If you are looking to return to education or just want to see what it is like to study, Swansea University is offering a series of free sessions to give you first-hand experience.
It will be running a series of three-week taster sessions next month for people to see just what the part-time BA Humanities programme entails.
The degree has been designed to give students a chance to study a broad range of humanities subject areas on campus and in the community over six years.
For Julie James, of Llanelli, doing the BA boosted her confidence and led to whole new career path.
After juggling the demands of a full-time job and four school age children, she not only graduated with first class honours but has also now chosen to go to study for a PGCE.
She said: “My children and husband were all happy with their clubs and activities and I felt I needed something for myself so when I came across the part-time BA and thought I’d give it a go.
“The six years of commitment seemed a little daunting, so I thought if I did well and
enjoyed, I would sign up for the next year. Before I knew it, I was writing my dissertation!”
Julie added: “The part-time degree was an affordable way to achieve a higher-level qualification. The tutors were all great, really supportive and encouraging. There was such a mix of students in the class from a variety of backgrounds with different reasons for doing the course, this made classes and discussions really interesting, I always looked forward to it.”
Her experience is echoed by Ray Collier who started the part-time degree as he prepared to take early retirement.
He said: “I graduated about 40 years ago, so I felt that was too long ago to jump straight into a master’s programme, especially as my interest was in history where new research had changed the subject significantly.”
But after successfully graduating, Ray, of Tonna, Neath, is now in the second year of a part-time MA.
“The course hasn’t led me to a new job or career like some of the students but learning during my retirement has kept me active, has stretched me academically and intellectually and has been important socially – there is a danger of cutting yourself off when you retire.”
Programme director Dr Alison Walker said: “We feel we have created an innovative, dynamic and flexible part-time programme which will give students a chance to develop the skills, knowledge and experience that can open doors to a bright future.
“These taster sessions are perfect if you are an adult looking to get back into education and you want to find out if the degree course is for you.”
Drawing on the history, literature, society and politics of South Wales, the classes will introduce studying at university level through engaging lectures, seminars and discussions.
Students can pick and choose the subjects that appeal to them to get a fuller sense
of what the part-time degree programme could offer.
Read about the part-time BA and email to request an application pack, which will be available from May 2022.
Swansea University also offers other short, online, taster courses, email for more details.
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