If you live in England, you might be able to do this course for FREE, see ‘Additional Information’ tab for more details. Apply today and our team will confirm if you could qualify for free place, with no obligation.
Are you interested in a rewarding career in Social Work, Education, Psychology, Criminology, yet worry that a lack of time could prevent you from taking that next step?
Access to Higher Education qualifications are nationally-recognised, one-year, intensive Level 3 courses. They are a fast-track route to gaining the the skills and qualifications you need to study at university and begin the career you are dreaming of.
This online learning course means that you can study for a change of career, or a return to education, at times that suit you. It has also been specially designed for adult learners that are aged 19 or over, who do not currently meet the necessary entry requirements for a university course, or who have been out of education for a period of time.
The course is validated and moderated by Ascentis under license from the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education and comprises of 60 credits, of which 45 are graded and 15 ungraded. You will study towards 3 credits in Preparing to Progress, 3 credits in academic writing and 54 credits over the three subjects Psychology, Law and Sociology.
Benefits of studying with Activate Learning:
- Designed exclusively for adults (19+)
- Supportive environment provided through tutors with subject expertise
- Guidance webinars for every module
- Help and guidance on writing your personal statement and completing your UCAS application
- One-year programme equivalent to three A Levels, allowing you to achieve the qualification you need to enter university
- Flexible learning enabling you to study whilst working and personal commitments
- Widely recognised and accepted qualification by UK universities.
FEES: We are waiting for the government to announce the fees for Access courses this year. We expect them to be confirmed in April and will let applicants know as soon as they are released. As a guide, fees in the past have ranged between £3022 to £4000.
Funding rates for Advanced Learner Loans, which can be used to pay for Access to Higher Education courses, are released in June.
Remember: if you go to university and complete a degree, the government will write off the loan for your Access course. Please see the ‘Additional Information’ tab for more details.
What you'll learn
You will study modules in Study Skills, Psychology, Biology and Sociology. Credits are gained through the coursework. We would advise for you to check with your chosen University to ensure they accept these units for your chosen course before you apply.
- Non-Academic: Preparing to Progress 3 credits (Ungraded) Preparing to progress Booklet
- Non-Academic: Academic Writing 3 credits (Ungraded) Academic Writing Booklet and essay
- Psychology: Introduction to Psychology 3 credits (Ungraded) 2000-word essay
- Psychology: Child Development 3 credits (Graded) 2000-word essay
- Psychology: Psychological Perspectives and Behaviours 6 credits (Graded) 3500-word essay
- Psychology: Psychological Investigation 6 credits (Graded) 3500-word word assignment
- Law: Introduction to Law Making 3 credits (Ungraded) 2000-word assignment
- Law: The English Legal System 6 credits (Graded) 3500-word assignment
- Law: Criminal Justice System and Police Powers 3 credits (Graded) 2000-word assignment
- Sociology: Culture and Identity 3 credits (Ungraded) 2000-word essay
- Sociology: Families, Households and Personal Relations 3 credits (Graded) 1000-word essay and a 1000-word report
- Sociology: Health and Illness 3 credits (Graded) 2000-word essay
- Sociology: Poverty 3 credits (Graded) 2000-word presentation
- Sociology: Sociological Perspectives 6 credits (Graded) 3500-word essay
How you'll learn and be assessed
One subject will be covered at a time and a tutor with specialist subject knowledge will be assigned to guide and support you on your learning journey. Although the workload of the course is intensive, it is structured in a way that recognizes the pressures on adult learners. Many students successfully balance a healthy work/home life whilst studying the course and Activate Learning has helped over 3,000 Access to HE students’ progress on to university.
Teaching will be delivered by way of self-directed learning with access to regular tutor support. Additional webinars and online forums for group discussions are also available throughout your studies. You will be assessed through coursework. All assessments are internally and externally verified through a rigorous and robust process to ensure all grading is consistent, fair and provides developmental feedback.
Progression
An Access to HE Diploma will help you to progress to study at university. It will also help you improve your employment prospects. As well as developing subject knowledge, you will improve your communication, personal and study skills through a core programme that also provides one-to-one tutorial support.
Completing an Access to HE Diploma in Built Environment allows learners to go on to study degrees in a range of professional areas in the built environment. These include construction and built environment, project management, quantity and building surveying, commercial management in construction, built environment design, health and safety, and many more. In addition, the Diploma provides learners with direct access to other roles that don’t require a degree, including:
- Tendering and estimating
- Business development
- Cost control
- Quality control
- Administration in the built environment
Note: Please check the entry requirements for your chosen universities with regard to the suitability of this qualification.
Entry requirements
You must meet the following entry criteria:
- Aged 19+ at the start of the academic year.
- Living in the UK.
- Already hold a grade B/6 or above in GCSE maths and GCSE C/4 or above in English Language or equivalent such as Functional Skills Level 2. If you hold international qualifications, we can assess these to see if you meet the criteria.
- Passing an entry assessment in maths and English.
*For your application to be processed, we are required to view your official certificates. These can be requested from the awarding body if you no longer have them.
You will NOT be able to study maths and/or English GCSEs alongside this course.
You will have a numeracy and literacy assessment to check your suitability to study at Level 3. Don’t worry, most students are successful in the assessment process.
A wide range of support is available at the college for students, including financial support.
Additional information
Once you submit your application with us and we have seen proof of your maths and English qualifications, you will receive an initial literacy and numeracy test by email to check your suitability to study at Level 3.
But don’t worry—most students are successful in this! If you pass, you will then receive an offer for the course and the most relevant funding information.
Funding Options:
To be eligible for funding, you will need to live in England. Anyone in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland will need to self-fund the course.
Level 3 Entitlement fee remission: If you are aged 19-23 and do not hold a prior full Level 3 qualification, you may be eligible to study the course for free. This would also depend on your location within the UK, but we will check this for you during your application process.
19+ Advanced Learner Loan: If you are aged over 23, or you are 19-23 with a full Level 3 qualification, you can fund the course with the Advanced Learner Loan supplied by Student Finance England. This loan will be wiped from your records if you progress to university and complete your studies! If you do not progress to university or a higher education course, you will not need to start paying back the loan until you earn over £25,725.00.
Remember: If you go on to study at university and complete a degree, the government will write off the loan for your Access course.
