Access courses are one year long, part-time courses designed to prepare learners, who may not have formal qualifications, for successful study at university. These are Special Purpose Awards (Level 6) which equip students with the skills and confidence required to take the next step to selected degree courses at UCD. UCD offers two access courses: Diploma in Access to Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences & Law – Access to AHSSL Diploma in Access to Science, Engineering, Agricultural Science & Medicine, and Veterinary Medicine – SEAM+
Academic integration/belonging, Social integration/belongingAccess course | On campus | In person | Live
Time lineWhat is the main idea or gist?
What does this initiative/support/project look like?
Access courses are year-long, part-time, foundation courses which are designed to introduce students to studying at UCD, provide them with skills to enhance their learning, build confidence, and are a pathway to undergraduate programmes. The Access courses run across the academic year – two semesters.
Anyone aged 22 or more on 1st of January of the same academic year may apply for the Access course (Both AHSSL and SEAM+). This means that applicants will meet the mature years age requirement for entry – that of being at least 23 on 1st of January, when starting their degree. There is no upper age limit.
The Access to Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences and Law Programme (AHSSL) is accepting applications from Young Adults (those 21 years or younger on the 1st of Jan on the year they apply) from September 2024. Young Adult applicants are required to fulfil additional access criteria. The access criteria is in line with the Higher Education National Access Plan 2022-28 which aims to ensure equity of access to higher education. It is to support applicants who have experienced socio-economic disadvantage and/or educational disadvantage. Each applicant is screened at the short-listing stage to determine eligibility for the programme and asked to complete an Access Eligibility Form.
University access courses target learners who wish to prepare for university, especially those who are distant from education and are nominated as priority groups in the National Access Plan. The Access courses are a university initiative which widen participation, increase diversity, and help us meet targets in the National Access Plan.
Courses are delivered on campus. SEAM+ is offered on two evenings a week and Saturday mornings, Access to AHSSL is offered on two mornings or two evenings a week, with a combination of morning/evening possible. Core modules in study skills and digital literacy are offered combined with optional modules in academic disciplines.
These courses are mapped as Special Purpose Level 6 and students who meet the stated GPA may progress to undergraduate programmes in UCD. Students take 6 modules over the academic year, students are assessed in all six modules; each module carries 5 credits.
The programmes are delivered within specific Schools, and the mode of delivery is in person, though SEAM+ maybe blended.
The Access Coordinator offers support to students on this course throughout the duration of the programme and during their progression into undergraduate programmes & beyond. Support is offered in a number of ways: 1 to 1 support, group support, workshop delivery, information sessions, online and webinars.
The university access courses provide a pipeline for students from underrepresented groups to enter UCD. The courses give students the opportunity to build study skills and confidence and obtain the academic credentials to progress into nominated degrees. The courses also serve as a cooling-out function for those who make the informed decision not to progress.
The Access Programme Co-Ordinator, manages recruitment, interviewing, selection and orientation as well as outreach and development work in relation to the programme throughout the year. The Access Programme Co-Ordinator offers guidance and referral at all points in the student journey. They provide support through direct contact via drop in hours, appointments, phone and email. Work involves pre and post-entry to Access programmes and to undergraduate programmes. They also work in outreach creating awareness and supporting the University’s WP (Widening Participation) agenda. Group work support can involve 25-30 students. There can be up to 100 Access to AHSSL students enrolled, with a maximum of 30 on SEAM+.
What are the goals?
To build confidence and autonomy in students, coupled with the knowledge that they may always access support/guidance/referral through the Access Programme Co-Ordinator.
How are students involved?
What underlying constructs or ideas inspired the design?
Access courses prepare people without traditional qualifications for study in university. They are well established courses and are run by several universities with a high level of success.
What the success criteria and the points of attention?
(How) does the effectiveness get tracked?
Very Effective
Track students attendance – non-attendance is reported to the Access Programme Co-Ordinator who follows up with the students. Liaison between the teaching team and the co-ordinator is key to just-in-time interventions and to ensuring retention.
Offers of places on degree programmes are monitored to observe progression outcomes and trends.
Assessment is mainstreamed and within the College assessment regulations and processes.
Application is through the UCD application system, numbers and trends from year to year are monitored.
strongly agree
(How) is this initiative/support/project evaluated?
Yes – As above
How is it communicated and advertised?
What is the current and ideal timing and duration?
The access courses run part time over two semesters, autumn and spring, and are mainstreamed with UCD’s academic calendar and systems. Courses are delivered on campus in person, both courses are part-time. SEAM+ is offered on two evenings a week and Saturday mornings, Access to AHSSL is offered on two mornings or two evenings a week, and a combination of morning/evening if desired. Core modules in study skills and digital literacy are offered combined with optional modules in academic disciplines offered by the specific schools. These courses are mapped as Special Purpose Level 6 and students who meet the stated GPA may progress to undergraduate programmes in UCD.
During regular ‘school’ hours.
What resources are needed to run this initiative?
An identified key worker/Co-Ordinator is required to manage recruitment, selection, outreach, student support & programme development. You need to set up governance structures within relevant programme areas e.g. a Board with oversight that signs off on results and academic rigour, and future planning and development of the programme. In UCD the board is devolved from the degree programme board e.g. the College of Science, Social Science and Law, and the College of Science oversees the governance of Access to SEAM. UCD Schools design the modules, provide the teaching staff, and manage assessment. Some administrative support is also required. The Module Co-orindator role for each of the three Study Skills modules on Access to AHSSL, and the Access co-ordination role both reside in the UCD Access and Lifelong Learning Centre, which reports to the Registrar.
The University Access courses are not directly supported by State funding, as they are part-time. Students who can afford fees pay fees, students on long term social welfare payments pay nominal fees. The reduced fees initiative is sponsored by the College of Science and Social Science & Law respectively.
Access to Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences and Law (AHSSL)
Access to Science, Engineering, Agricultural Science and Medicine and Veterinary Medicine (SEAM+)
Is it easily transferrable to other contexts or groups?
We think it is easily transferable to other contexts or groups.
Based on the principles of Adult Education and dovetailing with Universal Design. Many universities run Access Foundation courses so there is a wealth of knowledge out there to help you get set up. In addition, it would be important to get the relevant Schools/Departments/Colleges within the university on board to help in the design and delivery of an effective programme and it is also important to build strong community links to ensure that there is a good recruitment pipeline.