Access to HE Humanities (Education)

If you are thinking of a career in education but don't yet have the prerequisite qualifications for university, then this is the right course for you. An Access to Higher Education qualification is a fast-track course that is widely recognised by universities and bridges the gap between existing education and what is needed to study at degree level. The Access to Education pathway is an intensive and challenging one-year course that will give you an overview of education in the 21st century and help you to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence needed for university and beyond.

You will study core education modules such as assessment strategies and lesson planning by our skilled and highly qualified teacher educators who also deliver university level courses in education. Alongside these modules you will also study core curriculum subjects English and Biology; this is important as both of these modules give you a grounding in the wider curriculum which is vitally important in education especially if you are applying for a primary education degree at university.

The programme is split into three teaching topics - Education, Biology and English. A full list of the units studied can be found below:

Education

Lesson Preparation Skills

Theories of how Children learn

Assessment Strategies and Skills

Practical Teaching Skills

Learning Difficulties in the School Environment

English

Standard and non-standard English

Appreciation of a Play

Child Language Acquisition

Appreciation of a Novel

Poetry

Biology

Biological Molecules

Body Defences

From Cells to Organ Systems

Genetics
For many Access students, they may have not been in formal education for a number of years and what most students realise when starting an Access course is that it is not like school! Class sizes are smaller which allows you to get more attention from your teacher. Classes are more like seminars which you have at university, this allows for greater discussion of the topic being covered. The course includes tutorial support sessions which covers essay writing, time management and research skills in addition to help writing your UCAS application. All teachers on the pathway have higher degrees (or are working towards them) and have a wealth of experience in their field.

Within the course there are multiple opportunities for enrichment activities outside of the classroom. In the past year students have made educational visits to the Art Galleries, Museums and Learning Centre; the Imperial War Museum, The John Rylands Library and live theatre trips to name a few.

The Access course is very intensive and the need to show commitment to the course and be motivated and determined to be successful will be matched by your teachers. We recommend that you are able to spend a minimum of 3-5 hours per week outside of the classroom devoted to your studies.
Grade C/4 (or above) in GCSE English and Maths – certificates will need to be presented. If you will be applying for a primary education degree it is likely you will also need GCSE Science at grade C/4 (or above), however some universities will accept the Science content of the Access course instead; it is your responsibility to check. Please note we do not accept Level 2 Functional Skills as equivalent to either GCSE English or maths for this course. Any overseas qualifications must be officially recognised in the UK and must be verified as equivalent by an exams equivalence service, e.g., UK ENIC. Please note entry qualifications must be in place prior to the start of the course and cannot be studied alongside the Access qualification.
The way Access is structured means that assessment is on-going throughout the year. Your first assignments are usually undertaken just a few weeks into the course. The style of assessment varies so you develop a wide range of skills in preparation for university. We are using original assessment methods such as podcasts and academic posters alongside traditional essays and exams.

There are 15 graded units on the course which will be awarded at pass, merit and distinction. These graded units are worth ‘UCAS’ points. Universities will ask for a certain number of UCAS points in any offers they make to you. For almost all courses our students go onto study, universities ask for a combination of distinctions and merits, however this varies widely between courses, so it is recommended you check entry requirements for the course you wish to study at the university you would like to apply to.

You will be given clear guidance and support for each assignment, with regular feedback from your tutors to help you develop your skills and achieve your goals. This assessment approach allows you to build a portfolio of work that showcases your abilities and prepares you for progression into higher education.
The course is recognised by all UK universities and the majority of students in the past have gone on to study at prestigious Russell Group universities such as: University College London, The University of Manchester and the University of Leeds. The course has an excellent record of students gaining entry to their first choice of university. Recent students have progressed onto diverse degrees such as Bachelors of Education (Primary), Child Psychology and Health Professions. This course is ideal for those seeking careers in teaching, law, business and a wide range of other jobs.
Fees:
£3,384
£3,384
Tuition fees are payable by all students. Discounted fees are not available.
Course Code:
NL0014MQ/1
Category:
Access To Higher Education
Centre:
Beaufort Road
Start:
08/09/2025
Duration:
1 Year
Times:
(Mon 10:00am-3:30pm & Thu 9:00am-3:00pm)

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