Access to Higher Education students celebrate their success, before heading off to top Universities

Bath College held an award ceremony to celebrate the incredible achievements of the Access to Higher Education students at the Shrubbery restaurant last week.

The students were presented with their course certificates over a prosecco and canapé reception, followed by specially nominated awards.

The Access to Higher Education course provides students with a nationally recognised qualification and an alternative career pathway for those who want to study at university.

Carolyn Guy, Learning Co-ordinator for the Access to HE department, said that: “We are delighted and proud of the outstanding achievements of our Access students who have made fantastic progress this year and are moving on to such a wide range of degrees.

“Many of our students gained the confidence to pursue career goals and ambitions which they would not have thought possible a year ago.  

“This event was a celebration of their hard work, determination and success. The students created a culture of excellence and support of one another.”

The top prize of the afternoon was the much coveted Roper Prize, named after Brian and Maggie Roper, who were incredibly generous benefactors of Bath College who left a legacy gift to the College to recognise the achievements of students, particularly on the Access Course. This year there were five Roper prize winners, who were nominated by staff for outstanding dedication to their studies.

The Roper Prize Winners:

• Sheldon Hibberd
• Daniel Currell
• Levina Testa
• Hannah Hillier
• Lucy Williams

The Part Time Prize Winner: Pearl Bartlett

Samantha has a three-year-old son and took the Access course to become a midwife, something that she was nervous about juggling before starting: “Luckily, I have a very supportive family who will care for my son when I need time for my assignments.

“College help part-fund my son’s pre-school hours every week to ensure I can commit to the course. This means I have more time at college to do work and ensure I can attend all my lessons.

“The Access Course has really helped boost my confidence, it’s supported me to receive offers from universities for competitive courses I would never have been able to achieve on my own.

“It’s also allowed me to improve my academic knowledge and set me up for university whilst making great supportive friends who are also going through the same process for their goals.”

Bath College Principal Laurel Penrose attended the awards ceremony to meet students and hand out course certificates.

After presenting the awards Laurel commented: “Listening to the list of universities you have been excepted to I am so proud to hear the depth and breadth of courses you’re going onto.

“The Access Course is very challenging, especially when you have family commitments or similar at the same time. You should all be so proud of yourselves. Congratulations.”

Destination Universities and courses of this year’s Access Course Students

Bath Spa University – Education, Creative Writing

Birmingham City University -Psychology with Criminology

Bournemouth University – Paramedic Science

Cardiff Met University – Human Nutrition and Dietetics

Cardiff University – Children’s Nursing, Optometry, Physiotherapy

City of Bristol College – Health and Social Care Practice

King’s College London – English, Nutrition and Dietetics

Manchester Metropolitan University – International Business Management

Oxford Brookes University – Operating Department Practice, Biomedical Science, History, Midwifery

Swansea University – Modern History and International Relations

University of Bath – Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences

University of Bristol – Msci Biochemistry, Psychology, Geography, History, Psychology, Sociology, Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Nursing, Zoology

University of Glasgow – MA History and Politics

University of Gloucestershire – Sports Coaching

University of Leeds – Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy, Pharmacology

University of Manchester – Japanese Studies

University of Nottingham – Physiotherapy

University of Plymouth – Ocean Science and Marine Conservation

University of Portsmouth – Paramedic Science, Politics

University of Reading – Pharmacy MPharm

University of Southampton – History

University of Surrey – Veterinary Medicine and Science

University of York – Historical Archaeology

UWE – Physiotherapy, Children’s Nursing, Law, Primary teaching with QTS, Psychology

For more information about Bath College’s Access to Higher Education course click here.