Level 3 Access to HE Diploma (Social Sciences)

Level 1 Diploma

Course Location

College

Trafford College

Location

Altrincham Campus

Further Details

Age

Adult

Department

Access to Higher Education

Course Start Date

Monday 15th September 2025

Course Duration

Full-time, 1 Year

Course Time

Course Fee

£ 3022.00
You may be eligible for support with your tuition fees - please visit the college website - funding and finance page for further information

Course Code

AFP-AH3D-1200

Course Overview

This course is designed to prepare mature students for university level study. If you want to work in Health & Social Care, Social Work, Primary Teaching, Law and many other careers with a strong social sciences basis, this course will provide excellent preparation for a suitable Higher Education degree.

In 2022-23, 100% of students on our Access Social Sciences diplomas secured offers of university places. This compares with a progression rate of just 55.4% across all Access diploma courses in England and Wales.

The course runs for an academic year and you will be in college three days per week for 32 weeks. You will be attending for 13 hours per week (12 hours of lessons and 1 hour of tutorial). You will also need to allow at least 12 hours per week for private study and assignment completion.
Approximate times: 9.20am – 3pm (exact times to be confirmed)

Course Requirements

This course requires you to have achieved GCSE English Language and Maths at grade C/4 or better before enrolling on the Access Diploma. Please note that for some degree courses you will also need GCSE Science at grade C/4 or better.

In some circumstances, we can accept Functional Skills Numeracy level 2 instead of GCSE Maths.

If you don’t meet the entry requirements, don’t worry. You can apply for our level 2 pre-Access course which will prepare you for the Access to Higher Education Course.

What you will Learn

On this Access Diploma, you will study modules in Sociology, Psychology and Criminology. In addition, you will complete a module of ungraded Developmental units, which are designed to develop the academic and study skills you need to be a success, not only on the Access Diploma, but also in your future university-level studies.

Assessment

Assessments include essays, practical reports, case studies, open or closed-book examinations and verbal, visual or IT-based presentations. All modules will include an element of time-constrained assessment which will contribute towards the final module grade.

Progression

Most university admissions tutors will accept the Access to HE Diploma as an entry qualification for Higher Education, but there may be some degrees for which this certificate alone may not be acceptable. The suitability of the course for your ultimate career aim will be discussed at interview.

Progression from this pathway can be on to degree programmes such as Social Care, Criminology & Sociology, Psychology & Counselling, Social Work, Policing Law & Investigation and more.

Career Options

Social worker, counsellor, psychologist, police force, criminologist

Mandatory Units

Psychology, Criminology, Sociology.

Contact Details

For further information please contact T: 0161 886 7070 or E: info@trafford.ac.uk

Extra Costs Involved

Exam Validation Body

Hours Per Week

How Long To Complete

Programme Structure

Contact Details

Disclaimer

Although every care has been taken to ensure that the information contained within this document is accurate, there may be changes to this programme and provision. We will endeavour to keep prospective and current students updated where appropriate and when the information becomes available.
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