Qualification Focus: Forest Schools
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This section provides information and resources for students who are currently enrolled on Access courses validated by Laser Learning Awards.
LASER is the organisation which guarantees the quality and standards of the Access Diploma offered by the centre at which you are studying. We also issue the final Access Diploma certificates at the end of your course. Additionally, we support Access to HE across all of our approved centres by working with tutors in colleges and admissions staff in universities as well as holding events and conferences.
Find out direct from a former student by reading the Anna Morgan Case Study
LASER are proud to be working with Higher Education institutions to develop progression agreements, enabling students to confidently apply to universities. We currently have confirmed agreements with Goldsmiths, University of London, the LIBF and the University of Winchester. Details of these agreements are available to download below, and we are working on developing further agreements across the South East.
Access to HE Diplomas are recognised within the UCAS Tariff, with points allocated based on your grade profile. View the full UCAS Tariff table.
This guide has been developed by LASER to support Access students in writing essays, reports and other pieces of academic work. It introduces the Harvard and MHRA referencing systems and links to useful web resources. While your Access Diploma course may not require you to use either of these systems, familiarity will be beneficial for your future university studies Follow this link to download the LASER Guide to Referencing or download the summary guide here.
At the end of each year, we run an Access prize scheme for students studying on LASER validated Access courses. We invite each college to nominate a student in each of the categories of Outstanding Academic Achievement and Outstanding Commitment to Study. Winners and runners up receive a monetary prize. The winners in each category are then entered for a national Access prize scheme where the winners receive a further monetary prize and have their prizes awarded at a national event. Ask your Access tutor for more information.
There is a charge for replacement certificates.* Full details on the information required can be found hereand you will need to complete the Re-issue formand return along with the fee and proof of identity to Laser Learning Awards, The Innovation Centre,University Road, Canterbury, CT2 7FG or via email: accessenquiries@laser-awards.org.uk
*there is an additional fee for overseas postage
Please note: Whilst Access to HE has been offered in a variety of forms from the 1970s, the first formal specification was introduced by QAA in 2003, prior to this results data was not centralised and Access to HE was delivered locally by colleges in collaboration with local universities and Access consortiums. No centralised records were held and all records were kept at a local level. The requirement was for records to be kept for a maximum of 7 years and all returns were completely paper-based until around 2006.
While LASER ensures the academic standards on your Access Diploma course, the organisation providing your course should be your first point of contact for appeals or complaints.
Where possible discuss issues with your Access tutor or a manager at the college. We require you to exhaust all college procedures before appealing to us. If all appeals and complaints procedures within the college have been exhausted, download the Access Student Appeals Guide to see if you have grounds to complain or appeal directly to us. Use the Access Student Complaint Appeal Form to lodge a complaint or make an appeal.
All appeals and complaints about the outcome or conduct of your Access course should be sent to LASER no later than one month following the Final Awards Board (for standard academic year provision this would be no later than the 31 August of your current academic year) but you are advised to start this process as soon as possible after receiving your results.
If you wish to appeal against an assessment or grading decision whilst you are on the course, your college will operate a process described as a Student Representation whereby you can discuss any grades awarded and make an appeal. Please discuss this process directly with your Access course centre.
QAA Access pages for Students: dedicated pages for Access from the external regulator
UCAS (University & Colleges Admissions Service): the organisation which processes university applications
The Student Room: a free web forum with lots of links to resources
Advanced Learner Loans: the official government website with full details.
Directgov – Student Finance: A good starting point for information on funding higher education and Access Courses
We hope this information helps you navigate your Access course successfully. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please don't hesitate to contact us.
