Access to Physical Science / Engineering

At 17, I left Bell Baxter High School after completing my 6th year with Highers in Music and English. Admittedly, my grades didn’t reflect my full potential, as my focus was elsewhere. Eager to explore new paths, I enrolled in an HNC in Sports Development at Fife College, but my priorities at the time leaned more toward socializing than studying. As a result, I left without completing the HND. I pivoted to a career in barbering, earning a Level 3 qualification and working in St Andrews for five fulfilling years.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, I was 23 and ready for a change. I felt a renewed sense of maturity and ambition, prompting me to re-enter education with a clearer vision for my future. That’s when I discovered the SWAP (Scottish Wider Access Programme) courses designed for mature students. Intrigued by the prospect of a career in offshore oil, I applied for the Physical Sciences SWAP course. To my amazement, just one year later, I was accepted into the University of Edinburgh - one of the world’s top universities - to pursue a BEng in Mechanical Engineering. 

The SWAP programme at Dundee and Angus College was a game-changer. The tutors were exceptional, treating us as the motivated adults we were rather than teenagers. Their supportive and engaging approach made all the difference. I’m immensely grateful to them for providing this opportunity and for their dedication to helping mature students succeed. Their guidance truly changed my life.

To anyone considering a return to education, I wholeheartedly recommend SWAP. It’s the most accessible and effective way for mature learners to fast-track their path to university or further education. Thanks to SWAP, my life has taken an exciting new direction, and I couldn’t be more thrilled about the journey ahead!

Thank you so much SWAP Team! 

After leaving high school with a fairly average set of Highers, I had resigned myself to a life of working away at low-skill and low-satisfaction jobs. After spending three years in a call centre, I decided to take back control of my life; for me, this meant getting back into education. After completing a Level 5 NC in an Access to Engineering course (and enjoying it!), I enrolled onto the SWAP Access to Engineering programme via Edinburgh College. I chose engineering as I enjoy learning how and why things work, and I chose the SWAP programme as it serves as excellent preparation for university – I wanted to see how far I could go!

The SWAP Access to Engineering programme was, admittedly, challenging. It is a significant step up from high school work, and there is an expectation for you to regularly undertake self-directed study, attend classes, and ask questions. In hindsight, the SWAP course was very useful in this regard as these are critical skills which aren’t just encouraged at university but are required to succeed. The classes themselves are broad and varied, ranging from thermodynamics to differential calculus, and really let you hit the ground running in the first year of university.

After passing the SWAP Access to Engineering programme, I am happy to say that I was offered a place at each university I had applied to; several months later, I was enrolled as a BEng student at Heriot-Watt University! After several years, I transferred to an MEng programme, where I eventually graduated with a 2.1. All in all, I had gone from a school leaver with mediocre grades to a graduate with a Masters in Mechanical Engineering, all thanks to undertaking the SWAP Access to Engineering programme.

Amongst the many things I learned at University, I realised that I had a strong interest in combining biology and engineering; to support this, following graduation, I spent several months working for SRUC in their biological laboratory. During my time there, I applied for a PhD with Edinburgh University to study Bioengineering, which, after several interviews, I am very happy to say I was accepted onto with a full University scholarship. To say I’m chuffed is an understatement! Following my PhD, I am considering going down the academic route and working as a University lecturer – ‘giving back’ after all the years of education I’ve gone through.

To anyone considering a SWAP programme in any field, I would say, go for it and get stuck in. Life is full of choices, and it’s up to you to get out there and grab them. Even if you’re unsure as to what area you’d like to go into (there’s a lot of them!), you might just find your niche and end up doing something you love.