Access to HE Diploma (Social Sciences)

Program Overview

Access to HE Diploma (Social Sciences)

Course Overview

The Social Science Access course is designed for adult returners, offering a coherent, integrated, and supported year of study in psychology and sociology. Learners will gain the knowledge, awareness, skills, and confidence necessary for successful entry into a relevant undergraduate degree.

Why Study This Course

• Quickest route to Higher Education
• No end-of-year exams
• Mapped to match with modules taught on psychology, sociology, politics, and law degree programmes
• Open learning environment
• Student Finance England will ‘write off’ any outstanding Advanced Learner Loan balances you owe for an Access to HE course once you complete an eligible higher education course (subject to SFE requirements)
• Successful completion of this course guarantees you a place on any degree course at CU Coventry

Accreditation and Professional Recognition

This course is Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) regulated.

What You'll Study

You will study a range of modules from psychology, sociology, social policy, history, and law. Your final module will be an extended project on a topic of your own choice. You will also develop your study skills, including literacy, researching, and referencing, which will provide you with a foundation for your learning in subsequent years.

Modules

• Learning Theories - 3 credits
• Introduction to Sociology - 3 credits
• Introduction to Psychology - 3 credits
• Mental Health Conditions - 3 credits
• Conformity and Obedience in Social Settings - 3 credits
• Social Stratification - 3 credits
• Socialisation - 3 credits
• Child Development in Psychology - 3 credits
• Prejudice and Discrimination - 3 credits
• Sociology of Crime and Deviance - 3 credits
• Apartheid in South Africa - 3 credits
• Psychology of Sex and Gender - 3 credits
• History of Immigration and Race Relations in Britain - 3 credits
• Extended Project - 6 credits
• Study Skills - 15 credits

How You'll Learn

The access course offers an opportunity for students to study for a Level 3 Diploma. The CU model of delivery focuses on one module at a time, allowing you to focus on the in-depth content of the subject. Lectures are delivered by subject experts using a variety of methods to reinforce the concepts of the topic from traditional lectures, group work, worksheets, case studies, and research activities.

Teaching Contact Hours

Attendance is required from Monday to Thursday from 9am - 2pm. Additionally, you will be expected to undertake self-directed study of approximately 10 hours each week, depending on the demands of individual modules.

Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods, which will vary depending upon the module. Assessment methods may include:

• Phase tests
• Essays
• Group work
• Presentations
• Reports
• Projects
• Coursework

Entry Requirements

Typical offer for 2024/25 entry:

• UK
• Level 2 qualifications in Maths and English are preferable but not mandatory for commencing the Access course. Level 2 qualifications in Maths and English can be acquired alongside the Access course as they are a pre-requisite to progress onto universities.
• GCSE maths, English, and one science at grade 4 / C or Functional Skills Level 2, or other equivalent Level 2 awards.

As part of the application process, an interview and a literacy and numeracy assessment will be required so that our tutors are satisfied that you can benefit from the course and be able to cope with the future requirements of studying in higher education.

Fees and Funding

Student | Full-time | Part-time
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UK | 2026/27 fees TBC
2025/26 fees: £3,022 | Not available

You may qualify for an Advanced Learner Loan. Visit the Advanced Learner Loan website for full information and to check your eligibility. If you are eligible and awarded an Advanced Learner Loan, and successfully complete an eligible Higher Education course, the outstanding balance from your Access course could be written off.

Facilities

All our facilities are located at Mile Lane. Our building has been designed to enable collaboration, creativity, and innovation to flourish, and includes (subject to availability):

• Indoor and outdoor social spaces, including a café
• A library that includes loan laptops, over 115,000 eBooks, and a silent study area
• Open access IT suites and 83-inch teaching screens
• Engineering lab, science lab, and a moot courtroom
• Student support and careers advice teams

Careers and Opportunities

On successful completion of this course, you will have the underpinning knowledge and academic skills to be able to apply for a range of degree courses at a variety of universities.

Further Study

Successful completion of this course will guarantee you a place on any degree programme at CU Coventry. The most suited progression is on the following degree programmes:

• Early Childhood Development and Learning BA (Hons)
• Health and Wellbeing Practice BA (Hons)
• Law and Practice BA (Hons)
• Professional Policing BA (Hons)
• Public Health and Community Studies BA (Hons)
• Tourism and Hospitality Management BA (Hons)

You could potentially obtain a place on the following degree programmes with Coventry University subject to you meeting additional entry requirements. Please see individual course web pages for more information.

• Criminal Psychology BSc (Hons)
• Law LLB (Hons)
• Politics BA (Hons)
• Psychology BSc (Hons)
• Social Work BA (Hons)
• Sociology BA (Hons)