Access to Higher Education Diploma (Social Science with Law)

Course Summary

Want to develop a career in Social Science or Law?

The Access to HE Diploma offers an in-depth understanding of contemporary legal and social science issues in the UK. Ideally suited to learners returning to education and wishing to pursue courses at University, this one year, part time programme will also develop your academic and study skills so you can excel at University.

The course is an ideal way of developing the skills necessary to progress to university whilst studying subjects that are relevant to your chosen degree programme.

The course covers the following subjects:

- Developing critical thinking
- Dynamics of Government
- Access to Justice
- Human rights, the individual and law
- Criminal Law and procedures
- Civil and criminal courts
- Contemporary issues in Social Policy
- Understanding crime and deviance
- Criminal criminology
- Crime and media
- Social factors in Health and Social Care
- Introduction to sociology
- Globalisation
- Social identity
- Understanding poverty
- Introduction to psychology
- Social relationships
- Social psychology
- Personality
- Political parties

Entry Requirements

You should have a Grade C/4 or above in GCSE English Language & Maths or a Level 2 in Functional Skills.

You will also be asked to complete a pre-induction statement on intent to make sure this is the right level for you.

In addition, students will need to check the entry requirements for their chosen degree programme. You need to be aware that GCSE Maths at grade C (new grade 4), is essential for progression to Higher Education for many university courses. Some universities will accept alternatives to GCSE, such as Functional Skills Level 2, but it is essential that you find this out yourself before starting the Access to HE Diploma.

How Is It Assessed

You will be assessed through a varied range of assessment methods. These will include; written assignments, open book tests, presentations, group activities and written reports, blogs, vlogs. The assessments take place throughout the course so you will not have to face any final exams at the end to pass the course, and you can monitor your progress at any stage. To achieve the Access to HE Diploma you will need to gain 60 credits in total, a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3 which will be graded and 15 credits which will be ungraded.

How Is It Taught

The course is taught through a range of teaching methods including lectures, discussions, research, group discussions and workshops and online learning. In addition to taught sessions students will develop independent research and study skills through seminar based sessions. Typically, you should expect to be in College for approximately 9 hours per week, normally over one day or two evenings. In addition, you will need to undertake approximately fifteen hours of independent study per week to include additional research and assessment work.

What Could I do Next

Successful completion of this course will provide you with a nationally recognised qualification that is an alternative to the traditional qualifications required to progress to university. Typically, successful students’ progress to a range of Legal and Social Science related degree programmes.