But Ann’s journey into higher education was far from straightforward. As a teenager, she struggled to maintain focus at school and left with poor GCSE grades. Like many young people at the time, she joined a Youth Training Scheme, similar to today’s apprenticeships, first studying child and vulnerable adult care before moving into retail. 

In 2000, at the age of 29 and with two young children, Ann left retail with dreams of a new challenge with long-term prospects. Fastrack proved to be the ideal opportunity as a mature student.  

“I was searching for something more meaningful, a role with challenge, purpose and longterm prospects. I knew I had to change my future, I needed to go to university. 

“Enrolling on Fastrack was one of the hardest but best things I have ever done.  

“I never imagined that a free, short-term programme would lead to a fulfilling career in higher education, a degree, a postgraduate qualification and a leadership role within a university.” 

After completing Fastrack, Ann, from St Helens, went on to graduate in English with Creative Writing and has since achieved a PGCE in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. 

A dyspraxia diagnosis did not prevent Ann from pursuing and achieving her career goals. While working at Edge Hill, she was awarded a Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy and became a member of the University’s Board of Governors. 

She added: “Edge Hill gave me an opportunity that changed my life and I’m very proud of what I’ve achieved. 

“Now I get to help others in the same position I was in realise that their background doesn’t define their potential.” 

Edge Hill University’s Fastrack programme offers adults aged 21 and over the chance to access higher education, even if they don’t currently hold the qualifications required. 

The free full-time course begins with a oneweek induction, followed by six weeks of oncampus study designed to develop academic skills, subject knowledge and most importantly, confidence to succeed University level education.  

Find out more at the Fastrack Information Evening on Wednesday 4 March at 5:30pm.

The post ‘Your background doesn’t define your potential’ appeared first on Edge Hill University.

She felt “stuck” because she didn’t have the right qualifications to apply for a degree but once she heard about Edge Hill’s free Fastrack course, designed to prepare people like Lorna for higher education, a plan started to take shape. 

Lorna successfully completed the programme and went on to study an undergraduate degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy, progressing to complete an MSc Psychology (Conversion). 

She now works as a senior psychotherapist at Wilderness Way in Penrith, a provider of residential care for children who have experienced trauma, exploitation or crisis, and credits Fastrack with transforming her future. 

“I’ve always been drawn to work that allows me to make a difference in the lives of people who may not have had the easiest start,” she said. 

“Supporting children felt like a natural calling. Children show incredible resilience, and when someone believes in them – even just one consistent adult – it can completely shift the direction of their lives. 

“Without the Fastrack programme, I wouldn’t have been able to build the career I have now, because I’d never have known my own capabilities. 

“The course made me realise I had the capacity for learning and it built my confidence hugely. The lecturers were so supportive and knowledgeable. 

“If you’re thinking about changing your career but feel unsure, Fastrack is the perfect place to begin. I know how overwhelming it can feel when you’ve been out of education for a long time, or when life hasn’t taken a straightforward path – but that doesn’t limit what you’re capable of.” 

During Lorna’s studies at Edge Hill, she developed her theoretical understanding and practical skills, which prepared her for a rewarding role in child mental health. 

“I support our clinical team to deliver highquality, evidencebased therapeutic care for vulnerable children. 

“Every day is different and we’re all there to make a difference. Even the smallest wins can mean the world.” 

Edge Hill University’s Fastrack programme offers adults aged 21 and over the chance to access higher education, even if they don’t currently hold the qualifications required. 

The free full-time course begins with a oneweek induction, followed by six weeks of oncampus study designed to develop academic skills, subject knowledge and most importantly, confidence to succeed University level education.  

Find out more at the Fastrack Information Evening on Wednesday 4 March at 5:30pm.

The post From Fastrack to fulfilling career supporting vulnerable children appeared first on Edge Hill University.

What is Fastrack? Is it for you? And how can you get involved?

If you’re wondering what Fastrack is and whether it’s the right option for you, you’ve come to the right place. If you’re someone who doesn’t hold the qualifications to study a degree and has been out of education for a while, this is the perfect opportunity for you. Read on to see what our previous Fastrack students have said about their experiences.

So what is Fastrack?

Our Fastrack programme is a specially designed route into higher education for adults aged 21 and over, who are looking begin a degree but may not currently meet the standard entry requirements. If you are under 21 please contact us to discuss your options.

It’s a short, full-time, intensive course that begins with a one-week online induction, followed by six weeks of full time on-campus study. The programme is designed to help you develop the academic skills, subject knowledge and confidence needed to progress onto a full undergraduate degree. What’s more, our Fastrack programme is completely free.

For those interested in Nursing: applicants aged 18-21 may be eligible to apply but progression is limited to the Nursing Associate Foundation degree.

“I decided to apply to test myself, to see if I was capable of academic study. I wanted to know whether full-time study would work alongside my complicated family life and carer roles. I went into Fastrack wondering if I could make it to the end and came out of it wishing it wasn’t over.”

Kara, BSc (Hons) Child & Adolescent Mental Health & Wellbeing

Who is the Fastrack programme for?

Our Fastrack programme is ideal for adults aged 21+ who are returning to education and:

• don’t currently hold qualification or the grades required for degree study but do have relevant life or work experience.
• are looking to change career paths and need a recognised level 3 qualification to take the next step to access a university degree at Edge Hill University.

Whether you’ve taken a different route after leaving school, faced challenges in your education or simply want a fresh start, Fastrack is here to support your journey.

If you’re aged between 18 and 21, your application may be considered, however, it will only be considered for entry onto a Foundation Year programme.

What are the benefits of our Fastrack programme?

There is a range of benefits that come with studying our Fastrack programme, all of which will help you to succeed. You will:

• develop essential skills such as academic writing, critical thinking, reflection and referencing.
• gain subject-specific knowledge relevant to your chosen degree.
• build confidence in a university environment.
• receive personalised support from academic and professional services staff.
• meet other students and become part of the Edge Hill community.

It’s a supportive and empowering way to prepare for degree-level study, especially if you’re returning to education or changing direction.

Entry requirements for our Fastrack programme

To apply, you don’t need formal qualifications. Instead, we look at your individual merit, including:

• a genuine interest in the subject you wish to study,
• enthusiasm and commitment to learning,
• relevant life, work or voluntary experience,
• a willingness to engage with academic challenges,
• motivation to succeed and make the most of university life.

Some degree programmes may have additional entry requirements, such as GCSEs in specific subjects. If this applied to your chosen course, we can support you through Edge Hill’s GCSE Equivalency Tests. While these tests aren’t free, they’re offered at a reasonable cost and provide a flexible alternative to help you meet the necessary criteria. If you’re unsure whether Fastrack is right for you, our Foundation Centre Team will be happy to talk through your options and help you find the best route forward.

Depending on the degree you wish to study, on successful completion of Fastrack, additional progression criteria may apply which must be satisfied before a place on your intended degree can be confirmed.

Progression opportunities

Successful completion of the Fastrack programme allows you to progress directly onto a wide range of undergraduate degrees at Edge Hill University. Here are some of the pathways available:

• Biological Sciences
• Business
• Computing
• Creative Arts
• Education
• English and Creative Writing
• Health
• History, Geography and Social Sciences
• Law and Policing
• Nursing
• Operating Department Practice
• Psychology
• Social Work
• Teaching

These options reflect the wide variety of interests and career goals our students bring with them. Fastrack is designed to help you take the next step with confidence and support.

For Nursing applicants aged 18-21, Fastrack is available to support progression to the Nursing Associate Foundation Degree only.

How to apply

Applying to the Fastrack programme couldn’t be easier. The Fastrack application is a dual application—it covers both the Fastrack programme and your subsequent degree. This means your personal statement should focus on your motivation and readiness for university study in your chosen degree subject, not just Fastrack.

A strong application should include:

• A personal statement that demonstrates your interests, commitment, and suitability for the degree you plan to progress to.
• An interview to explore your goals, assess your readiness, and confirm your suitability for both Fastrack and the degree programme.

This process helps us understand your background, experience, and commitment to learning.

Before you apply, we strongly encourage you to visit our pre-application advice and guidance webpage. It’s packed with useful information, answers to common questions, and tips to help you prepare a successful application. 

“The application process was simple and straightforward with lots of support along the way. I had a video interview that I was apprehensive about, but I was instantly put at ease and spoke freely about my strengths and weaknesses.”

Kara, BSc (Hons) Child & Adolescent Mental Health & Wellbeing

What happens once you’re here?

If you’re successful at interview and receive a place on the course, we’ll contact you with all the details you need to know.

Commitment required

As you can guess by the name of the programme, Fastrack is intensive by design. Week 1 of the course will involve students engaging with some short online tasks. For weeks 2-7, students are expected to attend full-time, weekday sessions on campus from 10am-3pm. In addition to these hours, a significant amount of independent study and coursework is required outside of scheduled sessions. The pace is fast, and turnaround times for assignments are short, so staying on top of your workload is essential.

To succeed, students must meet a 90% attendance requirement, which is monitored throughout the programme. If you’re considering working alongside Fastrack, it’s important to carefully assess whether you can balance both commitments. The programme demands focus, energy and time but the rewards are worth it.

“Fastrack taught me how to approach academic study the Edge Hill way which made my transition to my first year of study really straightforward. The familiarity of the University, knowing my way around and feeling at home made things so much easier. As well as gaining the general study skills that I would need for my degree.”

Kara, BSc (Hons) Child & Adolescent Mental Health & Wellbeing

Supporting you

During this time, you’ll be considered as an Edge Hill student. So you can access all the student support teams for advice and guidance while you’re here. Not only that, but you’ll also become a part of welcoming and friendly community. One that is there to provide advice and guidance when you need it.

“My lecturers were great, they helped me when I was stuck or struggling with direction on assignments. They were always there for guidance and support every step of the way.”

Paul, BSc (Hons) International Business alumni

“I felt empowered by my lecturer who encouraged us all to believe in ourselves. She kept the class focused at all times which helped with getting the work done. As a result, there was a real sense of teamwork within the class, and we all supported one and other.”

Kara, BSc (Hons) Child & Adolescent Mental Health & Wellbeing

What happens straight after Fastrack?

Once you’ve successfully completed your Fastrack course and demonstrated your ability to study at degree level, you will be offered the opportunity to complete a full degree related to the studies you’ve completed. Our Admissions Team will complete a UCAS application on your behalf and they’ll advise you of any other conditions that you may need to meet as part of your offer to study on the programme.

And once you’ve completed your undergraduate degree?

Once you’ve graduated from us, the choice is yours. We’ve been chatting with Paul, a recent Edge Hill graduate, who completed a Fastrack course before studying BSc (Hons) International Business. Since then, he’s founded his own business which has grown to be a huge success.

“I enrolled on the Fastrack programme in 2017 and since then I have set up a six-figure business. I founded my prize business That Prize Guy in November 2019, which has given away over fifty-five million pounds worth of prizes, one of which made someone a millionaire. I’ve sponsored charities, football clubs, athletes, and events all over the UK and Ireland. I attribute my success and where I am now to the people I met and the experiences that I had at Edge Hill University.”

Paul, BSc (Hons) International Business alumni

What can you take away from your Fastrack experience?

Not only will you learn new academic skills, you’ll also have the opportunity to learn more about yourself.

“The main thing I took away from Fastrack was that no matter how tough it got I never gave up. It taught me that I had resilience that I didn’t know about. I showed up on days when my home life was really tough. The feeling of achievement at the end of the seven weeks was amazing. I even went on to achieve a scholarship recognising my exceptional commitment to the course. It was the icing on the cake and a real shock. It’s probably the first time I ever felt proud of myself for an academic achievement.”

Kara, BSc (Hons) Child & Adolescent Mental Health & Wellbeing

So the skills you develop can be taken into your future. And can be applied to multiple walks of life.

The post What is Fastrack? Is it for you? And how can you get involved? appeared first on Edge Hill University.

Welcome to Fastrack 2024

Welcome to Fastrack. While you’re here we have many different campus events just for you. Get involved. Meet new people. Have the ultimate Edge Hill experience.

Fastrack events

Student Life Portal

Want to keep up with everything happening across the EHU campus? Check out the Student Life Portal. Log in with your student account to access a full calendar of events and activities you can get involved with. And best of all, they’re all completely free of charge.

Keep connected

If you haven’t already, join our Fastrack 2024 Facebook group. Here you can chat with your fellow fastrackers and keep up to date with what’s going on around campus.

If you want to be in the loop with all things Edge Hill, follow us on our social media accounts.

For all things student life, be sure to follow our EHU Residents’ accounts.

Get active on campus

Want to keep fit on campus? Join Edge Hill Sport with a short-term membership. The membership will give you access to the sports facilities for 12 weeks for just £25. Everything from swimming in the pool to running on our outdoor track or playing tennis on our courts. It’s all available with an Edge Hill Sport membership.

The post Welcome to Fastrack appeared first on Edge Hill University.

Signing up to a Fastrack course at Edge Hill University in 2015 along with a friend, Jenn enjoyed the seven-week course so much she secured a place to study for a BSc in Biology.

Now eight years later, she has progressed through a postgraduate MRes in Biological Sciences and is currently studying for a PhD in the genetics of maritime species.

“I took a couple of years out and then decided I wanted to get back into education. When I was young I’d always enjoyed being immersed in nature but as I got older, I took a different path and ended up working in a job that wasn’t fulfilling.

“I found the Fastrack course in Biology at Edge Hill and it was perfect for me. Fastrack gave me a foot in the door of higher education, and it’s broadened my horizons to places I never thought I’d go. I’ve done field work in some of the most remote parts of the UK and even travelled to Norway as part of my research.

“I owe all these amazing experiences to taking that first step with Fastrack. It opened up a whole new world of opportunities for me and I’m so thankful I made the decision to give it a try.

“Fastrack is a great taster to see if you want to pursue a degree and I’d recommend it to anyone who’s considering signing up.”

Jenn Clayton-Brown

A short, intensive and free course, Edge Hill’s Fastrack programme has been specifically designed to support progression on to a range of undergraduate degrees at the University.

At an upcoming Fastrack open evening, the Access Programmes team will be delivering talks about the summer 2023 programme.

Visitors will be able to meet subject tutors and student support teams, including Student Finance, Accommodation, and Learning Services.

This event is aimed at mature learners looking to study at degree level but who do not currently have the appropriate qualifications.

To find out more about Fastrack, book your place at our information evening on Thursday 9 March: https://www.edgehill.ac.uk/event/fastrack-information-evening-2023/.

The post PhD student’s Higher Education journey started with free Fastrack course appeared first on Edge Hill University.