Access to Higher Education Diploma (Humanities and Social Sciences)

The Diploma is taught by subject specialist teaching staff in a supportive environment to develop the academic skills necessary to progress onto higher education. You will have homework and assignment work set each week with strict deadlines. Tutorial sessions support learners and offer guidance with the UCAS process and study skills. 

Although you only need to attend College part time, you’re expected to dedicate up to 20 hours per week to self-study, making it equivalent to a full-time commitment. 

Additional support is available for students for particular difficulties/needs. 

There is also: 

• Learning Support Team 
• Learning Resource Centres (LRCs) 
• Adult Advice Team 
• Future Steps Team 
• Designated study spaces specifically for our HE and Access to HE students 

Funding

Funding and Advanced Learner Loans are available for this course. Click here to view Funding Options A and C. 
A bursary may also be available. For further information on your funding options, please phone 01392 400170 or email adultadvice@exe-coll.ac.uk for advice. 

Course structure 

The programme consists of compulsory core units and subject options. The Access to Higher Education (Humanities and Social Sciences) course comprises of 3 units from the following subjects, to include at least History / English and either Sociology / Psychology.  

English 

• Appreciating Literature 
• Appreciation of a Novel 
• Language Change 
• Shakespearean Drama 
• Fairy Tales, Folklore and Culture 

History 

• Origins of the First World War 
• Causes of Revolution in Russia 
• Dictatorship in the Twentieth Century 
• The Holocaust 
• History Project 
• Causes and Consequences in History 

Politics 

• Decision making in the UK 
• Political Culture 
• Political Participation 
• Political Parties 
• The Policy Process 

Psychology 

• Behaviourism 
• Pro-Social and Anti-Social Behaviour 
• Psychopathology 
• Treatments and Therapies 
• Memory Processes 
• Understanding Stress 

Sociology 

• Sociology of Education 
• Understanding Crime and Deviance 
• Measurements of Crime 
• Sex and Gender Studies 
• Sociology of Religion 

The diploma also includes a compulsory unit of Academic Study Skills  

• Introductory Academic Study 
• Producing a Written Assignment 
• Presentation Skills 
• Academic Study Techniques 

Please note these are subject to change. 

Students may also be enrolled on a supplementary IT course, at no extra cost. Essential Digital Skills has been designed to enhance and polish IT skills for use in the real world and is vital for university and future careers. 

Next steps:  

Progression routes: Past students have gone on to work or study in: History, Archaeology, Politics, English, Creative Writing, Criminology, Geography, Journalism, International Relations, Liberal Arts, Film, Law, Psychology, Research, Policing, Linguistics, Criminology, Crime and Security Science, Sociology, Anthropology, Religion and Theology, Social Work, and Teaching. 

• You will need a grade 4(C) or above in GCSE English and GCSE Maths. Please note, from 2017 a grade C in English and Maths is equivalent to a grade 4(C) 
• A high level of motivation to be an independent student with a willingness for self study. 
• The commitment to studying a full time, challenging course. 
• Evidence of recent study is desirable. 
• A clear idea of the university level programme that you wish to apply for 

Please note that some universities will also require you to have GCSE Maths grade C or grade 4 or above before applying; this will mean you will need to complete this before starting the Access Diploma. Please check this before applying to the Access Diploma. 

You can also access English for Speakers of other Languages (ESOL) or adult GCSE English courses at the College. 

• The Tower Building on Hele Road Site – there are many spaces for adult students to study and an Access to Higher Education student computer room.
• Coffee shops – for example, in the Digital and Data Centre and the Tower building.
• Learning Resource Centres (LRCs)

As well as the course fees, applicants need to factor in food, travel, books, stationery and printing costs. Applications for our College Learner Support Fund or the Bursary Fund are advisable for applicants who know that they may struggle financially. There will also be UCAS fees when applying for university.

Please be aware that there are no car parking facilities at Exeter College city centre sites, but public car parks are available across the city.