Humanities and Social Science - Access to Higher Education Diploma

If you would like to study Humanities and Social Sciences subjects (African and Caribbean Studies, Anthropology, Art History, English Literature, 20th Century World History, Politics, Psychology and Sociology) at university but left school without the qualifications you need, then this Access to HE course could be for you.

The Humanities and Social Science Diploma is the most suitable programme to go on to study a degree in subjects such as History, Politics, International Relations, Sociology and Psychology or a related course, at university.

You will learn study skills such as note-taking, essay writing, reading and research, preparation for exams and oral presentation.

You will be supported throughout the course by a personal tutor who will also give you guidance in applying for Higher Education courses.

Students will need to study 3 of the topics listed below:

Anthropology

• Anthropological Perspectives,
• Introduction to Anthropology,
• Medical Anthropology,
• Fieldwork and Research Methods in Anthropology,
• Anthropology of Ritual and Rites of Passage.

African and Caribbean Studies

• Debunking Eurocentric Narratives of Africa
• Neo Colonialism and Resistance
• Introduction to Africa and African Studies
• Windrush and the Notting Hill Riots

Art History

• Introduction to European Art History  
• Modernism: Influences and Practices
• Art in Contemporary Britain

20th Century World History

• Imperialism and Decolonisation
• Israel and Palestine
• History of Immigration and Race Relations in Britain

Politics

• Civil Liberties in Britain
• Introduction to Political Concepts
• Political Parties and Pressure Groups

Psychology

• Approaches to Psychology
• Social Research Methods for Psychosocial Studies
• Aspects of Social Psychology
• Atypical Development and Abnormal Behaviour
• Cognitive Psychology
• Mental Health and Illness

Sociology

• Introduction to Sociology
• Culture and Identity
• Poverty and Social Exclusion
• Social Inequality

You will need:

• To be aged 19 or older
• GCSE English and Maths at grade 4 or above (or A*-C); however, you will be considered for the course if you have one GCSE at grade A*-C in Maths or English with the offer of GCSE classes in addition to the course

All applicants must have an interview to confirm that the course is suitable for them.

This course is assessed through coursework assignments, tests and examinations throughout the course, which are set and marked by your teachers and externally moderated by OCN London.

Assessment is continuous over the whole year and is based on several set pieces of work such as essays, projects, presentations and tests.

Adults - Access to Higher Education

If you will be aged 19 to 23 prior to the start date of your course, and do not already have a full Level 3 qualification, you may be eligible for a Level 3 entitlement, in which case your study with us will be free. Otherwise, you will have to pay the fees yourself or apply for an Advanced Learner Loan.

Please see here for the documents you will need to show us.

Some courses will have other associated costs, such as for specialist materials and trips. Many of our students are eligible for financial support, see here for details.

If you are aged 19-24 and this is your first Level 3 course, you may be eligible for free tuition.

If you are 24 years or older you will need to apply for an Advanced Learner Loan. Student Finance England will ‘write off’ any outstanding Advanced Learner Loan balances you owe for an Access to HE course once you complete a higher education course. This means you do not have to repay it if you complete your University degree course.

Once you have completed your Access to HE course, you can progress to a Higher Education degree at a university or college. 

You should check requirements for specific degree courses - different Higher Education institutions may have different entry requirements for similar courses.

Mary has taught in further education for around 25 years, teaching mainly within colleges. This period of teaching has provided her with a wealth of experience.  From BTEC, Access Business, Law, Humanities, Nursing and Engineering, Pre-Access Humanities and Business, Functional Skills to Communications, Higher Education and online sustainability/environmental courses and numerous bolt-on courses that also included personal tutoring and UCAS reference production.

During this period, Mary has embarked on personal study and achieved several postgraduate qualifications and because she continues with her own CPD, she has been able to keep up to date about current issues facing education.  She has been part of and privy to countless moderation processes and has become familiar with awarding body methods. Mary is innovative and creative and these character traits have allowed her to produce interesting and rewarding assignment brief content.  Since her initial educational background stems from an access programme, Mary is aware of the pressures that a condensed 'A' level course can have on our students. Mary's heritage, life experiences and research abilities, give her the ability to offer the teaching and support that the students require.  

The teachers listed may change, these shown are an example of the teachers who teach on these programmes.