Another successful year for the access courses at Cornwall College Camborne sees a new group of students fulfil their dreams of a university education.

Every student who applied to university from the course was successful in gaining a place and now will be progressing to study a range of programmes in subjects as diverse as adult nursing, mental health nursing, forensic science, podiatry, paramedic science, childcare, social work and midwifery.

The one-year access course is designed as a stepping stone for those over 19 looking to progress onto higher education but who may be lacking the right qualifications or who are looking to change or develop their career. The majority of applicants have not worked to their full ability at school and had now decided years later that they wanted to do something different with their lives.

Alison Bennetts, from Redruth, is one of this year’s successful students, she said: “I've always worked within the care setting with experience in pharmacy and support work and I’m currently working as an ambassador for Mencap. Before the access course, which I started last September, I knew I wanted to study mental health nursing but didn't have a clue how to apply and what to expect.

"The whole team at Cornwall College were fantastic and helped as much as possible. They were very accommodating for a mature student with work commitments and general life. They helped us with university applications and personal statements and I received my first choice university place at Plymouth University for mental health nursing."

Additionally, with recent government changes to funding for learners aged 24 and over, going back to study at level three and above has never been easier. For the first time, 24+ advanced learning loans will give students in further education access to financial support for tuition costs, similar to that which is available in higher education. There is also a very high level of academic and personal support throughout the course, which can help if you need to combine study with part-time employment and family commitments.

Another successful student to benefit from the course is Louise Johns, 41 and mother-of-five from Hayle, who has just completed the access course in nursing, health and social care. She said: “I did the course as I want to be an adult nurse. I applied to do an adult nursing degree with Plymouth University, based at the knowledge spa in Truro and was lucky enough to be offered a place due to doing well on the access course.

“The course was fantastic. It really helped me back into the mind-set of being a student and gave me excellent foundations to take with me when I start my degree in September. As well as learning subject material for biology, psychology and sociology, we also had health studies and study skills where we learnt things like interview techniques, referencing and the social and medical models of disability. The tutors at Cornwall College are brilliant; they really help and support you.

“Access is hard work and you need to be committed but you learn so much and I have made some really good friends on my course. I would definitely recommend the course to anyone who wants to go on and do a degree.”

Louise will be in good company on her nursing degree at Plymouth University, with a total of 15 students from her access course at Cornwall College Camborne to have been successful in gaining places on the popular course. Two other students have also been accepted onto the highly competitive BSc in midwifery at Plymouth University, which is known for its difficulty to gain a place on.

Cornwall College provides access courses in science, nursing, health and social care, social work and social science. It also offers a year-long pre-access course for those adults who are not quite ready yet for the access programme.