Access to HE Diploma (Social Sciences)

Study level: 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

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

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.

Chat with us

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

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

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