Access to Humanities / Social Sciences / Languages

I was 37 years old when I returned to education, in January 2018, as part of Newbattle Abbey College’s Preparation for Further Education course. My youngest was starting school that summer and, rather than return to work, my husband encouraged me to get a degree. 

I learnt so much about myself from completing a SWAP course; from making new friends, studying new topics and creating different routines. Two highlights of my time at Newbattle were being involved in a promotional video and speaking as student representative at an educational conference. 

In 2019 I was offered a place at the University of Edinburgh to study an MA Scottish Ethnology, this is a branch of anthropology with historical elements. The degree is very interesting and studying at Edinburgh has enabled me to read on gender and queer studies, linguistics, design theory and ethnography research.  

Being a parent and a mature full-time student can be tiring and challenging. There is not time in my week to have the ‘traditional’ student experience of campus life. However, I have utilized my life experience in seminars and tutorials and continue to develop great resilience for maintaining busy elements of parenting, studying, and planning my future. 

My eldest thinks I ‘like’ homework. I don’t! But through returning to study I have discovered that I can plan my learning and apply myself to difficult tasks. Whatever positive developments you put into your life will return to you tenfold and open so many new avenues for career and learning. 

Good things take time, but time is going to pass anyway so put that time into creating your ideal future. I encourage you to reach out to SWAP. Step by step your aspirations are completely achievable, and I wish you the very best!

Before returning to education, I was a full-time single mum who was struggling financially; an emigrant with poor English language skills. Previously, two years in a row I was rejected from the SWAP course. So, I finished one year of English classes and applied again, the third time I was lucky – I got accepted. I remember my first time sitting in the classroom at the SWAP course and thinking – I do not understand a word of what my Scottish classmates are talking about. Then later, coming back home and reading all the work I needed to submit to pass the course, was terrifying. Nevertheless, this was my way to university and onto a better life.

The SWAP course was the scariest time for me because of the language barrier and the most useful for enabling me to speak in English and consequently go to university. Once I got over the few first months, I started to understand everyone, and I was able to engage in conversations. I realised that it was not about how smart anyone is or how good your English is but how hard you work towards your assessments and your goals. My goal was to attend every lesson and, like a sponge, get as much knowledge as I could. I finished with the best marks and with an A grade in National 5 Maths (which I never thought would happen), and much-improved English. I got five offers from different universities.

After the SWAP course, I accepted the University of Edinburgh psychology degree offer. I remember thinking about my dream of becoming a psychotherapist and that I did not have the perfect English language to do so. The English language was the most important tool for my chosen profession. Every year my confidence grew, and I continued to put a lot of effort into my studies and learning the English language while taking care of my son. I spent weekends translating long academic articles in the first year. University was hard work because of the intense studies but I had a dream to become a psychotherapist, so I needed it. 

After four years, I finished university and received many offers to study a master's course. I chose to study at the University of Edinburgh MSc Psychological therapies full-time 2-year course to become a psychotherapist (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy practitioner) which I have recently completed. The future looks bright. I have mastered English at a very high level and I am now a fully qualified psychotherapist. All thanks to the SWAP course, which enabled me to take a step farther and access higher education and reach for my dreams.

The SWAP programme is great for accessing university. It prepares you for what you will be needing to progress to university. Get familiar with different SWAP programmes and choose the one which is the best for you and what you would like to study in the future. This programme offers you a lot of support and preparation and helps you to apply to universities. If your English language skills need an improvement before the university, this is a good starting point for transitioning to the university. Good luck!

Aija Sarkane