Many adults are considering re-engaging with their education but due to a history of negative experiences in the classroom are reluctant to take the first steps.  Football more than a game introduces various curriculum areas that at first may seem irrelevant to the learners, but told through the lens of football, it brings relevancy and interest to them – and can then lead to a further pathway of learning should they wish. As a pre-access course, Football More than a Game facilitates the first step back into education via a safe and familiar environment through inclusive pedagogical practice.

Football: More Than A Game is a fully-funded seven-week face to face taught programme at SCQF level 7, with associated credit. It is taught in local football stadia, in the heart of working class communities.  It works with the community foundations of professional football teams with Hibernian FC being the first club to become a partner. The course content delivers a taste of interdisciplinary learning in a number of different subject areas such as, data literacy, history, physical & mental wellbeing and political economy for example.  In order to pass the course and receive the relevant credits, students submit a final written piece of work. The course will be expanding to other clubs over the coming year.

The Academy of Sport, Widening Participation and the Centre for Open Learning collaborate to deliver the course in partnership with the Hibernian FC Community Foundation.  There is also an online version of course, part of the University’s Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) offerings – which delivers the same content through a similar rationale globally.  The online version is delivered in partnership between the Academy of Sport and Widening Participation.

Beginning university can be a daunting prospect for all of our students. For those from widening participation backgrounds, this transition can feel even more daunting for a number of reasons including commuting, caring and financial responsibilities, as well as experiencing imposter syndrome as an under-represented group. Moving On has been designed to alleviate some of these concerns and support participants to have a bespoke and supportive introduction to university to help them feel confident and a sense of belonging ahead of embarking upon their degree studies.

Moving On provides a free week-long introduction to undergraduate life and includes an orientation to the University’s campuses and buildings; an opportunity to attend lectures and tutorials; guidance on using the University’s virtual learning environment and library, and an introduction to the range of support services available at the University. Participants meet other new students and make new friends ahead of beginning their course.

All eligible students from the local area who hold an offer from The University of Edinburgh and fulfil our widening participation criteria are invited to attend. Moving On is part of the University of Edinburgh’s Widening Participation strategy and is organised by the University’s Centre for Open Learning, with help and contributions from many other services including the Edinburgh University Student Union (EUSA), Institute for Academic Development, University Careers Service and Student Counselling Service.

The University of Edinburgh’s Access Programme is an entry route for WP groups including mature students, students from Scotland’s most deprived communities and those who have care experience. The programme aims to foster diversity and inclusion through creating specific opportunity for adult returners from diverse backgrounds and under-represented groups to study with us, and supporting them through the transition to degree study.

The University of Edinburgh’s Access Programme is a part-time programme that aims to provide adult returners with the skills, confidence and qualifications to study for a degree in the University’s College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. The Access Programme offers an integrated and inclusive programme of skills-based courses at SCQF level 7 and, through a holistic approach, fosters transformative learning.

Students study 60 credits over two semesters, with an emphasis placed upon early formative work and learning from feedback, ahead of a range of summative assessments in semester 2. Successful completion of the Access Programme can result in progression to a degree programme within the University.

The University of Edinburgh’s Access Programme, offered by the Centre for Open Learning, is for adult returners who do not already have an undergraduate degree, who want to study a degree but maybe haven’t completed Highers (or equivalent) qualifications and have had a continuous gap of at least 3 years at some point in their formal education. The first Access cohort of 50 students began their studies in August 2018 with almost half coming from SIMD20 areas and all those students completed the course and received conditional offers for undergraduate study.