SWAPWest Induction 2019-20

Every student should have received a ‘Welcome Pack’ from SWAP. The welcome pack has all of the information from this presentation in it, as well as your SWAP Student Agreement. 2

Sign the Register A paper registration form will be circulated By signing the register, you agree to the terms of the Learner Agreement and indicate that you have received a copy of it for reference Please only tick the box if you have already registered online as a SWAP student If not, leave it blank and we will follow up

2 1 3 4 Registration www.ScottishWiderAccess.org You must register as a SWAP student. Register as soon as possible. Do not delay.

What is SWAP? Access Programmes that progress to HNC/D or degree For adults who do not have entry requirements and who have been out of education for years 35,000+ students since 1987 SWAP is national; we are SWAPWest Partnership of colleges & universities in the West

Contents of SWAP Programme Three components of the SWAP programme: Study and pass 18 academic units (SQA units) Preparation for Higher Education (PHE) unit SWAP Student Profile grades at end of the year You must pass all units and PHE to complete the programme.

SWAP Part 1: SQA Units A mixture of SQCQ Level 5 and Level 6 units SCQF 5 = Standard Grade (credit), Int 2, Nat 5 SCQF 6 = Highers Core units in Communication (equates to English) and Maths Variety of other science subjects relating to science, health and/or medicine

SWAP Part 2: Prep for HE PHE is an essential part of SWAP and is comprised of independent work, class work and university visits A) Class work Work through the PHE modules throughout the year Download from SWAPWest website or college VLE B) University visits Open days, applicant visit days SWAP events: Universities Info Day and Study Skills Days

Where to find Prep for HE www.ScottishWiderAccess.org

Prep for HE Timeline Follow the timeline

PHE modules are designed to help you: Think about how you study Identify strengths and weaknesses Improve skills in research, reading and writing for academic work Learn how to reference properly Check that you’re maintaining a good work-life-study balance and a sense of wellbeing Apply properly to university as a SWAP student Write an effective Personal Statement Prepare for interview Get help with the financial side of being a full-time student Modules are accessible from the SWAPWest website

Your tutor may (or may not) organise some things to do as a class. Preparation for HE Your tutor may (or may not) organise some things to do as a class. You may also organise study groups yourself to do certain exercises together You may do some things on your own at home. Whatever works best for you and your class tutor

Example 1: typical Prep for HE exercise

Example 2: typical Prep for HE exercise

Prep for HE is an opportunity:

SWAP Part 3: Final Profile All tutors contribute to the profile and agree your final grades (A-D) Grades comment on your preparedness for Higher Ed First 2 grades will depend on your progression, they will vary if you are progressing to biology & chemistry related subjects or maths, physics and engineering. Medical studies is a separate profile. Please discuss this with your tutor when you receive them from university. Grade 3: Overall performance (attendance; working well with others; responsiveness to feedback, etc.) Also confirms you’ve passed all units, including Prep for HE Essential part of your university condition

Learner Agreement Formalisation of things covered today Please read carefully NB: Disclosure of criminal convictions Sign register to confirm you have read & accepted terms Tick to show that you have registered online already

Progression Routes List of university degrees you can apply for using your SWAP programme State the requirements for entry – please read carefully Some places are limited and entry is competitive Some places are subject to selection and/or interview Progression routes become available in late October Contact SWAP before you apply to any courses that do not appear in the progression routes.

Progression Routes Universities will set conditions: Others will ask for profile grades (e.g BBB or ‘B’ profile) Some may ask you to include specific units Science (not biology), Engineering & Maths at Strathclyde will require summer school (pass with A grade) Some courses require you to pass each assessment and achieve at or above a certain percentage (E.g. vision sciences at GCU)

Careful Planning Required! Later in the year you may have the opportunity to select additional/optional units Do your research on your preferred universities and courses Find out which units you need to meet their conditions Speak to your class tutor/SWAP if any questions

Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Required for any student who will come into contact with vulnerable people You must disclose to the college (your tutor) as soon as possible: All previous criminal charges Even if they did not result in conviction Even if you think they are “spent” If uncertain, contact Kenny Anderson at SWAP (0141 564 7206) for advice.

UCAS - please wait until instructed to apply You must apply through SWAP – not your College! SWAP is treated as a UCAS ‘school’ Use SWAP buzzword: swapwest2020 Deadline UCAS (Medicine, Vet Med, Dentistry) = 15th October Other UCAS = 15th January (college deadline will be in December) Cost 1 choice = £20, more than 1 choice = £25 http://www.ucas.ac.uk/ Download Prep for HE UCAS and Personal Statement guides and use the guidance on the UCAS website.

SWAP Student Mentoring Network www.facebook.com/groups/swapmentors/ Or email: swapwest@scottishwideraccess.org for an invitation

Contact Us SWAPWest c/o Glasgow Kelvin College 123 Flemington Street Springburn Glasgow G21 4TD Tel: 0141 564 7206 Email: swapwest@scottishwideraccess.org Web: http://www.scottishwideraccess.org Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/swapwest Director – Kenny Anderson Development Officers – Dr. Lisa Marsili, Amy Angus, Andrew Quinn, Paula Christie Administrators – Erica O’Neill, James Burns, Karin Surgeoner