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Offices - staff, exams office, vacancies, National and International projects.
What our students say.
Renamed 'HALL OF FAME' by popular demand!
I developed a passion for midwifery after the birth of my second daughter who I had at home and in water. I could not afford to leave work to complete a full time access course or do it in the evenings part time as my husband works shifts. After surfing some Midwifery forums I saw others who had started with the DLC and decided to give it a go. I was quite nervous as I had not been in education since I was 16 (now 34) and was not a great scholar then.
My determination to get into midwifery spurred me on, and I was surprised at what I was capable of. The course itself I did find difficult at times but the tutors were very helpful and supportive, especially towards the end when I had to finish a lot quicker than originally planned. In March I was accepted into Bristol UWE on the Midwifery degree and will be starting shortly. Without the DLC I doubt I could have fulfilled my dream and been accepted into my chosen career.
I found out about the DLC while Googling further education options, as I knew I was going to need evidence of recent study to support my Midwifery application. Finding a course that was tailor-made for my requirements (work from home, at my own pace, not too much money to pay up-front!) was fantastic - I just knew this was all going to work out!
I found the course fascinating, but much harder (and more!) work than I was expecting. I would say to anyone contemplating the DLC to give yourself plenty of time - I personally would recommend at least a year - although of course it depends on how much time you have to dedicate to studying.
The tutors know their stuff and the communication system works well. In my particular case they really had to pull the stops out as, having been offered a place for January 2010, my university had to cancel this intake and in August 2009 I was invited to start in September 2009 instead. I had been anticipating finishing the course over a further leisurely 3 months and instead had to get it all done, including the exam, in a matter of four weeks!
It certainly prepared me for university in terms of hard work and my tutor was absolutely brilliant, turning over my work as fast as she could and liaising with the university on my behalf as my work would not be able to be moderated until November as I had missed the June moderation date.
I have now commenced my degree and have come away from the DLC course with renewed enthusiasm for academic work and increased confidence in my own abilities.
I have thoroughly enjoyed the DLC course! It has been so convenient for me, and being able to work at my own pace meant I felt in control of my own learning. My self confidence increased enormously with each module I completed, and I loved the sense of achievement that came with each mark sheet!
I have surprised myself with how well I have done! The best part for me has definitely been the meeting of like-minded people on the forums; everyone is so supportive and the encouragement of the staff and fellow students are invaluable, particularly during those times when things seem to be a struggle!
I'm very grateful to DLC for helping me to get on the road to University and realise my dream of becoming a Midwife!
After 23 years in the military the course provided by DLC has given me the platform to go on to study in the exciting and challenging field of Diagnostic Radiography at the University of Cumbria. DLC has provided me the skill set and confidence which has enabled me to embark on a completely different career path and the opportunity to hopefully fulfil my academic potential.
The Access to Higher Education through the DLC has given me the flexibility to accommodate study around my family and other work commitments in order to fulfil my dream to become a midwife. Without this course I would not be able to follow my dream and have enjoyed getting back to studying again.
The course has also given me a huge confidence boost in firstly being able to complete it in the given timescale and also, not just pass the course, but achieve high marks for some of my work. I now really believe that I can do my degree and that childbirth and several years as a parent haven't completely destroyed all of my brain cells!
Thank you to DLC for giving me this opportunity to fulfil my dream and gain both my qualifications and confidence.
I'm Natalie and I am 22 years old and live in Manchester. I have just completed the Access to Higher Education Diploma in Nursing, Midwifery and Healthcare Professions, and must say I loved it. Working full-time and studying for other qualifications at the same time as this was difficult, but all the Tutors at the DLC were brilliant. They are all very understanding and always there to help.
The course itself was very interesting and covers many topics from the core subjects needed for your career pathway, Maths, English and I.T. So if you are not very confident about these subjects (and I wasn't great at Maths at School) then it's definitely a course I would recommend.
Thanks to my course with the DLC, I am now studying Bio-medical Science (Foundation) at University along with Anatomy, Physiology and Clinical Sciences. I am now on route to fulfilling my dream.
I would recommend the DLC to anybody looking to study an Access to Higher Education course. It will give you confidence, improve your self-esteem and get you on your way to achieving your career dreams. Good Luck to all current and future Students x
I left school when I was 16 with average GCSEs and went into a secretarial job which I worked in for 10 years. I felt stuck in a rut and thought there was going to be no way I could ever fulfil my dream of becoming a midwife. I didn't have the qualifications needed for university and I didn't have the opportunity to attend college during the day as I have a young child so when I found the Distance Learning Centre online I was over the moon. It was the ideal option. I could work from home, working at my own pace and at a time that was best for me which meant that I could have the best of both worlds, spend precious time with my son and do my studies on an evening without breaking the bank as I paid monthly for the course.
I found the course very enjoyable and I had some highs and some lows but I had great support from not only my tutor but other DLC'ers too and have made some good friends. I am so proud to say that I completed the course and gained a place at the University of Cumbria to study midwifery.
A few years ago I would never have thought I would have been able to complete any kind of course never mind get a place at uni to study midwifery so I would definitely say "if I can do it.....you can too!".
A big thank you DLC X
I enrolled with DLC after deciding I wanted to pursue a degree in midwifery, it was the best way for myself to gain entry into university due to having two small children. I found the materials easy to understand and had good support from all my tutors. The best thing was being able to work at my own pace and not having set times at which to work to.
I enrolled in October 2008 and managed to complete by June 2009. I am now due to start Worcester University later this year, where I will study a further 3 years to obtain my degree in midwifery.
Being able to complete the access to nursing course through DLC has made life so much easier for me. I was able to do the work completely at my own pace, and had fantastic support from my personal tutor who was extremely supportive throughout, even when personal issues arose.
Including the personal support, the student forums have been invaluable. This allowed me to share opinions, ask questions, and meet others going through the same course.
I believe that DLC is heading in the right direction, by showing its dedication by supporting adults to return to education through distance learning.
My name is Stephanie; I am 31 years old and mum to 3 children aged 7 years and under. I started the DLC course when my youngest was just 6 weeks old. I can highly recommend this course to anyone with family or work commitments as you can work around your daily routine and fit your studies in as and when it suits you.
The course itself is flexible, interesting, challenging and a fantastic way to prepare you for higher education. On completion of my Access Diploma I feel more than ready to commence my adult nurse training. Over the past year I have built the foundations for my future studies and feel confident that I now have the ability to settle into university study and look forward to the new challenges ahead.
I highly recommend DLC for their professionalism, knowledge, and above all for the advice, direction and support received from my personal tutor throughout.
Offered a place at Wolverhampton University to study the Diploma in Adult Nursing starting February 2010 or possibly October 2009 if a place becomes available.
I had wanted to study midwifery for a number of years but never thought it possible as I didn't have the relevant qualifications to apply. I knew I couldn't afford to leave work and complete an access course full time so I thought there was no way in for me. Then I discovered the DLC.
I had been searching on the web for distance based access courses and was delighted when I found one that was specifically tailored for people wanting to study midwifery. I did my research and discovered that many others had done the course and got into higher education institutions and I even checked with the universities I was hoping to apply to so I knew this wasn't a scam.
I enrolled straight away and didn't look back. I thoroughly enjoyed the course and although I hadn't studied for 7 years I soon got into the swing of things. I completed the course in around 8 months while holding down 2 part time jobs and caring for a 3 year old. My proudest moment was gaining a place at university to study midwifery - all my hard work had paid off!
I am starting a degree in Midwifery at Chester University on 21st September 2009.
Studying the Access to Midwifery Diploma has been a great way for me to improve my study skills in many areas. Before starting the course, I was a full-time mother to two children. Studying from home has allowed me to spend more time with my children, as I have been able to choose when to study.
I have thoroughly enjoyed studying with the Distance Learning Centre and feel I have been encouraged and supported fully. My tutors have been both professional and understanding and always able to answer my questions quickly, which has helped my progress through the course enormously.
I can now start my degree in midwifery at Bournemouth University in September. Many thanks to all the staff at DLC, who have helped me to work towards my goal to become a midwife.
The DLC course has enable me to follow my dream to become a paramedic after working for the ambulance service in the control centre for the last 5 years. I have a son and due to childcare and my working hours I was unable to attend a traditional college access course.
The course is hard work, and you really have to be quite dedicated to make yourself study when you know there are no deadlines as such, but it is completely worth the time and effort invested. There were times when the prospect of writing an essay after working all day is highly unappealing, but the satisfaction you gain from knowing its done is huge!
I was a little concerned about doing the course via distance learning, but I really didn't need to be, the staff at the DLC are fantastic, with weekly phone calls and very prompt replies to emails I never felt unsupported, the DLC forum is great too and it's reassuring to know that other students are experiencing the same highs and lows as you. Reading success stories of those who have started university is really inspiring.
Thanks you all at the DLC for the support and encouragement you have shown to me over the last 9 months, I wouldn't be here without you all!
Starting FdSc Paramedic Science at University of West England in September 2009.
Whilst surfing the net to find if there was such a thing as a distance learning course for midwifery I was pleasantly surprised to find that such a thing existed. As soon as I found the DLC website I instantly made inquiries to the admin tutor and was glad to know that this was not a hoax, this is a real course for people who would like to do an access course and is ideal for those who want to study Midwifery and not just a science based access course. Within a month of finding the website I had started my midwifery access course.
The university that I really wanted to go to stated that I needed to gain 60 level 3 credits to get onto their midwifery programme. At first I panicked and was stressed out and thought the worse, but after talking to my tutor was pleased to know that studying with the DLC enabled me to not only just get the standard 45 level 3 credits, but also any more additional credits that I needed. I liked the idea that I was able to have a choice of what modules I wanted to study and did not have to stick to a set structure. The fact that I needed to get more credits meant that I needed to do a lot more work than most who will study with the DLC. It was a daunting idea for me at first and I did not think I was able to do it in time, but speaking to my family and tutor reassured me and pulled me back to reality. This gave me the motivation and fire that I needed for me to get the work done.
Now that I have finished and passed my course, it feels weird to not do anything, which I know and am sure will all change as soon as September comes.
My name is Lisa; I'm married with 3 children. My ambition has always been to become a Midwife.
About 3 years ago I decided that the time was right to embark upon my journey so I undertook a couple of Open University courses that I thought would put me in a better position. However, whilst these courses were enjoyable and increased my chances of obtaining a place at University, they did not offer a course that covered maths, as this was something that I need to achieve. I didn't relish the thought of undertaking a GCSE in maths and as I was unable to attend college at that time I searched the internet for an access course that I could study at home, this is when I came across DLC, and to my relief it was also QAA accredited.
I didn't think twice about enrolling and off the email went! Eager to get started I enrolled and started my course in May 2008.
Along the way I had my up's and down's, none more so than when I had to have an operation back in November, at this point my tutor continued to call me on a weekly basis and offer support and encourage me to continue with my studies again, whilst also showing a genuine interest in me.
In December 2008, following an interview at Wolverhampton University I was offered a place.
To sum up the DLC access course I would say it's challenging, informative and most of all enjoyable. But I would also like to thank my tutor because I feel that without her help, guidance and support I would have not continued. She's feels more like a friend than my tutor (especially as she knows how impatient I can be!!).
If you have read this and are still unsure, don't be - go for it, you have got nothing to lose but everything to gain.
Best wishes x
I hadn't studied for nearly 12 years when I started the course. I have really gained confidence and feel prepared for my midwifery degree.
I have found the course to be perfect for me. I have 2 small children and wanted to be at home with them before I went to uni, so it fitted into my life perfectly.It was also a good option for me financially, being able to pay monthly.
I have a place to study midwifery at the University of Cumbria and I would definitely recommend DLC, especially if you have work or family commitments. Brilliant Thanks. Nikki.xx
I started the access course in December 2007 after being unable to enrol in a local college until September 2008. I was not willing to wait that long and after some internet searching I came across the DLC. As a mum of 3 with a husband who works full time, I found that this course worked well as it allowed me to work at my own pace and around my family commitments.
Before I found the DLC I thought that a career in Nursing would just be my pipe dream but the support I received from my tutor was second to none, she was fantastic, always there when I needed support. I very nearly quit the course in the summer but thanks to my tutors faith in me and her encouragement I went on to pass the course in November 2008.
I now have a place at Liverpool John Moores University and will start in February 2009. I am proud of my achievements so far and now realise that my dream will become reality with my newfound confidence and self belief. This course is affordable and well worth the money. Thanks again to the DLC staff and especially my tutor.
Distance Learning helped me in a way I can never fully explain. I was never able to complete anything, I give up easily. When I was 15 years old, I moved to the UK with no qualifications. I could not continue with my education so I found a job. I was stuck in the same position for a long period of time. I thought to myself, "I need to do something with my life", so I enrolled on the Access Course. To begin with things seemed hard and my tutor would always say to me, "You are doing well", and as much as I wanted to give up, I felt that maybe I should just give it a try. I passed my first assignment, and I was like "Wow I did it, but seven more to go". I was scared, but every time I spoke to my tutor she gave me the confidence and strength to keep pressing on.
For all those considering studying with the DLC, I would recommend it. You see, the importance of education is very clear. Education is the key to a successful life and it open doors wherever you go. I applied for a degree in Medical Laboratory Technology in Malaysia and the qualification was accepted without a problem. To me this Access Course did not only open doors for me in the UK, it also opened doors abroad too.
Now I can choose what I want to do with my life, which is a privilege I never had before. With that in mind I would like to thank my Tutor for the hard work she did for me, her patience and most of all the time she spent trying to put me on the right track. Do not give up, live your dream. DLC is the stepping stone you need...
My name is Tracey and I am married with two children, 14 and 4. I decided to do an Access course but could not find one near me at my local colleges that suited me. The hours were unsociable and did not work out beneficial to me with my husbands job or around the children. After doing some research I found the DLC!! To my relief it is QAA approved and just what I was looking for and could not believe my luck. I made an enquiry and within about 3 days was up and running and on my first module. I did the Access to Midwifery course. I have always wanted to do midwifery and without the DLC I believe it would have been virtually impossible for me to realise my dream. I could not comit to 3 evenings a week at a local college, but with the DLC I could study whenever I chose to.
I applied to 3 universities and when I mentioned the Access course I was doing at interview they all seemed impressed particularly with the modules I was doing. Having now passed my Access course modules and the exam I am now due to start at Edge Hill University at Ormskirk in September 2008. Since joining the DLC and also the forum I have found the support from the tutors exceeding my expectations. I thought I would have difficulty reaching them but they were always at the end of the phone or email when I needed support. I have also made some good friends on the forum and we support each other.
Prior to joining the DLC my confidence was starting to diminish due to personal circumstances and I had the courage to just go for it and now my confidence has rocketed, knowing I can now cope with a 3 year degree in my chosen career of midwifery. This has certainly given me the confidence I never knew I had to better myself and for my family too. If anyone has considered doing an Access course the DLC is the way forward, without this access course I would have been completely lost. Thanks to my tutor for all your support.
It has always been my dream to study midwifery and in order to achieve this it was necessary to gain the appropriate qualifications for entry to higher education.
Working full time and being a mother of one meant that it was impossible to study through the traditional mode of learning and I had almost given up on studying until a midwifery forum directed me to the DLC.
My studies with the DLC started in September 2007 and were finally completed in July 2008. I found studying with the DLC interesting, informative, exciting and sometimes challenging. The weekly calls from my tutor and the course materials were of immeasurable help and the modules studied have improved both my academic and personal skills. There were days I just wanted to throw in the towel and walk away but the support of my family and DLC tutor coupled with the desire to succeed kept me going.
I have finally achieved the required credits needed and I cannot wait to start the midwifery course with the University of Leeds in September 2008.
Thanks to my course tutor and the other DLC staff, I could not have made it without you guys.
I started studying the Access to Midwifery with the DLC back in 2007 but after completing only two modules I gave up, I'm still not sure why, I just wasn't motivated enough. In September 2007 I started at a local college to do the Access course, thinking it would keep me motivated. After two months on that course I found it slow going and had not done any work at all, I also lost confidence as I was told not to apply for Midwifery because I wouldn't get in, so I gave that up.
I decided to start back with the DLC in January 2008, and this time I was determined to succeed. I had already applied to Universities for Midwifery and had interviews. After my first interview I got accepted on the Midwifery degree!
I believe getting that offer of a place and receiving help and support from my tutor kept me motivated enough to complete the Access course with the DLC! I'm now preparing to start University in September and I can't wait! I have waited a long time for this. I feel proud that I managed to pass the Access course as well as looking after my six young children!
Thanks to my tutor for all your help and support, you have been great!
I left school 18 years ago. It was my dream to become a nurse but I didn't know how.
Having a family under my care makes it hard for one to take care of the family and study at the same time. It feels is impossible to achieve what you want. It was like a dream come true when I found DLC.
Thanks to DLC I have now achieved my goal. I've been offered a place at London Southbank University for adult nursing and I have gained my confidence back. I am so happy. Thank you DLC and a big thanks to my tutor.
My name is Lareina and I am 40 years old. I started Access with DLC in October 2007 with a view to starting an adult nursing course on completion. I finished and passed my Access in June and am starting at the University of the West of England in September.
I left school with not particularly great grades and settled for jobs from which I didn't get total satisfaction and yearned for more. Passing the Access course has been a great achievement for me and has unlocked the chance of a great opportunity and future.
Undertaking the Access course with DLC has been fun, interesting and challenging and the support from my tutor has been fantastic, encouraging me all the way until I reached my goal.
Thank you to my tutor and DLC for the wonderful support and interesting modules which have prepared me to a high standard ready for University and my future career as a nurse.
Distance Learning Centre is a fantastic way of getting the qualifications and skills needed for higher education, with great support from the tutors.
My confidence grew so much with each assignment done, if I can do it anyone can! I never thought I would finish as quickly as I did, with four children and a part time job, but I was able to fit it in.
I am now starting a diploma in adult nursing and it's thanks to the Distance Learning Centre.
I decided to take the access to Midwifery course long distance learning because due to work commitments I couldn't go to college. The course allowed me to work in my own time and with a young son and a full time job that is what I needed! All of the Universities accepted the access course and so I thought this was the best path to take.
I found the course really informative and enjoyable, the tutors were great and always on hand if I needed some help. At first I found it quite difficult to write the essays with correct referencing but my tutor sent me examples and that really helped. After that I found the course fairly easy and finished it within 6 months, which I thought was good going seeing as the course was advertised as a year full time at the local colleges.
Thank you so much DLC!
Thanks to the DLC and my tutor, I have now been offered a place at Queen's university to study a Psychology degree. This has been a life long dream of mine. I knew that I would need a lot of support and encouragement in order to achieve my goal. Well, I certainly got that from DLC.
My tutor gave me a lot of support and help when I really needed it and I learnt a great deal in the process. Studying with the DLC has really been a life changing event for me. I could contact my tutor by phone or email anytime I needed to. The support was very important to me as I came very close to quitting a few times.
The course is well laid out and easy to follow and the support is top notch. Not only do I have the knowledge to go to university now but also the confidence, which is priceless. Apart from the support given, being able to do it by distance learning was critical at the time. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to go class working as I do as a Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist because my timetable is never the same.
Thank you DLC and a big thanks to my tutor, who was a huge source of help, support and encouragement.
Hello! In February 2005 I made a life changing decision to study ‘Access to Midwifery’ with the Distance Learning Centre. I know it’s a cliché, but if I can succeed you can too!
Having spent fifteen years as a 'stay at home mum' I was determined to return to adult education and pursue my dream of training to be a midwife. Many moons had passed since I left school in 1989 with average grades, so I considered which route my journey would take in order to gain the necessary entry requirements. I was delighted to discover that this was possible via distance learning!
Working from the comfort of your own home has many advantages and for someone like me who has a large family of six children this mode of study proved convenient and achievable! I chose to study over a period of two years to coincide with my youngest starting full time education, during which time I was able to secure a voluntary position at the local hospital to aid my application.
The Distance Learning Centre provides students with a personal tutor for the duration of the course. I cannot praise my tutor enough for her support, encouragement and belief in me!
The tutors are very helpful, and there is always help, either by email or phone when needed. ....and the extra bonus is, I was offered a university place on a renownedly difficult entry course-first time! My confidence has also increased, and the self belief that I can actually learn again after ten years out of study!'
Thank you again, for all your help over my time with you. I can't wait to start uni next month, though a little apprehensive at times! The DLC is a fab idea, and I have recommended you to many people, so hopefully I have thrown some work your way! Thanks xxxxx, you are very much appreciated x
I could not believe it I could do things that I never believed I could, this made me feel like I was one step closer to university. Now I am able to do anything put in my way. I am not scared or worried about University I know I can cope with the essays and any other work I will be asked to do. I have worked really hard to make my dream come true, but I could not do it without my tutor who has given me a lot of help and encouragement, she is brilliant very supportive. Thank you xxxxx.
The access has really helped in this area. I am just so glad that I did it. I can use all my coursework to help with all sorts of topics, theories etc that are being used in discussions. I feel confident that I have some prior knowledge of all these areas including biology and ethics, especially the psychology based subjects, I am really into those. I also pass on certain tips that I may have discussed with you and also feedback from my work.
One girl called me the 'oracle' and they all think that I am the organized one!! Which I found amusing as I never thought of myself as anything like that, showing that the course has boosted my confidence.