Access to Higher Education
Access to HE Diploma (Humanities and Social Sciences) - Level 3 - Part-time
This programme aims to develop the skills and self-confidence in learners necessary to progress to their chosen course in higher education or profession.
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Course Description
The aim of the course is to give mature learners (19 years and over) a second chance at education by developing personal confidence and achievement, the ability to study, and guidance to help decide their future.
The course will provide a thorough grounding in the key concepts and theories you will meet during your further studies or training. You will gain an insight into a variety of subject areas and support is offered to you if you are wanting to apply for university. Teamwork and oral skills are promoted through group discussion during seminars, which helps prepare you for employment by encouraging interaction with colleagues.
The lessons are held in the evening with some Saturday sessions, allowing you to fit your studies around your current work and life commitments. Making this the perfect course for those exploring a career change, those wanting to take the next step in their career, or those that just want to stimulate their brains and learn something new.
What will I study on this course?
- HE Study Skills
- History: Introduction to Historical Interpretation & Source Material
- History: Culture & Society in Nineteenth Century Britain
- History: The British Empire: 1850s Onwards
- English: Key Concepts
- English: The Short Story
- English: Drama & Poetry
- Sociology: Sociological Perspectives of the Family
- Sociology: Sociological Perspectives on Gender
- Sociology: Sociological Perspectives on Secularisation & Crime
- Research Dissertation
We also offer this as a daytime course here.
We also offer this as an online course here.
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Entry Requirements
You will need:
- A GCSE at grade 4 (C) or higher in English language
If you do not have this above, you should consider completing our part-time Pre-Access courses in Humanities first.
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Course Length
How long is this course?
1 year
When does this course start?
02/09/2026
How many hours / days per week is this course?
This course runs with face-to-face delivery every Thursday from 5pm-9pm. There are also numerous online Saturday sessions throughout the year
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Course Fees
Age Cost 19+ £3,000 Fee information
Adult (19+) learners
Depending on your age, course, educational history and personal circumstances, there may be options available for you to receive a course fully-funded by the government. Our fee calculator will help give you an idea on whether you'll be able to have your course fee waived or covered by an Advanced Learner Loan.
Learners with an active Education, Health & Care Plan
If you are aged 19 - 24 at the start of your course and have an active Education, Health & Care Plan (EHCP), any course up to and including level 3 will be fully-funded by the government. This means you will not have a course fee to pay and any equipment considered essential to complete your course will be provided by the college.
Please note the information on this page was correct at the time of publication but is subject to change due to factors beyond our control. -
Additional Information
What qualification will I achieve?
The Access to Higher Education course (depending upon the final qualification) is equivalent to A-Levels. It is recognised by higher education institutions, advanced apprenticeships, business, retail and appropriate professions. Our Access to Higher Education courses are validated by the Cambridge Access Validating Agency and the qualification is universally recognised as demanding and rigorously assessed.
How is my course assessed?
The course will be split into modules which are individually assessed. Later modules build on the skills developed in the earlier ones. Assessment varies depending upon your subject choices. The course director will give you further information about assessment on the pathway you choose. There is a great deal of time and support given by the programme lecturers to build confidence and success rates for all students.
How many UCAS points will I achieve on this course?
The number of UCAS tariff points for an Access to Higher Education diploma varies between 48 and 144 points, depending on your grade for each module.
Access to Higher Education qualifications are split into a total of 45 graded credits and each module will have a different credit weighting (for example, one module may be worth 3 units and another may be worth 6). For each graded module, you'll achieve a pass, merit or distinction and these each carry a different amount of UCAS points (with pass being the lowest and distinction being the highest).
For example, if you pass each graded module, you will achieve 48 UCAS points. If you gain a distinction in each graded module, you will achieve 144 UCAS points (equivalent to three A grades at A Level).
We've included some examples below of what grades you need to achieve common UCAS tariff point entry requirements:
UCAS Points Grades required 64 15 credits at merit, 30 credits at pass 74 24 credits at merit, 21 credits at pass 80 30 credits at merit, 15 credits at pass 96 45 credits at merit 120 24 credits at distinction, 21 credits at merit 144 45 credits at distinction You can find more details on the UCAS Tariff points calculator here.