Education and Careers: Unlocking opportunities

Newbattle Abbey College in Midlothian has been changing lives by providing routes into further and higher education for nearly 90 years.The original medieval abbey – which became the home of the Earls of Lothian – and its 125-acre estate were gifted to Scotland in 1937 to become an adult residential college and place of learning.

Newbattle Abbey College. Picture: Phil Wilkinson

The estate is now the college campus, steeped in culture and history, which enriches the student experience.

Staying true to its founding ethos, the college’s purpose is to provide access to education for all. There is a focus on adults and young people either at points of transition in their lives, or who have been out of formal education for some time.

The curriculum and staff are focused on helping people re-engage with education and to take next steps into college, university, or employment.

The small class sizes and close community creates a supportive and welcoming environment.

The college has a national reach, with student residences across from the main building, ensuring that opportunities are accessible to adults and young people right across Scotland.

Courses reflect the college’s commitment to unlocking opportunity. The Access to Higher Education (HE) course in arts and humanities enables adults with few or no qualifications to access university.

The college also offers a National Certificate in Social Sciences at Level 6, which is similar to the Access to HE programme but allows entry for school leavers or those with some formal qualifications.

The one-year associate degree, created in partnership with Queen Margaret University (QMU), provides access to Year Two of a range of QMU degrees for those who do not meet the initial Year One entry requirements. This is a great way to shorten the journey to university and is an example of the college and university working together to widen access.

For adults thinking of returning to education, perhaps with no qualifications, or young people leaving school, Newbattle Abbey College offers a very special place to take the next steps.

See www.nac.ac.uk