9) * some courses available on a part-time basis. Please refer to section on full-time degrees with foundation year 3

4 Entry requirements for courses in the Department for Lifelong Learning Our courses are designed specifically for mature learners who have been out of education for some time, and who haven t previously accessed higher education, so the requirements for entry are different to those for students wishing to enter directly onto a degree programme elsewhere in the university. We are committed to supporting learners from non-traditional backgrounds to succeed at University and consider a range of factors including previous work, life and educational experience. For more information on entry criteria for individual courses, visit Full-time degrees with foundation year Our degrees with foundation year have been specially designed to give students without standard entry qualifications the best possible preparation for success on the degree pathway of their choice. All foundation years combine core modules in academic literacy and communication skills, and maths and statistics, with an extended project and subject specific introductory modules relevant to the chosen degree course. On successful completion of the foundation year, students transfer to the academic department in which they will complete their degree, whilst still being able to access the tailored support provided by the Department for Lifelong Learning. These courses are suitable for learners who: Want to study for a full-time degree but don t have the relevant qualifications for direct entry onto a degree Know which subject they wish to gain a degree in Can commit to 4 years of full-time study 4

5 We currently offer the following degree programmes: BA Archaeology with Foundation Year (UCAS code F401) BA English Language and Linguistics with Foundation Year (UCAS code Q310) BA English Language and Literature with Foundation Year (UCAS code Q305) BA English Literature with Foundation Year (UCAS code Q307) BA History with Foundation Year (UCAS code V101) BA Philosophy with Foundation Year (UCAS code V501) BA Education, Culture and Childhood with Foundation Year* (UCAS code X301) BSc Environmental Science with Foundation Year (UCAS code F901) BA Geography with Foundation Year (UCAS code L701) BSc Geography with Foundation Year (UCAS code F801) BA Geography and Planning with Foundation Year (UCAS code L790) BA Sociology with Foundation Year (UCAS code L301) BA Social Policy and Sociology with Foundation Year (UCAS code L401) BSc Speech and Language Sciences with Foundation Year (UCAS code QC19) BMedSci Health and Human Sciences with Foundation Year*(UCAS code B990) MPlan Urban Studies and Planning with Foundation Year (UCAS code K401) BA Urban Studies with Foundation Year (UCAS code K441) * Also available as a part-time degree with foundation year Please refer to our website for the most up to date list of courses available: 5

6 Part-time Foundation programme in Combined Studies: For learners who are unsure about which subject they want to study, or can t immediately commit to full-time study, we also offer the Foundation programme in Combined Studies. This course is studied on a part-time basis and provides the foundation for progression to other degree programmes at the University of Sheffield or other British Universities, or to the part-time Certificate in Higher Education at the University of Sheffield. The first year of study provides students with a firm grounding in the study skills needed for successful progression throughout your university career, and provides an introduction to one of three broad areas of study (Humanities, Social Sciences or Natural Sciences). The second year of study allows students to focus in much more detail upon specific subject areas relevant to their intended future studies. Successful completion of the Foundation programme guarantees direct progression onto any of our part-time Level 1 Certificates in Higher Education. Students wishing to progress to a full-time degree must apply via UCAS in the second year of their foundation programme, and we offer support to students wishing to do this. Throughout the course students will be supported by Department for Lifelong Learning staff to select modules which will support future study, and with applications to further degree programmes. 6

7 This course is suitable for learners who: Want to develop the study skills and confidence to progress further in Higher Education Wish to progress to a part-time Certificate in Higher Education Cannot immediately commit to a full-time programme of study Would like to spend more time familiarising themselves with a range of subject areas before committing themselves to a specific degree programme. I want to say thank you for letting me on the Foundation Programme. If you hadn t given me that first opportunity, followed by the constant support and advice over the two years I would have not made it here alone. I am now living a dream I wasn t sure would come true. Lorna Gosling BA Classical and Historical Archeology Wish to prepare for a full-time degree at the University of Sheffield (or elsewhere) for which there is no current degree with foundation year offered For further information visit 7

8 Working with Communities programme Our Working with Communities programme is offered on a part-time flexible basis, combining classroom based study at the University with community based learning in settings of your choice. The course enables students to develop their understanding of the issues and skills involved in working in communities. Subjects covered in the past have included understanding communities, interpersonal skills for community support, researching with communities, doing projects that make a difference, social problem solving skills and healthy communities. Students also undertake modules in study skills for Higher Education. The Working with Communities programme is taught 1 day per week, during term-time, via a mixture of seminars, workshops, visits and tutorial sessions. This course is suitable for learners who: Have experience of working in community contexts, either on a paid or voluntary basis Wish to develop understanding of the issues and skills involved in working within a community context Want to develop the skills to work with people from marginalised groups Are interested in progressing their careers in voluntary and third sector settings For further information visit These programmes have enabled me to develop various skills and techniques in my work with communities. The experiences I have gained during the course of my studies have informed my practice and I have been able to use many of the strategies to address issues and problems affecting communities. Abdi Ahmed Working with Communities programme 8

9 Certificates in Higher Education: Our Certificates in Higher Education are specially designed for students looking for a flexible part-time programme of study. Three types of courses are available: CertHE Society and Culture. This course is wholly taught within the Department for Lifelong Learning, through a programme of part-time evening study. Cert HE Humanities with subject specialism CertHE Social Sciences with subject specialism These courses are taught two thirds within the Department for Lifelong Learning and one third within the department relevant to the subject specialism, through a combination of part-time evening and day time study. These courses combine subject specific teaching and learning, with a broader interdisciplinary introduction to the study of society and culture. Current subject specialisms available are: - Archaeology - English - History - Modern Languages - Music - Philosophy - Religion - Criminology - Education, Culture and Childhood - Geography - Politics - Social Policy - Urban Studies For more information, please visit These courses are suitable for learners who: Wish to study part-time over a 2 year period Do not wish to commit to a full degree programme at this stage Have been out of education for an extended period of time and are looking for an introduction to Higher Education level study 9

10 Other routes of entry for mature students Direct entry to full-time undergraduate degree Subject to fulfilling the entry criteria for individual courses, mature students can apply for direct entry onto any full-time degree programme. For a full list of courses available visit: Part-time Degree programmes The University of Sheffield currently offers part-time degrees in: BMedSci Health and Human Sciences (with or without Foundation Year) BA Education, Culture and Childhood (with or without Foundation Year) Other part-time degrees within Arts and Humanities and Social Sciences are expected to be available for 2015 entry. Please visit for further information. What support is available? Our staff are on hand to help you choose the right course and support you right through to when you graduate. They can help you: Make sure that you are on the right programme to suit you Develop the study skills needed to do well on your chosen course Find a student mentor through the University s peer mentoring scheme Manage your workload and prepare for assignments and examinations Access the central University support services which are available for all students Find advice about loans and financial support Develop strategies for fitting your other life commitments around your studies Find information about the Students Union run nursery and holiday play schemes 10

11 How to apply: For full-time degrees with foundation year apply via UCAS For direct entry into any of our full-time degree programmes apply via UCAS You will find a full list of UCAS course codes for our full-time degrees and fulltime degrees with foundation years in the University s full-time prospectus, and at For the part-time Foundation programme in Combined Studies, the Working with Communities programme, and our part-time Certificates in Higher Education apply online at: and select Department for Lifelong Learning How will I afford it? Tuition fees and loans: The tuition fee is 9,000 per year for each year of full time study, pro rata for part time study. UK full time and part time students can apply for a government Tuition Fee loan. Eligible students will not need to pay anything up front and there will be nothing to pay back until you start to earn 21,000. You may also be eligible for a University bursary. For more information on fees and funding visit: Full-time courses: fees/2015/index Part-time courses: Still not sure? If you would like to find out what it is like to be a student at the University of Sheffield, we regularly hold open days and run Higher Education taster sessions. For information about these visit We also offer our award winning Discover course to students thinking about applying to university. This course runs over a 10 week period, usually for 2 hours per week, and offers the chance to take part in learning activities and find out more about Higher Education. For more information and upcoming course dates visit I really enjoyed the Discover experience and thank you all for the hard work you all clearly put in to making it the best experience possible, especially for the people inexperienced or unfamiliar with university life and all it offers. Previous Discover student See back cover for contact details, and to find out how to get more information

12 Where to find further information: Being a student has made me grow as a person, changed my perceptions about things and helped me develop skills that I can use elsewhere in life. The process really is a complete journey of learning and I d recommend taking a course to anyone. Heather Woodley Previous mature student For more information about any of our courses visit: For information about courses offered by the Department for Lifelong Learning visit: For information on how to apply for full-time courses visit For any further questions, please feel free to contact the Department for Lifelong Learning: dll@sheffield.ac.uk Phone: Visit : Edgar Allen House, 241 Glossop Road, Sheffield, S10 2GW