Head Start

Why study with us?

Offered to all undergraduate who have been offered a place in September on one of the University’s courses, Head Start is a short programme designed to bridge the gap into Higher Education.

It aims to help students gain an early insight into the use of the university’s virtual learning environment (VLE) that is used extensively once students study on their main programme. Also, it offers an opportunity to prepare for HE study by exploring the following:
• Effective learning approaches for undergraduate study
• Accessing and evaluating information
• Academic writing
• Referencing

Survey results:

Of students who completed Head Start in Summer 2012:
• 89% of respondents stated that Head Start had helped them feel more confident about studying at university
• 76% said it had given them an advantage compared to their peers who did not complete the programme
• 87% of respondents would recommend Head Start to current applicants

Quotes from the survey
“I thought the course was excellent.”
“It is a useful confidence builder.”
“I found all content to be useful and relevant to the coursework I went on to do on my main programme.”

What can this course lead to? Completing Head Start will give you an advantage by enhancing your confidence and level of preparedness prior to the start of your main programme of study here at Cumbria.
Entry requirements See course specific entry requirements listed below.

More about levels and credits

Selection criteria Students taking this module will have basic IT skills such as: searching and accessing webpages, word processing, sending and receiving emails etc. Modules

• Online research techniques
• Preferred learning styles
• Critical self reflection
• Use of IT for presentation skills
• Report writing
• Harvard System of Referencing

Course summary

For more information, have a look at our Frequently Asked Questions about Head Start or watch our video: