Course Detail

Adults
Access to HE Diploma (Social Sciences & Criminology)
Further course information

Access to Higher Education Diplomas are full Level 3 national qualifications accepted as a standard entry qualification by Higher Education (HE) providers in England and Wales. Each year over 40,000 learners in the UK register on Access to Higher Education Diplomas and most go on to succeed in HE and embark on life changing new careers.

The Access to Higher Education Diploma (Social Sciences & Criminology) provides the opportunity to apply for a degree across a range of subjects such as Criminology, Sociology, Psychology, and media studies and more.

The course is designed to prepare learners without formal educational backgrounds for academic work and university life. In addition to academic content, study skills and IT skills are supported and developed.

The course starts in September for the duration of one academic year and is organised to allow students to fit their study around their home, family and work commitments (9.30am – 3.00pm). You will be expected to attend all teaching sessions for approximately 10-12 hours in college over 2-3 days a week. Please note that you will need to supplement this by studying in your own time.

Sessions will be delivered in well-equipped classroom settings; you will also be required to access on-line material.

Access to Higher Education Courses are eligible for Advanced Learner Loans

-Loan eligibility doesn’t depend on your income and there are no credit checks.

- If you complete your Access to Higher Education course and subsequent degree, your Advanced Learner Loan will be written off.

More information on paying for your Access to Higher Education Diploma is available at https://www.gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan

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Entry Requirements

Ideally, applicants should have a GCSE at Grade C (4) or above in both English and Maths (or equivalent*).

However, we will consider applications from those who have a Grade D (3) or equivalent in either Maths or English - please note where this is the case the relevant GCSE/Functional Skills Level 2 must be studied alongside the Access to Higher Education Diploma (evening class).

* Equivalent - Functional Skills level 2.
On receipt of your application to study this course you will be invited to attend an admissions interview with a member of the teaching team to discuss the course and its requirements further.

Course Content

The Access to Higher Education Diploma (Social Sciences & Criminology) covers a range of topics:

Criminology and Law

1. Measurements of crime
2. Civil and criminal courts
3. Family law (children)
4. Forensic Psychology

Psychology

1. Introduction to Psychology
2. Social Psychology,
3. Memory
4. Abnormal Psychology
5. Related Studies (Research Project)

Sociology

1. Introduction to Sociology
2. Sociology of the Family
3. Crime & Deviance
4. Understanding Poverty
5. Sociology of Education

Skills for Learning and a Common Core subjects designed to develop your academic and IT skills.

Assessment

Assessment is both formal (graded) and informal:

• Practical work
• Research project
• Group Work

• Essays
• Presentations
• Case studies
• Scientific reports

Fees

Fees: £3600.00
Fees Advanced Learning Loan: £3022.00

Progression

Successful completion of this course will enable entry onto a relevant degree. Social Work, Psychology, Criminology, Law, Education, Youth work, Teaching, Journalism, Counselling, Politics/Government, and Psychology.

(You are advised to check the specific entry requirements for the degree you wish to apply for in advance of applying for this course, including whether Functional Skills are accepted as an alternative to GCSEs by the universities you are applying to).

Additional Information

This course is currently subject to validation.

Additional help and support is available to you should you require it and you can discuss this further at your admissions interview.

Duration and Times

Next course available: September 8th, 2025
Number of Weeks: 35

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