Success Story
Hertford Regional College used Gateway Qualifications’ Access to HE Diploma (Nursing and Midwifery) to help Emma Bird, a former hairdresser and barber, build the academic skills and confidence to progress to a BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing degree at the University of Essex.
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Hertford Regional College (an FE college)
Emma Bird, a former hairdresser and barber
Changing career from hairdressing into nursing, and finding the confidence to study at university
An Access to HE Diploma at Hertford Regional College, building academic writing, referencing and self-belief
Progression to a BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing degree at the University of Essex, a step ahead of her cohort
My self-empowerment has changed greatly! I feel this started whilst I was on the Access course. When I was in secondary school, I did not have the confidence to ask questions and was in the lower set of classes. I now have the confidence to liaise with the nursing staff at University, and on placements.Emma Bird, Access to HE student
After a career as a hairdresser and barber, Emma Bird was compelled to become a nurse once she started working at a local trust hospital while the COVID-19 pandemic was in full swing. She wanted to continue her studies at university, so she looked into the educational opportunities available to her and chose to go down the Access to HE route, enrolling at Hertford Regional College to study the Access to HE Diploma (Nursing and Midwifery).
Access to HE Diplomas are intensive courses that see learners push themselves and discover they are capable of far more than they may have believed possible. At Hertford Regional College, the Diploma gave Emma the academic writing, referencing and subject knowledge she would need at university, and, just as importantly, the confidence to use them.
Emma encouraged herself to take on more than her studies, embracing university life and new experiences: while at university she works at a learning disability home as a healthcare support worker, and she is a Student Ambassador and Student Rep for the University of Essex and a Student Ambassador for the Royal College of Nursing.
Emma progressed to a BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing degree at the University of Essex, and she credits the Access to HE Diploma with putting her ahead of other learners, thanks to the writing skills learned and the knowledge covered during her course. With the goal of becoming a registered nurse the real drive for her, several pathways of interest are open such as gaining a Master’s degree, working within the healthcare industry as a nurse practitioner in a GP surgery or specialising in dermatology.
“Go for it!!! You don’t need to be young; you don’t need to know everything and anything! Just be you and allow the teaching to commence. Listen to the tutors, give yourself time to study, plan ahead with assignments, and ensure you speak up when you are struggling.”
Emma Bird, Access to HE studentI am doing similar modules at university, meaning I am a small step ahead of others. I am also extremely lucky to have been taught how to reference too; I have gained a very large advantage compared to my cohort who has had to learn how to cite and reference during their first year.
Speaking to Julia Anderson, Emma’s lecturer at Hertford Regional College, she said:
“Emma gave everything to her Access studies, rose to the challenge and remained resilient when learning and studying was hard. The information gained, along with her experiences really added value to the group. We are proud of Emma; her achievements she gained with us and her dedication to her future career. We are delighted we could play a small part in Emma’s learning journey. Emma continues to be an advocate for the Access course, coming back to speak to current learners about her experiences and sharing her top tips for success!”
– Julia Anderson, Emma’s lecturer, Hertford Regional College
Emma did not arrive at nursing by the usual route, and she did not need to. The Access to HE Diploma gave her the academic skills to succeed at university and the confidence to speak up and belong there. The same is possible for very different learners, in very different settings: the returner, the career-changer, the person who was in the lower set at school and has decided that is not the end of the story. If you would like to explore what an Access to HE route could look like for yours, we’re here whenever you’d like to talk.
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