Access to HE Diploma (Social Sciences)

Access courses

Two students talking on the stairs at CU Scarborough, in front of a mural of Scarborough beach.

The Social Science Access course sets out to offer adult returners 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.

Year of entry

2025-26

Location

CU Scarborough (Scarborough)

Study mode

Full-time

Duration

1 year full-time

Course code

CUSCA006

Start date

September 2025

How to apply

Book an Open Day

Download a prospectus

The information on this page is for 2024-25 entry and should be used as guidance for 2025-26 entry. Please keep checking back on this course page to see our latest updates.

Course overview

Access programmes are designed for students who have not had the opportunity to access higher education via traditional routes. Our course will give you the opportunity to attain some of the tools you will need to complete one of our degree programmes. As well as some subject-specific knowledge, we will prepare you in the fundamentals of study skills, numeracy and literacy.

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). For more information visit the Advanced Learner Loan website.
Successful completion of this course guarantees you an interview on any CU Scarborough degree course.

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

Crime and Deviance – 3 credits

Crime and Deviance provides you with the opportunity to study the key theoretical perspectives related to these interlinked yet discrete topics. Furthermore, the various social contexts in which deviant behaviour can develop are useful in gaining an insight into the extent to which social construction underpins social concepts of deviance. Examination of police statistics, Crime Survey England and Wales and victim surveys will provide opportunities to explore the ways in which different crimes are recorded and the social impact crime data reports.

Compulsory

Introduction to Psychology – 3 credits

The initial approach should allow you to grasp the basic concepts behind the perspectives without becoming embroiled in technical language. You should also be given the opportunity to place the subject matter in context, so that you can distinguish it from political and moral discourse. You should grasp that the language of psychology is an attempt to discern the key factors in human functioning and cognition without recourse to personal judgements about individuals.

Compulsory

Child Development – 3 credits

Extended Project – 6 credits

Be able to work within the conventions of a specific subject.
Be able to demonstrate extensive subject-specific knowledge.
Be able to construct sustained argument in an extended piece of work.
Be able to present work in form/s consistent with the conventions of the specific subject, including an appropriate form of academic citation.

Compulsory

Reading and Comprehension of Texts – 3 credits

Essay Writing – 3 credits

Preparation for Higher Education – 3 credits

Speaking and Listening – 3 credits

Writing Standard English – 3 credits

Terrorism and Globalisation – 3 credits

Mental Health and Illness – 3 credits

Understand the problems in defining abnormal and normal behaviour.
Understand the different psychological explanations given for the cause of a particular mental illness.
Understand the different approaches for treating a particular mental illness from different psychological perspectives.

Compulsory

Disability and Social Inclusion – 3 credits

Housing Policy in Britain – 3 credits

Safeguarding and Children’s Welfare – 3 credits

Families in Society – 3 credits

Understand how the concept of the family has changed over time and across cultures.
Understand contrasting sociological theories of the family.
Understand the contribution of feminist theorists to a sociological understanding of the family.
Understand the changing and diverse nature of the family in modern society.

Compulsory

Introduction to Sociology – 3 credits

Sociology of Education – 3 credits

Health Promotion and Health Education – 3 credits

Early Socialisation and Attachment – 3 credits

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

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.

Our timetable purposefully mirrors school timetables, avoiding Mondays and Fridays on campus, which tend to coincide with teacher training days.

Teaching contact hours

Our Access to Higher Education courses run over 36 weeks. Attendance on campus is required 9:30am – 2.30pm (including a half-hour lunch break) on a Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. You will also have the option to attend optional sessions including time with a progress coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback.

Guided and independent study

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You’ll be digging deeper into topics, review what you’ve learned and complete assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress through your studies, you’ll spend more time in independent study.

Online learning

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.

Assessment

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

essays
group work
presentations
projects
coursework.

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2024/25 entry.

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.

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.

Are you eligible for the CU Support Scheme?

We believe every student should have the opportunity to dream big, reach their potential and succeed, regardless of their background.

CU Support Scheme

Fees and funding

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK	2025/26 fees TBC* 2024/25 fees -£3,022	Not available

How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the government's Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.

If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.

Facilities

Our purpose-built campus building is arranged around an open central atrium that includes IT suites and study spaces.

The onsite library stocks essential and recommended reading and over 115,000 eBooks. The building also includes areas for career guidance and study support services, a café, a prayer room and social areas. Next to the campus is Scarborough’s leisure village. This complex includes an Olympic Legacy swimming pool, sports hall, fitness suite, all-weather pitches and the Scarborough Athletic football ground.

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 an interview for any degree programme at CU Scarborough. You could also progress on to a degree at other institutions, such as psychology, subject to meeting their specific entry criteria.

The access course can allow you to progress on the following types of degrees at CU Scarborough:

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.

How to apply

UK students

Access courses are designed for students who haven’t had the opportunity to access higher education, so formal qualifications are not mandatory. If you’re interested in an Access to HE course you’ll need to apply to us directly by completing our online application form.

Once your application form has been processed you’ll receive the outcome of your application via the email address you provided.

Apply now

If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

(+44) 02477 652222

ukadmissions.cu@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form

Disclaimers

Coventry University together with Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough, and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

¹Accreditations

The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.

²UK and international opportunities

Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or international opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be unpaid and/or subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

³Tuition fees

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

⁴Facilities

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

Student Contract

By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the current 2024/2025 contract is available on the website for information purposes however the 2025/2026 contract will apply for the 2025/2026 intake. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.

Your next steps

Student life

Accommodation

Fees and funding

Access to HE Diploma (Social Sciences)

Course overview

Accreditation and professional recognition

What you'll study

Modules

How you'll learn

Teaching contact hours

Guided and independent study

Online learning

Assessment

Entry requirements

Are you eligible for the CU Support Scheme?

Fees and funding

Facilities

Careers and opportunities

Further study

How to apply

¹Accreditations

²UK and international opportunities

³Tuition fees

⁴Facilities

Student Contract

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