Course Structure On Access To Higher Education Diploma Programme: Implications On Mental Health And Decisions Of Mature Students

This paper investigates the impact of the course structure and the various decision made by colleges in running Access to higher education diploma programme on the mental health and decisions 

of the mature students on this programme. It reports part of the findings from the research carried out to investigate the courses of ‘drop out’ and the practices that can promote successful completion on the Access to HE Diploma programme. The research, which took a qualitative approach was carried out within six further education colleges in the East of England, with thematic analysis used in analysing the data. It emerged the structure and delivery of the programme do not only impact on the mature students’ decisions, but also on their mental health, which as well, have a great effect on their decisions.