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Free Access to HE Humanities Course in Penzance

CostFREE
Duration1 year
LevelLevel 3
DeliveryClassroom based
Start1 Sep 2027
Study modeFull-time
AttendanceDaytime
Awarding bodyCAVA
Apply now →

About this course

Free Access to HE Humanities Course in Penzance. Classes run full-time during the day at Penwith College, over one year. This level 3 access to he humanities course is designed for people who want to apply to university but don't yet have the qualifications to do so. It covers humanities subjects including politics and history, social sciences such as sociology and psychology, and areas relevant to teaching and law. Most UK universities recognise the Access to HE Diploma as a route in. Penwith College recommends GCSE English and Maths at grade 4 or above, though they're happy to discuss your situation.

Who this course is for

Access to Higher Education: Humanities, Teaching and Law is designed to prepare you to succeed at university in a range of humanities subjects, like politics and history, social sciences such as sociology and psychology, teaching qualifications or the law.

If you wish to apply to university for a higher education course but do not have the necessary qualifications, an Access course could well be the right choice for you. The majority of universities in the UK will accept Access to Higher Education courses as an alternative to A Levels and other more traditional routes. Students are usually aged 19 or over.

All applicants will be expected to attend an interview. There are no formal requirements for acceptance onto the Access programme. However, many universities are now insisting on Grade 4 (or above) passes in English and maths. Our students in this course have been successful in gaining places at colleges and universities to study degrees in law, history, sociology, social work, psychology, politics, teaching, geography, business and economics.

Entry requirements

We recommend that you have GCSE English and Maths at a minimum of Grade 4 (C) before you commence the Access course. However, please contact us to discuss your prior qualifications and planned progression route and we would be happy to advise based on your particular set of circumstances. It is advisable to check the GCSE requirements for the higher education course you wish to complete following the Access course, as they may have different stipulations.

What you will learn

  • You'll study humanities subjects such as politics and history.
  • You'll explore social sciences including sociology and psychology.
  • You'll develop academic writing and critical thinking skills needed at university level.
  • You'll build research and analytical skills across a range of disciplines.
  • You'll gain knowledge relevant to teaching, law, or humanities degree courses.
  • You'll learn how to construct and present arguments in an academic context.

How you will learn

You'll study in the classroom full-time during the day. Learning is delivered through taught sessions, guided study, and written assignments. Assessment is typically through coursework and essays rather than formal exams, building the academic skills universities expect. Your tutors will give feedback throughout the year to help you develop your work.

What you will need to bring

The centre will provide most materials. Penwith College will confirm anything else you need before you start.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Teaching assistant, supporting pupils in schools and colleges.
  • Community support worker, helping people access local services.
  • Legal administrator, working in law firms or courts.
  • Social care worker, supporting adults or young people in need.
  • Youth worker, working with young people in community settings.
  • Research assistant, supporting academic or policy research projects.

What you could study next

  • BA (Hons) in History, Politics, Sociology, Psychology, or a related humanities subject at a UK university. The Access to HE Diploma is widely accepted as an entry qualification.
  • BA (Hons) in Education or a Primary Education degree, if you're aiming toward teaching.
  • LLB Law degree, if law is your intended route.
  • A foundation year at university, if you want an extra year of academic preparation before a full degree.
Apply on truro-penwith.ac.uk →
Apply now →

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