Course Catalogue

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The Top-Up programme is a preparation course for Higher Education that is designed for students who are currently applying for, or considering applying for, higher education courses. The Access to a Career Programme is a preparation course for Higher Education that is designed for S4-S6 pupils currently applying for, or considering applying for, Teaching, Accountancy & Finance and Engineering.

Timetable consists of the following:

S4 - 2hr in-school taught class

S5 - 3hr in-school taught class and a 5hr campus session at the University of Glasgow campus including lectures, seminars and taught classes

S6 - Online UCAS personal statement feedback. Interview preparation workshop at the University of Glasgow campus for applicants to Teaching professions

S5/S6 - Pupils must complete the Top-Up Programme. The timetable consists of 1 x 1hr UCAS workshop, 1 x 1 hr Top-Up Workshop/Talk, 10x1hr in-school taught classes/tutorials and one 6hr session on campus which includes participation in a seminar and lecture.

Participants must attend a University of Glasgow target school, be in S4- S6 and intending to apply to University to study Accountancy and Finance, Teaching or Engineering. See the following webpage for more information on participating schools - http://www.gla.ac.uk/about/wideningparticipation/programmesummary/targetschools/#/ 

None

Assessment is conducted using the following methods -

Submission of two essays which illustrate an understanding of the question and present a range of arguments with supporting evidence which is properly referenced - 55% weighting

A student's quality of argument and general contribution to group discussion during a seminar or equivalent set exercise e.g. workshop, at the Access campus session and the Top-Up campus session - 10% weighting

A student's overall ability, understanding and motivation over the programme is recorded by course tutors during taught classes in school and during the two campus session and this is supplemented by a reflective portfolio - 35% weighting

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

The Access to a Career programme (Top-Up Programme) aims to raise aspiration and prepare participants for the transition to, and success in Higher Education (HE) by:

■ Introducing pupils to the professions and the required qualifications.

■ Equipping participants with the essential learning skills required to become successful independent learners

■ Providing opportunities and experiences to develop and apply key skills learned through a range of academic tasks

■ Providing an understanding of career pathways and support with every aspect of the application process and advice from staff and students on becoming an accountant, teacher and engineer.

■ To provide an access route into Teaching, Accountancy & Finance and Engineering.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Conduct independent research from a range of source materials to inform understanding of an academic topic/subject of choice

■ Critically evaluate source materials in preparation for writing an academic essay

■ Confidently present on a given subject, using evidence based arguments, during a group discussion in an academic seminar (or equivalent) environment

■ Understand and apply the rules and conventions of academic writing: employing a referencing system; presentation and structure; and grammar and syntax

■ Convey research on a chosen topic/subject in a piece of academic writing which adheres to HE standards in terms of its critical approach and use of supporting evidence

■ Work with others in ways typical of undergraduate teaching styles common to the subject - this may include, but not be limited to, seminar discussion, group projects, or presentations

■ Develop an understanding of the UCAS application process, and conduct independent research regarding HE, course options and career pathways

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.