Helen’s journey began in 2005 when she enrolled on the SWAP access programme at Stevenson College.

SWAP East had just negotiated an agreement with ECA whereby students on Access to Humanities programmes would be considered for entry to their Landscape Architecture degree course. Helen was delighted to discover that such a thing existed - an access programme that would set her on a path towards her chosen profession.

Access to Landscape Architecture is just one of the options available to SWAP Humanities students. Some biology and art portfolio work are added to the normal range of subjects in the one-year Humanities programme, making a fast route for adults who do not have the usual entry requirements, into the only Landscape Architecture degree course in the country.

Helen found the access programme both challenging and interesting.

“My art skills were nil when I embarked on this course, but Wider Access Advisor, Antonia Palmer, from Edinburgh College of Art, invited me to meet her and talk through what I needed to do for the portfolio. She also enrolled me on a 10-week portfolio building course at the College of Art and was available to give advice. My tutors at Stevenson College were also very helpful.”

Five years on, Helen has produced a stunning degree show and is about to launch her new career. She shouldn’t have long to wait – even in the current economic climate, employment prospects in Landscape Architecture continue to be good.