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Preparing Adults for Higher Education
Through SWAPWest Access to Nursing Programmes
Dr Lisa Marsili, Kenny Anderson, Amy Angus
What is
• Since 1987,SWAP has helped over 20 000 adults back
into education
• SWAP National consists of SWAP West, North and
East: We are SWAPWest
• Partnership of the 20 Colleges and 8 HEIs in the West
of Scotland
• The partnership provides Access Programmes for
adults returning to education
• Target adults with no, few or out of date qualifications
who reside in disadvantaged areas
• Students enter year 1 of a degree course at University
The Challenges facing adult returners
Our College and University Partners: Access to Nursing
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Ayr College
Anniesland College
Cardonald College
Central College of Commerce
Coatbridge College
Clydebank College
Cumbernauld College
Dumfries and Galloway College
Glasgow Metropolitan College
Glasgow College of Nautical Studies
Forth Valley College
James Watt College
John Wheatley College
Kilmarnock College
Langside College
Motherwell College
North Glasgow College
Reid Kerr College
South Lanarkshire College
Stow College
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Glasgow Caledonian University
Glasgow School of Art
RSAMD
Scottish Agricultural College
University of Glasgow
University of Stirling
University of Strathclyde
University of the West of Scotland
College partners offer SWAPWest Access to
Nursing Programmes. The Universities
highlighted offer Nursing progression routes to
SWAPWest students.
The Curriculum
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Developed by SWAPWest curriculum review groups
SQA* National Units make up the body of the curriculum
Units are generally at SCQF** level 5 and 6
Students study a minimum of 18 Units
Must include core skills; literacy, numeracy and IT
At least 7 of the units must be at SCQF Level 6
Programmes must include Preparation for Higher
Education (2 Units)
*SQA – Scottish Qualifications Authority
**SCQF – Scottish Credit Qualification Framework
SCQF level 5 is Intermediate 2 or GCSE level and SCQF level 6 is at Higher or AS level
ACADEMIC CONTENT of a SWAPWest Access to Nursing Programme
MANDATORY CORE (5 Credits)
Unit Credits
SCQF Level
2
2
1
6
4/5
5
Unit Credits
SCQF Level
9
5 /6
SUPPLEMENTARY SECTION (4 Credits minimum)
Unit Credits
SCQF Level
Units for progression to particular degree programmes
4
4/5/6
Communication 4 or equivalent
Numeracy or equivalent
Information Technology
OPTIONS (9 Credits)
A total of 9 units should be selected from the list below.
Of these a minimum of 6 should be at SCQF level 6.
 Biology
 Care
 Chemistry
 Counselling
 Health Care
 Human Biology
 Nutrition
 Personal & Social Development
 Physics
 Psychology
 Supporting Special Needs and Learning Support
Langside College SWAPWest Access to Nursing Programme 2009-10
Module
Number
Module Name
Credits
SCQF
Level 4
SCQF
Level 5
SCQF
Level 6
a
EE3T 12
Communication 4
2
F3GF 11
Numeracy Core Skills Int 2
1
F3GF 10
Numeracy Core Skills Int 1
1
D01D 11
Information Technology
1
a
F1RH 11
The Human Body
1
a
DM5P 11
Prevention of Infection
1
a
F1C5 12
Understanding and Supporting
People in Health and Care Settings
1
a
F19M 12
First aid
1
a
Langside
Practical Nursing Skills
1
D043 12
Cell Function & Inherit
1
a
D044 12
Continuation of Life
1
a
D045 12
Behaviour, Populations & Environment
1
a
D934 12
Experimental Procedures in Biology
1
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D066 11
Building Blocks
1
a
D067 11
Carbon Compounds
1
a
DF4D 33
Skills for Personal Effectiveness
1
SWAP
Preparation for HE
2
Total
19
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1
6
8
Preparation for HE Background
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Prep for HE is of high importance in a SWAP Programme
Comprised of class work and University visits
In 2007, Preparation for HE materials were reworked
Enhanced previous materials and achieved consistency
Materials are on SWAPWest Moodle site at
http://moodle.swapwest.org
• Can be delivered as self study or as a taught unit
• To compliment this, SWAP Study
Skills Days at Universities were also
developed
Preparation for Higher Education
Framework Contents
1. Introduction
2. Taking Stock Part One
3. Study Diary
4. Taking Stock Part Two
5. UCAS Guide
6. Personal Statement
7. Interview Skills
8. University Website and Library Search
9. Presentation Skills
10. Study Skills
11. Finance
12. Taking Stock Part Three
13. What Happens Next: Information from
Universities
14. NEW; extended referencing guide
Study Skills Customised for Nursing
These were developed by SWAPWest with a working
group of partners in 2008 and contents include:
• An anatomy quiz
• Case studies (asking how the student would approach
the challenges of being a nursing student at University)
• Proofreading a nursing student’s blog for errors
• Using professional language in context of nursing
• How to write a scientific report, referencing and
plagiarism guide
SWAPWest Study Skills Days at GCU
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Welcome from SWAPWest
Q and A with former SWAPWest students
Two 45 minute study skills workshops
Further information about student support at GCU
Departmental staff input & opportunity to ask questions
• Tours of the Department
• studySMART kindly provided
evening sessions and an extra
event for those unable to attend
The Importance of Dialogue
• University staff
• College lecturers
• Stakeholders (e.g. SFC
and SQA)
• studySMART and
Effective Learning
Services
• Other student support
services
• The students themselves!
The benefits of SWAPWest Programme
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Classes comprised of adult returners
Peer support common
College support excellent
Additional support from SWAPWest office
Academic level gradually increases
Guarantees
Includes Preparation for Higher Education
SWAP is a UCAS ‘School’
Lecturers enjoy working with SWAP students
“SWAP taught me to learn again. It is one of the best
things I’ve ever done.”
Denise Ford, former SWAP student at South Lanarkshire College,
now studying Mental Health Nursing at UWS.
“Throughout my return to education there has
been a huge change in my personality; my
confidence has increased so much.”
Imelda Azubuike, former SWAP student at Stow College, now
studying Adult Nursing at GCU.
“I was diagnosed with dyslexia at College, which
explained my difficulties at school. I am determined
to succeed!”
Robert Jenner, former SWAP student at North Glasgow College,
now studying Learning Disability Nursing at GCU.
Contact Details
SWAPWest
Charles Oakley Building
300 Cathedral Street
Glasgow
G1 2TA
Tel: 0141 553 2471
Email: swapwest@btconnect.com
Web: http://www.scottishwideraccess.org
Moodle: http://moodle.swapwest.org