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FE Sector / NICATS Access Curriculum Development Project

1. Background
2. Overall Project Aims
3. Project Phases:
   • Phase 1: Mathematics (including Maths pilot)
     • Phase 1 Maths Final Report
   • Phase 2: Communication

1. Background

Access to HE programmes are aimed at mature students with few, if any, formal qualifications who are thinking of progressing to higher education. There are more than 40 such programmes offered in colleges and validated by QUB and UU. Often referred to as 'Foundation courses', the Access to HE programmes generally include a foundation core of communication, IT and numeracy together with a range of optional modules.

The principles and guidelines recommended by NICATS are being used to develop new modules in communication, IT and mathematics for use in the Access to HE courses which are offered throughout Northern Ireland.

The first phase of the project (Feb - June 2001) will focus on the writing of mathematics modules. [Top]

2. Overall Project Aims

The FE Sector / NICATS Access Curriculum Development Project aims to:

• Develop common core modules in the areas of communication, IT and numeracy for use in all Access to HE programmes in Northern Ireland.
• Incorporate the relevant GCSE and Key Skills equivalences in these modules.
• Apply the common core modules to the 3 areas of humanities, science and social science (these are areas that reflect the content of the Access to HE courses and the progression routes followed by Access students).
• Develop optional modules in applied areas linked to employer and skills shortage needs; this activity to be underpinned by a market research exercise. [Top]

3. Project Phases:

• Phase 1: Mathematics (including Maths pilot)
• Phase 2: Communication

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