This course offers an excellent opportunity for adult learners who would like to progress to an undergraduate degree in the arts, social sciences or education at university. It is ideally suited to anyone looking for a change of career and considering primary teaching.
The SWAP course is built from SQA Units and involves one-year full-time study. The units selected on the Access to Arts, Social Sciences and Education programme have been agreed with the partner Higher Education Institutions.
SWAP students also study a unit called Preparation for Higher Education which includes core skills, study skills, reflective exercises on student progress and visits to universities.
Everything you need to know before applying to this course.
You do not require any formal qualifications however:
SQA Highers and SQA Units
Those wishing to progress to undergraduate studies in primary teaching will be entered for the Higher English and National 5 external exams.
If English is not your first language, please view the specific English language requirements for this course.
If you are studying a full-time non-advanced course (below HNC level), you may be entitled to funding.
You can apply for a full-time course online or using a paper form.
Open Days are a great way to find out more about this course and what it’s like to study at NESCol. You will see facilities, meet lecturers and get a feel for life as a student.
Our next Open Day will take place on 15 March 2025.
NESCol can provide extra support to students who have additional support needs, including:
You may be eligible for additional funding to support the cost of living, including travel costs, cost of materials, and childcare.
Find out more about the types of funding and whether you are eligible here
This course is a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) programme. This means that you are required to have access to your own laptop computer, netbook or similar device in class each day that you are in college.
This may be funded or part-funded by a bursary, if you are eligible to receive one.
Whether you wish to progress in your studies or enter the world of work, North East Scotland College has excellent progression opportunities, with links to several universities across Scotland and strong relationships with industry employers.
Students who successfully complete the course may wish to gain additional qualifications at College by undertaking a Highers programme.
Successful completion of this course will allow you to apply for a wide range of degree programmes at a number of partner universities — visit the SWAP website for more information.
“I met a lot of lovely people on the course, some were adult returners like me, but I also got on well with a lot of the younger students and we had some excellent discussions and debates. “
“I really came out of my shell throughout my years of studying and have made many memories!”
“I’d advocate the brilliant experience that is North East Scotland College to anyone thinking about returning to learning. “
“NESCol gave me the knowledge, skills, and most importantly, the self-belief to continue my studies at university.”
“I absolutely loved my time at NESCol. It was a much better fit for me than school and a great environment to learn in.
“I’m so glad that I came to NESCol because it really has been a life changing experience. I think Social Sciences is a great place to be if you’re curious about the world or if there’s something that really frustrates you about the system and you’d really like to see it change. Studying an HND in Social Sciences really helped me to see the world in a better light. The department has such down to earth, friendly, normal staff and I would jump at the chance to finish my studies at the college if I could. Choose College – it really is a wonderful place!”
“My time at college helped me see that I actually wanted to study psychology at university rather than a more broad-based social sciences course. If I hadn’t gone to college first, I wouldn’t have had the chance to discover that so I’m really glad I had the opportunity to properly explore the subject area before making a final decision.”
“I found my time at college to be the perfect link between leaving school and starting university. The course was interesting, the assessments were rigorous and gave me the skills to work alone, as well as part of a group, which served me well at university. The lecturers were engaging and treated students as adults which created a good atmosphere for learning.”
“NESCol really prepared me for the step up to university. I would definitely recommend college if you don’t feel ready to go straight to university when you leave school.”
“I achieved things at NESCol both academically and personally that I didn’t think possible but with the help of lecturers and friends I made on the course, I feel I have grown as a person.”
North East Scotland College offers hundreds of courses each year, apply for one now.
You can apply for a place on this course by completing an online application form, which you can access using the ‘Apply Online’ button. Once completed, this will be received by our Admissions Team who will then process your application.
Completed forms should be signed and returned to us at the following freepost address:
The Student Information & Admissions Manager
North East Scotland College
FREEPOST RTJJ-TXBA-AEZS
Aberdeen City Campus
Gallowgate
Aberdeen
Scotland
UK AB25 1BN
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If you take up a place on a College course, at the start of the course you will be asked to complete an enrolment form. In completing the form and/or taking up a place on a College course, you will enter into a contract with the College and be bound by the North East Scotland College Standard Terms and Conditions of Study. Copies of the Terms and Conditions are available for inspection on notice boards and at various locations throughout the College, at the College Reception, on the College website: nescol.ac.uk, or can be obtained on request from the Student Funding and Admissions Manager, North East Scotland College, Aberdeen City Campus, Gallowgate, Aberdeen AB25 1BN. Please note that courses are offered subject to (a) there being sufficient numbers of enrolments and (b) the availability of resources. The College reserves its right (i) not to run courses where the number of students is considered insufficient or where resources are unavailable and (ii) in certain circumstances, to refuse admission to an individual applicant.
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