Pathways to College and Employment SCQF 4 (Alness and Thurso) Access

What is special about this course?

Our Pathways to College and Employment course aims to help learners develop skills to enable them to progress onto a vocational college course or employment.

Learners participate in various projects and practical activities which are fun, challenging and rewarding, and at the same time they gain essential skill qualifications in Communication, ICT and Numeracy, Problem Solving, Team Working and Enterprise.

Entry requirements

  • No formal academic qualifications are required but a desire to progress to further education or work is essential.
  • Develop the skills to enable you to progress onto a vocational college course or employment
  • Participate in various projects and practical activities which are fun, challenging and rewarding
  • Gain Essential Skills qualifications in communication, ICT and numeracy, problem-solving, teamwork and enterprise (this is the module you will complete if you choose the part-time study option)
  • You will benefit from the chance to try a wide range of subject areas

How will I study my course?

  • Full Time
  • Part Time

Students will be assessed on a selection of units from across the breadth of the curriculum.

How long will my course last?

1 Academic Year

Where can I study my course?

    • Alness
    • Thurso

Start date

This course starts annually in September and January.

Fees

Find out more about fees, fee waivers and funding options.

What can I do on completion of my course?

  • A wide range of access courses including hospitality, care, health, construction and engineering
  • Or any other appropriate level of course
  • Enhanced employment prospects

Is there more information available online?

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 I chose this course because I could do it close to home. I don’t really know what I want to do and I thought this might help me choose. It helps with my confidence and speaking in front of people. I like learning face to face in a group. I would recommend this course. It’s good to be active and meet new people.

Nikola Rupik (Alness)

 High School wasn’t working for me. They suggested I try college. It was a good move. Its better here and I’ve met new people. The class is small. It’ll help me get into youth work which I am interested in. We go to Dornoch to do cooking on Mondays. I liked cooking. We are learning about enterprise in class, so we plan to do a bake sale. The core skills are really helpful.

Connor Grant (Alness)

 My Mam suggested college when I moved to Wick. I was choosing between a horse care course or this one and I chose this one to get a feel of the college. We do different subjects as well as some basic stuff like computing and numeracy. We’re going out to Dale Farm which is the rural part of the college. We’ll work with horses and see the veterinary side of things. I am really enjoying it and it’s helped me a lot with meeting new people and getting to know the area. We’ve been to Dunnet forest, a working bakery and next we’ll go to a heritage centre. I plan to apply for the horse care course in Wick and that will mean I can do a part time job in care as well. Our lecturers are so good, and they give us all a lot of support.

Mary Banks (Thurso)

Apply for Pathways to College and Employment SCQF 4 (Alness and Thurso) Access

I want to start in 2024/25

We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at UHI North, West and Hebrides. UHI North, West and Hebrides operates a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of age, disability, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity status, race, religion and/or belief, sex, sexual orientation or socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.