The University of Dundee opened its doors to another 86 hopeful students this week for the 10th annual summer school access course.
Recognised throughout the UK as one of the best examples of an access programme, the University of Dundee's Wider Access Study Centre (WASC) is currently putting 86 students through ten weeks of intensive study and skills courses with the promise of a place on a degree course if they make the grade.
Andrew Blacklaw (19) from Dundee left school a year ago but decided recently that it would be worth his while pursuing higher education. He says: "It was raining right up until the day we started summer school, but although the sun is shining and the golf course is calling, it's worth it to keep my head in the books. I want to start a degree in politics this autumn so am determined to pass summer school."
Nikolas Ritchie (17) from Arbroath is studying at summer school as a back up plan to get into University incase his school results are not as good as he hopes. He says: "I'm really learning to prioritise my work. The workload is demanding but it is manageable if you can organise your assignments and time.
Universities UK recently reported that many of the myths of access remained but were gradually being overcome with the University of Dundee leading the way. In particular, fears and prejudices that students from poorer and non-traditional higher education backgrounds would "dumb down" the level of education in Universities have been proven wrong. Statistics compiled by the director of access at the University of Dundee show that access students perform above the national Scottish average with more of them gaining first and upper second class degrees than the Scottish average.
Dr John Blicharski, Director of the Wider Access Study Centre at the University of Dundee said: "Universities UK recent Social Class and Participation report confirms the value of the work we have been doing in widening access at the University of Dundee over the past ten years. Now other universities are copying our successful model. Our research shows that our access students are achieving as good as, if not better results than students who enter University through traditional routes and we are delighted with their success. We are currently putting another 86 students through summer school and hope that if they pass their courses and perform well we will be able to offer them places to start degrees in October."
Contact Dr John Blicharski 01382 344124