Access Courses

Student using lab equipment with centrifuge in science lab during practical session

Access courses at Glasgow Kelvin College are designed for adults who want to return to education, change direction, or take the first step toward further study or employment. These courses offer a welcoming and supportive environment, with a focus on building essential skills, gaining qualifications, and growing confidence. Whether you’ve been out of education for a while or are exploring new possibilities, access courses can help you find your path forward.

The Scottish Wider Access Programme (SWAP) is a partnership between colleges and universities in Scotland.

SWAP offers one-year full-time courses at different colleges that prepare you for Higher Education.

Successfully finishing a SWAP course means you may progress within Glasgow Kelvin or get a place on a Higher National or degree course at a college or university of your choice.

See below for a list of the Access courses we offer.

I love my college, all the staff are welcoming and super helpful. The lecturers are very professional and they try to help everyone as much as they can. The college provides funding to those who need childcare support or have financial difficulties.

I think Access Medicine is the most challenging course out of all the other Access courses and it’s heavily based on Biology, Chemistry and Maths. We also get to learn about common diseases and treatments options which is so fascinating. I would say it is a very thorough, solid course that prepares everyone for commencing a medicine degree.

Hossein Hosseini Access to Medicine SWAP Read more about Hossein

My favourite part of the course has been being able to push myself outside of my comfort zone in order to learn the necessary skills to move on to university. I felt I was maybe too old to start over again in a new career but since meeting lots of like-minded people it’s gave me the confidence to go for it and I’ve learned so much along the way.

The course has been instrumental in helping me gain a place at my chosen university to be able to go on to study a Paramedic Science degree and ultimately have a future career as a Paramedic in the Scottish Ambulance Service.

Claire Shankly Access to Paramedic Science SWAP Read more about Claire

The whole course in general was excellent. Learning new skills and being around a large group of adults all aiming to achieve the same goal was pretty cool.

The staff were great from start to finish, always there if you needed extra support.

The course has given me great confidence in the important things that are needed to become a paramedic. Learning skills like essay writing and research has been invaluable.