Access to HE Diploma (Humanities and Social Sciences)

Our Humanities with Social Sciences Access course prepares you for degree-level study in a variety of degree courses, such as Teaching, Social work, Criminology, Counselling and Law. It is also suitable for students wishing to study subject specific degrees such as Psychology, Sociology, Literature studies, Anthropology, History and Business studies. In the first semester the course provides you with units to develop your study, IT, data presentation and analysis skills, alongside introductory units in Critical Thinking, Social Research Methods and Contemporary Psychology. Your knowledge and understanding is then further developed in semesters two and three, providing you with a broad range of modules including Cultural Studies, Cognitive and Language Development, Historical Studies, Philosophy and Literature studies. In addition a number of optional modules are offered including Counselling, Anthropology and Creative Arts.

As with all Access courses we want to develop your confidence and ability to study independently. You will be assessed through a variety of methods, including essays, oral presentation, debates and exams. In the last semester you will also complete an extended Independent Project on a subject of your own choice.

GCSE English at grade C / 4 is required (or Functional Skills Level 2 English). GCSE Maths at grade C / 4 (or equivalent) is desirable depending on the degree you wish to progress on to, but can be studied alongside the Access diploma if necessary. All candidates are expected to attend a Taster Day before receiving a firm offer for a place on the Access course.

Students who have successfully completed this Diploma have progressed onto university courses at a range of institutions including Kingston, Chichester, LSE, UCL, Royal Holloway, Christchurch Canterbury, Kent, and Brighton. Previous learners on this course have gone on to university studies in ; Teacher education * Law * Business studies * history * economics * philosophy * theology * anthropology * applied social sciences * sociology * social work * psychology * criminology * Drama * Digital film production