ASPIRATIONAL mature students are making Halesowen a hotspot for those wanting to have a second crack at education and get into university.

Halesowen College opened a new multi-million pound University Centre building to cope with the demand and are now laying on more access courses for students.

Former head of music at the college Richard March is now head of school for access to higher education and is delighted with the progress.

He said: "There are currently 300 local adults studying on our access courses and there should be even more next year.

"Last year 97 Halesowen College Access students started university degrees after completing their diplomas going on to study midwifery, adult nursing, diagnostic radiography, children’s nursing, teaching, law, civil engineering, psychology, biomedical science amongst many other subjects."

Access to HE diplomas are designed for adults with no formal qualifications to progress to university courses and the college works in conjunction with universities to ensure students are ready to study.

Last year students went on to Birmingham University, Birmingham City University, Wolverhampton University, University of Worcester, Newman University, Plymouth University, Manchester University.

Mr March added: "We provide opportunities for Access to HE students to study full time, part time and even at weekends and evenings so learners can fit studying around work and family commitments.

"We are expanding our provision to include diplomas in health, science, social Science, business and management (including law), education, with exciting brand new diplomas in art and design, and English and historical studies available from September 2014."

The college offers a full range of student support available for adult learners including financial assistance with course fees and childcare.

For more information visit www.halesowen.ac.uk or contact Richard March on rmarch@halesowen.ac.uk.