SWAP access programmes have been specifically designed for adults returning to education and hoping to move onto their first degree. To join a SWAP access course, you’ll need to meet time out of education and residency eligibility requirements. You don’t normally need any formal qualifications to apply for a SWAP programme. We know that you bring valuable skills and knowledge from your work and life experience. Eligibility Requirements (1) Time out of education Three years out of education SWAP is for adult returners to education, so we need to see that you have been out of full-time education for at least three years. Pre-Access CoursesIf you have taken a SCQF Level 5 (or below) course in the last 3 years, you may still be eligible.If you had been out of full-time education for three years before you began a SCQF Level 5 or below course, we would consider the course your first step back into education and it would not affect your eligibility for a SWAP course. For the purposes of SWAP eligibility, ESOL courses are not considered full-time education. If you have any questions about recent study and eligibility for SWAP, don't hesitate to get in touch with the SWAP office.Special CasesIf you are care-experienced, a refugee or an asylum seeker, we may consider you eligible even if you haven’t been out of education for three years. We ask that you contact SWAP to discuss your situation in more detail.If you experienced educational disadvantage at school, resulting in you gaining no qualifications above a SCQF Level 4, we may consider you on a case-by-case basis. In these exceptional cases, you, or someone with the authority to speak on your behalf, should contact SWAP to find out whether eligibility can be granted. In all cases, we encourage you to contact the SWAP East team for guidance before applying to the college for your SWAP access programme.SWAP WestThe time out of education requirement for SWAP West is 5 years if you have SCQF Level 6+ qualifications (e.g. Highers and HNC). If you have a Level 6+ qualification from 3-4 years ago and hope to apply to a SWAP West Partner university from a SWAP East access programme, please get in touch with the SWAP East office to discuss your case. Previous University Degrees Important: If you have completed a university degree in any subject, at any time, and in any country, you are not eligible for the SWAP Programme. (2) Your residency status in Scotland Residency Status You need to have a UK residency status that allows you to study and access public funds. You must be resident in Scotland at the time of your SWAP programme starting, including online programmes. If you are currently living in the rest of the UK and not Scotland, you should get in touch with our SWAP teams to talk through your situation before applying to college.Your college must class you as a 'home fee status' student.International students are not eligible. Get in touch If you have any questions about your eligibility for the SWAP programme, send our office an email and we can talk you through it. Contact SWAP East This article was published on 2025-06-06
