Return to Learning

If you are lacking in confidence with your basic English and maths you could start your journey back into education by attending the Return to Learn (Foundation Access) course which will develop your functional and study skills so you can consider taking the Access to Higher Education as a follow on course in the next academic year. Your main objective on this course will be working to achieve a Level 2 Diploma in Progression accreditation. The course is not designed for students seeking an alternative route into higher education having recently studied A Levels, GCSE's or a similar course. It is recommended that students have at least one year out of formal education before applying. To complete the course successfully you will submit and pass a range of assignments consisting of, for example, written work, oral presentations and group tasks. There are no timed exams though you may be given experience of these to help you develop your study skills. In order to complete this course in the one year allocated you will be required to attend college classes for up to 16 hours a week and undertake a similar amount of time of home study. College classes usually begin at 9.30 am and end at 3.00 pm to fit in with school times.

To join this course you need to have a minimum of level 1 English (grade D-G at GCSE) and entry level 3 maths (the level before GCSE). It is likely that you will have been out of full time education for at least one year. You will need to have a positive outlook to study and learning, with a determination to succeed.

Many of our students who study Return to Learning find that the course is the perfect springboard to get them ready to take on the full Access to Higher Education course. Many others, with their new found confidence and fresh approach to their future, pursue a range of vocational careers without going on to university.

Success rates are increasing every year. In 2011-12 rates increased by 14% on the previous year. In this academic year the success rate is forecast to be 85%.

one recent student experience described below: "I started on the Return to Learning course in September 2010. I had not been in education for many years, left school at the age of sixteen and then had a child. I gained lots of confidence on the Return to Learning course and applied for Access to Higher Education. I started my Access course in September 2011. It was hard fitting my work in around childcare, but I was determined to become a nurse. Following the two years at Gloucestershire College I was accepted onto an adult nursing degree at Oxford Brookes University and started last year. It has been hard work, but I am proud to have got to where I am now as I am the first person in my family to go to university. "

Please contact the College on 0845 155 2020 for further details