A FREE online course which aims to prepare learners for university study has proved a major success with students from North Wales, the UK - and across the globe.

The Confident Learner course, run by Wrexham Glyndwr University, is set to welcome a new group of students from mid-July.

It is taught online and has already seen learners taking part from across North Wales, around the UK – and from even further afield.

The course, which took on its first learners in April, is usually delivered face-to-face for potential students during the summer months at Glyndwr – but was radically overhauled for online delivery this Spring in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Glyndwr academics have been teaching the course entirely online since April – with a great response from their learners.

Dr Sue Horder, associate dean for academic affairs in Glyndwr’s Faculty of Social and Life Sciences, said: “The Confident Learner course was designed to ensure students from across North Wales – and beyond – could face up to an unprecedented situation with expert support.

“With the disruption of studies and the cancellation of exams, we were particularly keen to ensure that students in sixth form or further education who were hoping to go to university this autumn got additional support.

“We worked to ensure this course had enough capacity for all of those students, right across North Wales, wherever they are planning to study in the future.

“Focusing on the academic skills needed to prepare for study in higher education, over eight weeks course participants get the guidance they need on essay-writing, study planning, well-being as a student and much, much more.”

Upon completion of the course, students also receive a certificate for 20 Higher Education credits at Level Four.

The course has been offered to all potential six form and further education students in North Wales, with Wrexham Glyndwr University Vice-Chancellor Professor Maria Hinfelaar writing to education chiefs in the spring to offer eligible students a place.