Who is the course aimed at?

The course is aimed at mature learners who wish to return to education, sometimes after many years away from formal study. They will have a commitment to going to university to study at degree level. Our Access course is often regarded as a particularly good route to university for students who have had a break in their studies, on account of its strong emphasis on study skills, and the building of academic confidence. The minimum age is 19, although we welcome mature students who are older, and sometimes considerably older than the usual university applicant. What does the course include?

If you want to study on our Humanities course you will be educated to a university entrance (or level 3: the equivalent of A level.) There are three subject pathways and a core module that looks at study skills for university. The subjects we cover are: Psychology, Sociology and Politics.

Psychology is the science of human behaviour. We look at Memory, Social Influences, Abnormality, Stress and Social Development in children. You will also look at research methods and be encouraged to think critically about the theories and studies.

Sociology examines society on population groups. We also examine class systems, the role of Religion in society, gender issues, and also Crime and Deviance. Again a critical analysis is key here and students ability to debate and present arguments will help.

In the Politics pathway include a look at the impact of Globalisation and Nationalism. We also examine Political Ideologies and the impact on political history. We expect students to keep up to date with current affairs and to be reading around the subject.

The courses that will be open to you for university application are not limited to the subjects you have studied on the Access course. You may apply for any university course in the Humanities and Social Studies area. This is because universities are far more interested in an applicant’s proven aptitude, ability, and commitment, than in a detailed prior knowledge of any one subject. (Students arriving at University from school will often not have studied their degree subjects previously.)

How will I be assessed?

Students accumulate credits throughout the course which count towards a kite marked Access Diploma awarded by the Open College Network (London Region). All Access students have to produce a portfolio of assignment work for each subject pathway and core module (study skills). There are up to six assignments for each subject plus eight for the core module. Each assignment has an assignment brief that has to be followed and the work submitted to a strict deadline. You will also have to sit a two hour exam under timed conditions. This can be on any one of your subject pathways and you will have two questions. Your attendance and adherence to deadlines are looked at seriously as indicators of your suitability to Higher Education. So it is not just the quality of the work that we look at, but your commitment and approach to study. Universities ask us to comment on all these factors in order to decided to offer places.

What qualifications do I need to get onto the course?

Under normal circumstances applicants should be 19 or over on 1st day of September of entry. Applicants will be required to take a written test and are invited to complete this at set points in the months prior to enrolment. This test is designed to assess your interest in the topics on the Humanities programme, your ability to analyse information and construct a logical coherent argument. Those who achieve the required standard in our entry test are interviewed by the course tutor and/or Head of School. Please be aware that we normally enrol early on this course and places tend fill before the main college enrolment dates in August.

What else can I study?

The course offers a good scope in the Humanities subjects and most students do not take up another course with this. However if you do not have GCSEs in Maths and/or English, you should look to enrol on these courses or an equivalent qualification. This will strengthen your university application.

Where can this course lead me?

This is the equivalent to A level and will ultimately gain you access to a variety of universities and degree courses – not just the subjects you study on the Access course. Most successful students gain places on Humanities, Social Sciences and B.Ed. degrees. The college has links with SOAS, University of Westminster and Middlesex University. Many of our previous students have progressed to degree courses in History and Politics, Literature, Philosophy, Psychology, Social Studies and Teaching.

Validation

OCN London Region

For further information and to apply

If you wish to apply for this course, please complete a College application form.

If you need help before choosing your course, please contact our Information & Advice Centre or come along to one of our Open days.