About the Online Access Course in English – SCQF Level 6
This review concerns the Online Access Course in English – SCQF Level 6 offered by the University of Aberdeen. This course is the only option available in Scotland to meet the English language requirement for postgraduate study—such as the PGDE—when one does not have the required Higher or A-level qualifications. A minimum of a Grade C is required for acceptance into programmes like the PGDE.
While it is helpful that such a pathway exists, the monopoly held by Aberdeen in offering this qualification appears to have led to serious quality issues.
At £500, the course is relatively expensive and not reimbursable by SAAS. That could be acceptable if the course met professional standards—but unfortunately, it does not.
The online learning platform is confusing and difficult to navigate, especially in comparison to the far more intuitive system used by the Open University. The materials—presentations, videos, and documents—appear to have been thrown together without structure or coherence, and do not reflect the standards expected of a top Scottish university.
The email support service is unhelpful and, at times, actively rude, which makes the experience unnecessarily stressful.
The timed exam at the end is another major issue. No clear guidance is provided about how long each section is expected to take, and I was only able to complete half of it within the time limit. I was eventually allowed a second attempt with more time due to my ADHD diagnosis, but only after paying a fee—a policy I found punitive and lacking in sensitivity to disability accommodations.
Even worse, if you fail the second attempt, you are not allowed a third try, nor are you entitled to a refund.
The essay component (which is untimed) was more reasonable. I submitted a well-researched, high-standard piece of work, yet received only a B+, accompanied by vague and unsubstantiated feedback that did not justify the mark given.
In conclusion, while this course technically fulfils a requirement, the quality, support, and value for money fall well short of what one would expect from the University of Aberdeen. I would strongly encourage the university to review and improve both the academic integrity and student support of this programme.