NEW Access to Higher Education Diploma – Social Science and Law

Want to develop a career in Social Science or Law?

We have a brand new Access to HE course starting in September that 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

To find out more contact Admissions on 01782 603634 or email admissions@stokecoll.ac.uk

What are the entry requirements?

Ideally you should have a Grade C/4 or above in GCSE English Language. You will have a pre-induction interview/assessment 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.  Some courses require students to have GCSEs in Maths and/or English or relevant work experience.

It is very important that you check these entry requirements before you start the course. However we will consider each application on an individual basis.

How is it taught?

The Access 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.

How will I be 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 qualification 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.

What could I do next?

Successful completion of the Access 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.

Not quite ready for the Access course? Try our Level 2 Certificate in Skills for Further Study in Health. Click here for more information on this course.

The course will develop your skills in literacy and numeracy whilst introducing you to a range of topics in science and health studies. You will also develop your research and writing skills to enable you to progress to the Access course with ease.
You will be introduced to topics in Biology, Sociology, and Psychology at a level that will enable you to develop a clear understanding of new terms and concepts.