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Course Overview

Please Note: The deadline for the academic year of 2024/25 has passed. The next intake of students will be in September 2025.

Studying the Access to Higher Education Combined Studies Pathway enables you to study 3 pathways into those area of study in Higher education - Psychology, Sociology and Law/Criminology. This course is designed for over 19 year olds.

You will participate in and complete a number of practical modules.  These will be selected at the start of the year depending on your chosen career direction. 

Subjects will include: 

  • Law
  • Criminology
  • Psychology
  • Sociology
  •  Critical Thinking
  •  HE Study Skills

If you are an adult looking to return to education, this course provides an excellent preparation for Higher Education and a step towards your dreams of university. We aim to deliver the lessons over 2-3 days a week and there is an expectation of further home study of 15 hours a week to be successful.

If you are an adult looking to return to education, our courses provide an excellent preparation for Higher Education and a step towards your dreams of university.

Students are admitted to the programme by application form and formal interview, with a further guidance interview where appropriate. Where necessary, evidence of your determination to succeed may be required.  Applicants must have achieved Level 2 (or equivalent) or above for literacy and numeracy, or GCSE at grade C / 4 in English language and mathematics, and produce the certificates/evidence of this at interview. 

For those with English as a second language IETLS 5.5 or ESOL at level 2.

The course is designed for adults who do not have traditional sixth-form or vocational qualifications, allowing them to prepare for and gain entry to degrees and other Higher Education programmes.  It helps enormously if you have identified a potential career path you wish to follow before starting the course.

Students will be continuously assessed throughout this course with a mixture of assignments, practical tasks, presentations, projects and unit examinations.  The portfolio of evidence created is internally assessed and moderated before final external moderation and certification.

Success on the course is achieved by regular attendance and maintenance of the evidence portfolio for HE Study Skills.  You will need to pass a minimum of 60 credits with 45 credits in Academic Content and 15 credits in Academic Preparation Skills. 

There is no work experience on this course

On successful completion of this course there are opportunities to continue studying Criminology, Psychology, Law, Primary School Teaching, Sociology, Social Care or Social Policy at Honours Degree level. Business, Accounts, Finance and Economics, Advertising and Marketing have  also been popular destinations.   You will  also receive guidance with UCAS applications and progressions routes.

Currently £3022 (maybe subject to change)

ELCAS eligable

Venue:
These pathways take place at the Lansdowne site, Bournemouth

Contacts:
The College Helpline: 01202 205205
E-mail: enquiries@thecollege.co.uk
Access Co-ordinator: 001202 205798
Course Administrator: 01202 205180

Funding:
Depending on your age and circumstances you may be entitled to receive significent financial help and/or benefits, and in some cases you may be able to attend the course at no cost to you.


Are you aged between 19 and 23?: Any student who does not have a full level 3 qualification (such as A levels) and is aged 19 - 23 is eligble for support to reduce their fees.  The amount will vary according to individual circumstances, so please contact us on 01202 205205 for help.  If you have an A level or similar qualification, please talk to the Adult Guidance Team as other courses may be more suitable for you.


Students that enrol on an Access to HE Diploma will normally be eligible to receive an Advanced Learning Loan. The loan facility  is administered and issued on behalf of the government by the Student Loan Company. It means you don't need to make any payments up front and you won't need to make any repayments until your earnings are over £21,000 a year.

If you take out an Advanced Learning Loan to cover the cost of your Access to HE Diploma and then progress to sucessfully complete your degree the Government will write off the loan that covered your Access course. This means you could study an Access to HE Diploma for free.

There is an online guide that explains qualification levels. You can find it at:

thecollege.co.uk/adult-skills/guide-qualifications
 

Resourses: The College's extensive facilities include excellent resource centres offering access to the Internet, CDs, videos, audio visual packages and CD Rom, as well as a stock of over 75,000 books and periodicals. Study areas/quiet rooms are available and there is also an area dedicated to careers reference material.
 

Awarding Body:
CAVA (Cambridge Access Validating Agency)

Curriculum Area:
Science, Care, Health and Foundation - Science, Health and Humanities

Course Options

Start Date

Wed 3rd September 2025

Attendance

Full-time

Duration

1 Years

Location

Poole Campus

*Advanced learner loan available

From courses to careers

£62,489.47

Potential Salary

£29,088.00

Entry Level Salary

£38,871.52

Average Salary

45

Annual Openings

£52,472.62

Potential Salary

£31,950.00

Entry Level Salary

£38,141.00

Average Salary

22

Annual Openings

£57,413.61

Potential Salary

£23,346.00

Entry Level Salary

£34,836.72

Average Salary

3

Annual Openings

£63,266.59

Potential Salary

£21,474.00

Entry Level Salary

£36,958.98

Average Salary

3

Annual Openings