Initial Year for Extended Degree in Science - Geography & Environmental Sciences (Oaklands College)

What's the course about?

• On completion of this extended degree, there will be at least three undergraduate courses you’ll have the option to progress onto, allowing you multiple opportunities to gain entry to a Batchelor degree at Herts. 
• Students studying this course are registered full-time but typically attend college three days a week, providing a flexible learning schedule. 
• This course is moderated and informed by subject specialists and admissions tutors within the university who are in turn guided by the professional accreditation bodies associated with each of university degree programmes. This enhances the quality of the education you will receive to prepare you for when you apply for an undergraduate degree. 
• You will have access to a virtual learning environment where you can collaborate with other students, college staff, and Herts staff. This platform may also be used to deliver lectures and talks from industry speakers. 
• This course is not a foundation degree and does not lead to a qualification, instead, it is a unique opportunity that allows you to progress onto a bachelor’s degree at Herts, starting at level 4. 

Please note that on completion of this course there is no guaranteed progression onto a desired pathway, although it is highly likely. Should your performance prove adequate, you will have the option of choosing an alternate course within the wide range of progression pathways available. 

Who is this course for? 

This course could be for you if: 

• You need specific subject choices to get onto a desired degree, whether this is due to a change in career direction or whether it’s because you didn’t have the choice of taking a particular subject at school.
• You want to study for a specific degree but did not meet the requirements the first time around. This is an alternative opportunity to get onto the desired course with lower entry requirements in compromise for completing an additional year. 
• You need additional support before embarking on a full undergraduate degree. This course is typically less challenging than an undergraduate course, making it an ideal stepping stone for you if you have been out of education for numerous years and would like to gradually get back into learning. 
• You are seeking a gradual transition to university from a schooling environment, where additional support would be desirable to ease you into self-directed learning and independent study required at undergraduate level. Similarly, this route could be for you if you are overwhelmed by the thought of attending university, living away from home, and engaging in large class cohorts.

Study Location 

You will study your first year at Oaklands College and then you have two options. You can either progress onto a full-time University of Hertfordshire degree for another 3 years (totaling 4 years), or you can progress onto studying a sandwich year (totaling 5 years). 

Upon successful completion of the initial year, you will continue onto a degree at the University of Hertfordshire. 

Each of the colleges we work with provides different types of support to help you get the most out of your extended degree. You can access financial support, information support, and support services that help with student learning and welfare. 

Learning support services, include: 

• Computer suites 
• Learning Resources Centre incorporating hard copy and online resources 
• Support in mathematics and English 
• Higher Education learners study hub 
• Study skills support, including a range of printed and online materials 
• Learning support for students with learning or physical disability 

Welfare and counseling include:  

• Safeguarding 
• Mental health and wellbeing 
• Childcare support 
• Careers advice 
• Food facilities 
• Sports clubs 

What will I study? 

This course focuses on teaching you the fundamentals of applied science taught within an industrial context. It is essential that you have good knowledge and understanding of science, as this is a requirement for all the progression pathways available upon completion of this extended degree. 

During your initial year, you will be taught over two semesters (A and B) where you will have core modules, advised modules, and optional modules dependent on the undergraduate course you are interested in pursuing. Please refer to the Programme Specification for full details, supporting your progression pathway of choice. 

Application process 

Students will need to apply through a standard UCAS application where you will be required to submit a supporting personal statement.  

The personal statement should: 

• Sum up why you want to study your chosen subject.
• Show your suitability for the course by demonstrating your interest in your chosen subject.
• Show you have relevant academic skills/ knowledge to do well on this course.
• Show you have the personal qualities required to cope with the demands of studying at university. 

Progression is dependent on meeting grade tariffs but will also consider life experience. Interviews are only required for students seeking to progress onto a healthcare pathway.