BLOG | Bournemouth and Poole College Visit to AECC University College

PROGRESSION MENTOR BLOG | January 2023

By Beth Hartless SUN Progression Mentor

On 1 December 2022, Bournemouth and Poole College’s SUN Progression Mentor organised for the Level 3 Health and Social Care Students to visit AECC University College to take part in their Health Sciences Taster Day. AECC University College is a specialist health sciences university based in Dorset. AECC warmly welcomed and accommodated 60 students – almost 60% of the students attending were Uni Connect and Outreach Hub students.

The students were greeted by specialist student ambassadors and shown around the unique and beautiful AECC campus. BPC students got to see the contrast of AECC’s top-notch facilities against their historical setting – the main building has an interesting history of being a convent school in the early twentieth century.

Whilst admiring the sites and learning about all the fantastic courses and facilities, the students heard from current AECC students. They were able to give their unique perspective on what life at university was actually like.

Students next learned about careers in the Radiography and Chiropractic fields. They were able to partake in interactive workshops and sample the practical learning that they may do in higher education. Hearing from the lecturers who have worked within the sector was also inspiring for the students.

Bournemouth and Poole College’s Health and Social Care students primarily progress into careers in the NHS, specifically nursing, so this was a terrific chance for them to see different opportunities available to them that they may not have previously thought about.

They also partook in seminars on Public Health, the Science of Communication, and Medical Models. Seminars are often a new learning concept for students starting university, so this was the perfect chance for students to gain insight into university learning.

The event was so well received that the college’s Applied Science department is attending a similar event towards the end of January, which the AECC has arranged especially for the college.