Access to Higher Education Diploma in Humanities and Social Sciences

You will need to have a full Level 2 qualification to enrol on this course. E.g. 4 GCSEs at a grade 4/C or above, including GCSE English and Math's.

If you do not meet the criteria, please contact the course leader, as there is the opportunity to study a Progression Award to Access course for 1 year before beginning the Access to Higher Education Diploma in Humanities and Social Sciences.

The Access to Higher Education Diploma in Humanities and Social Sciencesinvolves a variety of teaching methods.

Students can expect the units included to be delivered primarily through lessons taught by specialist lecturers. This will also be supported and enhanced by significant structured independent study. This preparation will then enable students to complete assessments.

To encourage and support all students in reaching their reach their full potential, there are a variety of different assessment methods included (e.g. essay and report writing, academic posters and presentations).

Applicants must have achieved Level 2 Math's and English qualifications prior to beginning this course. These subjects are then included within the diploma to support general progress in developing relevant skills for Level 3 and subsequent Level 4 study.

If you do not already have a Level 2 in English or Math's, you can contact the college to discuss your options with the programme lead.

Students are expected to attend day sessions from 9:30am-2:30pm, while evening sessions are from 5pm-9pm.

Students are also expected to set time aside each week for independent study.

This course is delivered at Bede Campus (this could be subject to change). Day sessions begin at 9:30am and finish at 2:30pm. The evening course begins at 5pm and ends at 9pm.

Attendance is face to face teaching and students should attend college.

The aim of the Access to Higher Education Diploma in Humanities and Social Sciences pathway is to enable students to progress to Level 4 study in a varied range of subject areas, either internally at Sunderland College or at a university of their choice.

As part of this course students initially study Level 2 units in English and Study Skills to support subsequent development of relevant academic skills, before then progressing to graded Level 3 units. Successful completion of the diploma will then enable eventual progression to Level 4.

While at Sunderland College students are supported with their UCAS university application for Level 4 studies.

You will study the following modules as part of this course:

- English Language Writing Skills - Level 2 (3 credits - ungraded)
- English Language Comprehension - Level 2 (3 credits - ungraded)
- Study Skills - Level 2 (3 credits - ungraded)
- Higher Maths - Level 3 (3 credits - ungraded)
- History - Level 3 (9 credits - graded)
- Psychology - Level 3 (9 credits graded)
- Sociology - Level 3 (9 credits - graded)
- Social Policy and Welfare- Level 3 (9 credits - graded)
- English - Level 3 (9 credits - graded)

Open Awards

Whilst on the Access course students are also provided with a tutor and wellbeing coach. This allows for dedicated support with your UCAS applications including writing of personal statements, available universities and interview assistance if needed.

You will also provide dedicated one-to-one support in pastoral care. The wellbeing coach will also be able to assist with your academic writing development.