Access to Higher Education - Law and Criminology (OCN) Level
2/3
Course Description
The aim of the course is to give mature
learners a second chance at education which will facilitate access
to Higher Educational programmes such as BA Applied Social Science.
The course also enables students to develop confidence, self-esteem
and enhance their interpersonal skills. To achieve the Access to HE
Diploma, 60 Access credits are required, 45 of which must be at
level 3.
All modules are internally assessed and graded and internally
and externally moderated. Grades awarded are Pass, Merit or
Distinction.
Course Structure
The course is made up of 5 units:
Three core units:
- Personal & Professional Development
- English & Communication
- Study Skills
And two option units from:
- Biology
- English Literature
- Sociology
- History
- Criminology
- Psychology
The course can be studied as follows
Route 1 - One year programme (Studying
at Level 3)
The timetable usually works out at 2.5 days a
week in lessons plus 2.5 days in self directed study.
Route 2 – Two year programme (Studying at Level
2 and 3)
In the first year you will be awarded a Level 2. The programme
is delivered in 26 weeks and the timetable usually works out at
either 4 days 9.30 – 3.30 or 2 days 9.30 – 6.30.
Course Entry Requirements
There are no formal entry requirements for
Access to HE courses but your general academic starting point will
be assessed to help us provide appropriate guidance. Please
make sure you bring copies of your existing qualifications with you
to the interview.
Recruitment onto Access courses is a three
stage process which begins following receipt of your
application.
This process will be used to provide
individual guidance onto an appropriate level/route of study.
- Stage One: Skills Review (Maths and
English).
- Stage Two: Diagnostic Assessment (A more in
depth Maths and English assessment).
- Stage Three: Interview.
Offers are made on a first come, first served
basis, following the interview. Failure to attend any one of these
stages could impact on your chances of securing a place.
In preparation for achieving the level three
Access to HE Diploma by the fastest route possible you should
consider the following:
- Achieving (or updating) Maths to level 2.
- Achieving (or updating) English to level 2.
(You can arrange a brush up on one or both of
these subjects by contacting the basic skills team on 0800 358
7676.)
- Specific University entry requirements such as GCSEs or
national qualifications.
- Specific University work experience requirements, either paid
or voluntary.
Once on the one year full-time course you will
be required to complete an application for a University place
straight away. Therefore, prior research is essential. Please refer
to the University websites or visit http://www.ucas.ac.uk/ to explore your
career options and/or visit our careers drop in service during the
following days/times.
- Monday and Wednesday 1pm-5pm.
- Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9am-1pm.
Please note: some university
courses require that you must have RELEVANT work experience (paid
or voluntary) prior to submitting your application for a university
place. If you need to do voluntary work to gain relevant
experience then you will need to consider completing the Access
course over 2 years.
Course Fees
Fees for this course are £815.00. Students wishing to pay in
installments will also have an additional £30.00 administration
fee.
Please Note: This course is designed to
meet the needs of students over the age of 19 and as such it is not
funded for students aged between 16 and 19 when the course
commences; although this age group is not excluded students will
have to pay full fees, which are currently approximately
£3,800.
Course Progression
On successful completion of the course you will be prepared for
entry onto a HE programme, such as the BA and BA (Hons) options
offered at the College
Course Career Prospects
Career routes relevant to this course could include solicitor,
legal adviser, criminal justice and police.
Useful careers websites:
If you are unsure about your career progression please contact
the Careers Team.
For Specific Course Information Contact
Ann Thompson 01302 553716 ann.thompson@don.ac.uk
Melanie Hale 01302 553680 melanie.hale@don.ac.uk
For more advanced courses such as Degrees and HNC/Ds please click here.