What You Will Study

Our Access to Higher Education Diploma in Humanities and Social Sciences, as validated by CAVA, is a qualification which prepares students aged 19 and over without the relevant qualifications for degree-level study. You will study three of the following main subjects, with your pathway option determined at interview.

• Psychology: You will develop an understanding of the main critical psychological perspectives including psychodynamic and humanist approaches, behavioural, and cognitive psychology. You will progress in subsequent units by studying issues surrounding conformity and obedience, and psychopathology.
• Sociology: You will study units including: Sociological Theories of Meritocracy, The Sociology of the Family, and Studies in the Sociology of Inequality. You will explore main sociological perspectives which include functionalism and conflict theory. This subject focuses on debates and issues concerning contemporary global society.
• Cultural Studies: You will study units including: The Moving Image, Representing Youth Subcultures, Satire, and Representing the Nation. These units will focus on exploring the role culture plays in what it means to live in a world defined by globalisation, cultural movement, and popular games such as The Traitors and Squid Game.

You will also study units to support academic practice, including critical thinking and research skills.

This course is studied over three days a week at our Norfolk House campus. You will study classes on campus for 16 hours per week, however it is expected that you will need to engage in independent study alongside this. This course is broadly equivalent to studying for three A Levels in one academic year, so the course is quite fast paced.

We have two other pathways available, a Criminology pathway and a History pathway. Please see the website for further details.