Start Date: Level: Study mode: Course Location: Course Type:
September Level 3 Part-Time Evening Bede Campus Access to Higher Education Apply Enquire
September Level 3 Part-Time - Day Bede Campus Access to Higher Education Apply Enquire

What’s it all about?

This course is for those aged 19+ who wish to progress their studies in a wide range of humanities and social science subjects, as well as those who might have aspirations and ambitions in related areas of education and career development.

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.

Study level Cost Additional fees
19+ please enquire There are no additional costs to the course. You may find the demands of the course easier if you have access to either a laptop, PC or a tablet to complete assessments, as these are to be Word processed.

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.

What’s next?

After successful completion of the Access to Higher Education Diploma in Humanities and Social Sciences, students will have the opportunity to progress to Level 4 studies in a very varied and wide range of related areas. This will include humanities and social sciences subjects, for example history, English, psychology and sociology.

This pathway will facilitate progression to Level 4 study in areas that will then support development of careers in related areas including counselling, social work and care, education and teaching, and journalism.

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93.1% of our students have progressed to further study, university of employment.

(*Based on 16-18 year olds destination data, 2019/20 academic year)

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Summer 2021

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Destination data for Sunderland College 2019/20, Apprentice completers. 

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