English & Humanities - Access to Higher Education - Humanities and Social Sciences Pathway

Heart of Yorkshire Education Group

Margaret Street, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF1 2DH

Access to Higher Education

Level 3

Available start dates

Tuesday, 01 September 2026

Wakefield College

1 Year(s)

Full time

Daytime/working hours

Students who were under 24 as at the 31st August who do not already hold a Level 3 qualification (eg. A levels or Level 3 BTec) may not have to pay fees, this is dependent on your postcode. All other students can apply for the Advanced Learner Loan to cover the fees. This is a type of student loan, but if you progress to university and complete your degree, the loan will be cancelled and consequently your Access course will be free. You can find out more about the Advanced Learner Loan here: www.gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan.

Course Summary

If you are interested in becoming a social worker, primary teacher, counsellor, psychologist or other professional with a degree qualification, this could be the course for you. It is a one year course designed for adults who may not have had the opportunity to do A Levels nor study for a degree qualification.

The College has close links with local universities that welcome students from this Access to HE course. Students are guided through their university applications and supported in their applications for relevant work experience.

The course is usually available as a three day a week course to allow you to continue with some part time work on the other days.

Please note that there is a very intensive workload though, and students should realise that it makes substantial demands in terms of time, commitment and study.

Attendance at all timetabled lessons is essential.

Course Details

Whilst on this course you will study a range of different units, including:

English

Textual Analysis
Written Language Analysis
Sociolinguistics
Historical Language

Sociology

Theories of Crime and Deviance
The sociology of Mental Illness
Social Divisions
Further Issues in Sociology

Psychology

Psychology: Approaches and Methods
Conformity and Obedience
Psychology: Approaches and Methods

Academic Research

Academic Studies
Research
Presentation and Reflection
Digital Skills

How will it be delivered and assessed?

Assessment takes place through course assignments and examinations. Each of Level 3 unit will be graded Pass, Merit or Distinction. In addition, you will take Study Skills and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Methods units which are ungraded but you must pass them to achieve the qualification.

The course requires you to attend College for 2 days a week.

Entry requirements

GCSE Grade 9-4 in English and Maths

Functional Skills Level 2

Your next steps...

The Access to HE Humanities and Social Sciences allows students to develop their skills in preparation for progression to university, students who successfully complete this course progress to study:

Social Work
Teaching
English
History
Psychology

Additional information

https://www.heartofyorkshire.ac.uk/course-search/wakefield-college/english-humanities/access-to-higher-education-humanities-and-social-sciences-pathway

To book please visit: https://www.heartofyorkshire.ac.uk/students/information-for-prospective-students/how-to-apply

For more courses like this, check our courses page.