Exploring the Past: a new pathway into Higher Education
03/06/2010
John Fraser and Dr David Wyatt
Aspiring adult learners with ambitions to study History and Archaeology are being offered an alternative pathway into Higher Education.
This autumn Cardiff University will open the gates to Exploring the Past: a new educational pathway for individuals wanting to study History and Archaeology at Cardiff University. The pathway has been developed in partnership with Cardiff University’s Centre for Lifelong Learning and the School of History, Archaeology and Religion and will provide a focussed, well-structured alternative route on to Degree Schemes in History, Ancient History and Archaeology at Cardiff University.
The specialist pathway is designed to provide individuals with the knowledge, skills and the intellectual preparation needed to study the subject at degree level. In conjunction it will provide individuals with educational development, guidance and support within a timetable that caters for lifestyle and commitments of busy adult learners.
All students that successfully complete the pathway programme will automatically qualify for an interview onto either a full-time or part-time Degree Scheme in History, Ancient History or Archaeology. In order to complete the pathway programme, students will be required to study six exciting and innovative 10 credit courses in archaeology and history - ancient, medieval and modern.
Exploring the Past was officially launched during Adult Learners’ Week at ‘Getting Medieval’ - a free hands-on learning day at Cosmeston Medieval Village. Members of the public and guests, including Councillor John Fraser, learnt about the new Pathways and also had the opportunity to discover and experience how ordinary people lived and worked in a real fourteenth century village by taking part in medieval chanting, excavating and trying out medieval weapons.
Peter Van-Stratten attended the launch and could potentially one of the first students to enrol onto the new programme. He said: “I decided to look into further/adult education a couple of years ago and thoroughly enjoyed the courses I took and accrued credits for my studies but didn’t know what to do with these credits really. I had heard about “Exploring The Past Pathways” and decided, after taking a look at what was on offer through the University, that I would go further with it as it would give me the opportunity to achieve something that has, until now been out of reach, the possibility of a degree. Further education can be a bit daunting as us “more mature students” sometimes can feel it is beyond us but with the pathways and the support from all the very friendly University Staff, any goal I would like to achieve has come that much closer”.
Dr David Wyatt, Pathways Co-ordinator, said: “The Exploring the Past Foundation Pathways are deliberately diverse: it includes history, archaeology and ancient history. This multi-period, multi-disciplinary structure is designed to broaden students’ horizons and the cutting-edge courses have been developed specifically to reflect the subjects that are taught and researched within the School of History, Archaeology and Religion at Cardiff. Unlike A level and Access routes, the Exploring the Past Foundation Pathways will be taught and assessed in similar ways to first year undergraduate courses and will provide students with first hand experience of studying at degree level in a vibrant Higher Education environment.”
Exploring the Past is open to all and there are no formal entry requirements. Fee waivers are available for those on DWP benefits or claiming tax credits. A full outline of the programme will be available shortly. For more information please contact Dr David Wyatt, WyattD1@cardiff.ac.uk.
Note to editors
1. For more information on the Exploring the Past Foundation Pathway please contact Dr David Wyatt Email: WyattD1@cardiff.ac.uk Tel: 029 2087 0000.
2. Cardiff Centre for Lifelong Learning
Cardiff University is the largest provider of adult education in Wales. The Centre provides around 400 Lifelong Learning Courses a year. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) provides short courses for business, public sector employers and the individual. The Centre also provides business language training at all levels, including translation services and interpreters.
3. Cardiff University
Cardiff University is recognised in independent government assessments as one of Britain’s leading teaching and research universities. Founded by Royal Charter in 1883, the University today combines impressive modern facilities and a dynamic approach to teaching and research. The University’s breadth of expertise in research and research-led teaching encompasses: the humanities; the natural, physical, health, life and social sciences; engineering and technology; preparation for a wide range of professions; and a longstanding commitment to lifelong learning. Cardiff is a member of the Russell Group of Britain’s leading research universities.
Visit the University website at: www.cardiff.ac.uk
For further information contact:
Jayne McGill
Cardiff Centre for Lifelong Learning
Cardiff University
Tel: 029 2087 6342
Email: mcgillj3@cardiff.ac.uk