Access to Higher Education Diploma (Humanities and Social Science) English History and Psychology - Bury St Edmunds

About the course

If you enjoy exploring ideas, people and the world around you, the Access to Higher Education Diploma in Humanities and Social Science offers an engaging route into university study. Through the study of English, History and Psychology, you will explore human behaviour, historical events and literary texts while developing critical thinking, analysis and communication skills. The course provides a strong foundation for a wide range of humanities and social science degrees and future careers.

Entry requirements

Applicants must be 19 years of age or older on 31st August prior to the course beginning. Entry is by interview and successful completion of a task within a given time frame.

GCSE English and Maths Grade 4/C or above

or

Functional Skills English and Maths Level 2

Find out more about Maths and English qualifications offered at the college.

Qualifications

Humanities and Social Sciences (English, History, Psychology) Access to HE Diploma Level 3.

What you'll learn (core modules)

There are various strands to the course learning:

• There is the opportunity to complete an individual research project in the student's own area of interest.

• The History strand will explore topics as diverse as WWI and nineteenth-century prostitution. Student learning is supported by extracurricular trips to local heritage centres.
• The English strand will investigate a range of literary forms including prose, poetry and drama; units will examine topics such as modern prose fiction, Shakespearean drama and WWI poetry.
• The Psychology strand will focus on a range of topics and will familiarise students with insights into mental health behaviours, memory, and social processes, such as group behaviour, and obedience and conformity.  Along with this, students will develop key research skills essential to studying Psychology at degree level.
• Students will gain university level study skills including research skills, critical thinking and referencing.

How will I be assessed?

A number of different assessments are used on the Access course.
These include essay writing; presentations; time-controlled assessments; an e-portfolio of Higher Education Study Skills. 
These assessments will develop your academic skills in line with university expectations ensuring a smooth transition into degree level study programmes.

Where is the course delivered? (facilities/classrooms)

The course is delivered at:

University Studies Campus
73 Western Way
Bury St Edmunds
Suffolk IP33 3SP

Where will this course take me?

The course can take you to study our UEA validated History and English BA(Hons) course here at USWSC and to most other universities across the country (subject to entry requirements).  This course is a recognised pathway into Teaching, Heritage industry, Management, civil service, Library services, Journalism, Legal professions and many other Higher Education degree programmes. It is designed to meet the needs of learners who may not have had the opportunity to enter higher education earlier in their lives. 

If you need help with funding

We offer flexible payment plans to help spread the cost of fees.
If you are aged between 19 and 23 and studying for your first full Level 3 qualification, your course will be fully funded through our Adult Education Budget and you will not incur any fees.
If you are 19-23 and already have a full level 3 qualification or are over 24, you can apply for an Advanced Learner Loan to fund your course. 
For students studying Access to HE diplomas, Student Finance England will write off any outstanding Advanced Learner Loan balances taken out to pay for an Access course should you complete a degree. This means that you would not have to repay your access loan.
Study is hard enough without struggling to pay for the things that you may need to undertake your course. A discretionary bursary fund, depending on household income and family circumstances may provide support for travel, childcare and materials required for your course. Apply for a Bursary.

I'm interested. What should I do now?

Please apply online, or email us to find out more: AccesstoHE@easterneducationgroup.ac.uk

Days & times

Starting 01/09/2026