A mum of two is set to start her career in psychology after finishing her degree – a degree she thought out of her reach if not for Solihull College & University Centre’s Access to Higher Education courses.
Hayley Harwood, 37, had worked as a hairdresser, nail technician, and bartender, but was ready for something new.
Hayley comments: “I hated school. I wasn’t academic in the slightest, but I knew I wanted more from life and wanted to study criminology but didn’t know how. I then found out about the access course at Solihull College & University Centre which was a real surprise as I thought I would have to do 2 years of studying A-Levels to get to degree level. The Access course is so much more flexible, and I completed it in a year.”
Access to Higher Education (Access to HE) courses are Level 3 diplomas designed to provide individuals, typically aged 19 or over, and without traditional qualifications like A-levels, with the necessary skills, knowledge, and confidence to progress to university-level study and a wide range of degree courses. These intensive, often one-year, courses are typically coursework-based and can be taken full-time or part-time, which then gives learners the opportunity to progress on to a degree.
Hayley has two children with additional needs. Initially, she was interested in criminology and forensics. While she was studying, her tutor told her about a degree course in criminology and psychology – which sounded perfect with her interest in special needs, so after receiving distinctions on her Access course, she then enrolled onto the degree course.
Hayley admits juggling work, family life and studying can be tricky at first, but she says it is all worth it: “I never wanted to study at school as it didn’t interest me, but when you are studying something you are passionate about, it makes it easier. I would do my uni work when the kids were asleep, I always found time to complete my assignments and found the flexibility vital.”
Now she has completed her degree, Hayley is already looking forward to her new future: “I am starting my Masters in Psychology this month, as I want to work with in clinical psychology, so I have some way to go to be fully qualified, but I am on the right path. I still have 30 years of work ahead of me and want to make sure I am happy and fulfilled in my career and the access course has most definitely helped me on that path.”
Hayley continues: “My family are so proud of me. My dad passed away when I was 22 and knew I wasn’t happy learning at school so he would be so proud I took the plunge back into education in my 30s.”
It’s not too late to enrol on an Access to Higher Education course this September.
