Online United Kingdom
DURATION
1 year
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
GBP 6,100
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning
Key Summary
Introduction
This course can be studied via the full-time, two-year or distance learning delivery modes.
Are you looking for a career change? Our CAVA Access to HE programmes at City College Plymouth offer fantastic opportunities to retrain for a new job and a more fulfilling career. This Access to Higher Education Social Science pathway can enable you to retrain in social science careers such as psychology, sociology, criminology, criminal justice services, drugs and alcohol counselling or philosophy and ethics. After completing this one-year, full-time course you could progress to university courses in psychology and other social science-related subjects – all depending on your aspirations and the combination of subjects you choose. If you previously went straight into a job after leaving school, or you have taken stock and want a new career direction, this course offers the chance to study alongside other mature students, tutored by experienced, motivational and supportive lecturers. You may be required to study GCSEs in English, maths or science depending on your career and university aspirations. Please note the College course title is a suggested progression route, you must check with your preferred higher education institution to ensure that this course meets their entry requirements.
Upon successful completion of the course, you will be awarded an Access to Higher Education Diploma (Social Sciences).
Admissions
Curriculum
Academic subjects may include:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Practical scientific project
Total credits – 45 at level 3
Academic preparation skills units subjects may include:
- Examination technique and practice
- Maths/English
- Study skills
Total credits – 15 at level 2 or ungraded level 3.Total 60 credits.
Placements, Voluntary Work and Paid Employment
It is essential that you are aware if your university course requires you to have prior experience before applications are made. Lack of work experience would not exclude you from completing the Access course, however it may impact on your application to university.
GCSEs
GCSE equivalences in maths, English and science are no longer part of the Access Diploma. It is up to you if wish to enrol on GCSEs alongside your diploma if you do not currently hold a recent C+ qualification. Your chosen university may not require its applicants to have GCSE or may be happy with previously achieved qualifications, such as O Level, level 2, etc.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you have clarified if enrolling on a GCSE is appropriate for you. If your university course does require you to study at GCSE level you could study alongside your Access Diploma, however, you must understand the implications of not achieving your GCSEs. Although it does not affect your achievement of an Access Diploma it may compromise your place at university if you achieve the Access Diploma but do not achieve your GCSEs. Some universities encourage applicants to apply for university without GCSEs and complete equivalences between application and enrolment with the university (again, this is something you have to clarify).
Alternatively, you may wish to study your GCSEs the year before or after Access study. GCSE classes are held during the day and in the evening. You will have to apply as a separate course, as well as your Access course if this is your preference. The national changes in GCSE requirements for mature students are unique to each HEI.
Program delivery
Assessment methods
In each subject you will be taught a range of units and each unit is assigned a credit value. When you successfully complete a unit you will be awarded a number of credits – these can be awarded at level 2 or level 3, depending on the standard of your work. You will continue to ‘collect’ credits throughout the course. The course is assessed by coursework, assignments, projects and exams.