About This Course

ACCESS to HIGHER EDUCATION DIPLOMA (LEVEL 3)



What is an Access course and what qualification will I achieve?

• Access courses provide opportunities for mature students to re-enter employment, progress to university or professional training.

• The Access to HE course is designed to help mature students to enter into Higher Education without the need for A Levels.

• This is a nationally recognised qualification worth 60 credits. On completion of the course you will be awarded an Access to Higher Education Diploma accredited by AQA. The Diploma is accepted by many universities instead of the mandatory 3 A Levels.

What will I study?

The Access programme is made up of:

Extended Studies
Introduction to Social Science
Psychology
Sociology
Social Policy
Study Skills (including Preparing for HE & Information and communication technology)

There are 8 units of study in total, two of which can be taken at level 2 (GCSE equivalent) instead of level 3.

When will I attend?

The course is full time for one year. You will attend college between 4 and 5 days a week depending on any additional subjects you may require. Classes start at 9.15 and finish at 2.45. The class times are designed specifically for people with children.

How is the course taught?

The course is delivered through a combination of classroom activities and private study. You could possibly spend up to 5 days a week studying in college and at least another day studying on your own. You will be given lots of help to produce your work and complete your studies. You will also have regular individual and group tutorials.

How will I be assessed?

Assessment will be carried out using a variety of methods including; portfolio building, structured assignments, research reporting; source based analysis, essay writing and examination. You will get lots of help from your tutors before completing any assessments.

How much will the course cost?

The full fee for this course is  £120. If you qualify for fee remission the discount cost if £80. All students pay a £15 college registration fee. Financial assistance is available. Please ask a member of the College Services team.

Funding

Students attending this course may be eligible for an Adult Learning Grant (ALG). Please ask for further details.

Are there any additional costs?

You will need to provide your own file and writing materials. You will also need course textbooks; you may choose to buy these yourself or for a small fee you will be able to loan books from college for the duration of the course.

What next?

The college is committed to helping students progress onto other courses. All students will receive guidance, information and support when looking to move on from the course. Possible next steps are; applying for a job, applying through UCAS to attend university, applying to join an A level programme or applying to join a Level 3 vocational programme.

Who can I talk to for further information and guidance?

Our college services team will be happy to answer any questions you may have about enrolling on this course. If you require more detailed information you can speak to one of the course tutors or the Access coordinator.
If you are interested in further training but feel you need help to find the right course for you please contact the college and ask to speak to a member of the Education Advice Service for Adults (EASA) team.