Fife students sign up for science partnership

*Issued by Fife College – 1 March 2002*

Fife College has linked up with the University of St Andrews to offer science students a unique opportunity to move smoothly from an HND course to year three of a University degree.

Although the link has been in place for many years, it has only recently been formalised. Students on the HND Applied Chemistry course at Fife College attend the University of St Andrews for one subject, which allows them to study and be assessed while experiencing University life first hand. The College and University lecturers have been working together to ensure that the subjects and standards are fully compatible. Dr John Whitelock, Applied Sciences Team Leader at Fife College hopes that many current and future students will take up this unique opportunity.

“The University of St Andrews has been aware for many years of the quality of science provision at Fife College and that some of our HND science students can enter straight into third year of a degree course,” he said. “Potentially students can save two years of studying time, while reducing the cost of their studies by not having to pay a graduate endowment. This can make a big difference in some cases.”

Many students have successfully used this alternative route to University study from Fife College. What this new partnership does is provide a clear route into the University of St Andrews for science students. A prime motivator in the partnership was to increase student choice, giving them an insight into university before choosing what to do after a Higher National Diploma in science at Fife College.

Professor David Cole-Hamilton of the University of St Andrews is also keen to encourage more students to consider science as an option – “Our partnership with Fife College provides the opportunity for science students to make a more gradual transition to university, often in the same time it would take to complete a degree course. We look forward to welcoming many more HND science students to the University of St Andrews in the future.¿

One student who can vouch for the benefits of this partnership is Gayle Thomson (20) from Glenrothes. On leaving school she decided to study HND Environmental Biology at Fife College. After graduating last year, Gayle was accepted into second year at the University of St Andrews for Marine and Environmental Biology.

She is enjoying her course so far and feels that it was definitely the route for her – “The HND gave me a great grounding in all subjects which increased my confidence that I would be able to cope with the degree course. I didn’t feel ready for university straight from school, so I’m glad this option was available.”

Full details on the science courses at Fife College are available by calling the Access and Information line on 0800 413280, or by sending an email to: [email protected]

ENDS

Issued by Fife College 1 March 2002