How to Apply
You will be able to apply for this Diploma from April 2026
Fees
More information about fees for Access to Higher Education Diploma (Social Science and Humanities) will be available soon.
Level
Level 3
Access to Higher Education Diploma Open Days
Because these are intensive courses, we have a rigorous recruitment process and you are required, as part of the application process, to attend an Open Day.
About the course
This course is residential or non-residential. Please note: residential students stay for 4 days and 3 nights each week, at the college and need to have their own alternative accommodation for the rest of the week
Our Access to Higher Education Diploma (Social Science and Humanities) is a great stepping-stone to university, especially if you are wanting to pursue a career in one of the following professions:
- Youth work
- Teaching
- Journalism
- Social Work
- Counselling
- Historian/Curatorship
- Politics/Government
- Psychology
- Research
- Media/Social Media
Former students have gone on to study degrees and professional qualifications in subjects such as history, social policy, politics, literature, journalism, creative writing, youth work, counselling and education.
And…over the past 6 years, our Access to Higher Education Diploma pass rate has been an average of 100% with students going to universities across the UK!!
Don’t worry if you have not been in education for a long time, your maths, digital and/or English skills are a bit rusty or you are not sure if university is for you. We can help! We offer a friendly and supportive environment especially to people who may have come through a personal challenge, have had a bad experience with learning or have previously thought they may not be able to go into higher education.
Take a look at where our class of 2023/2024 went after they successfully completed the Access to Higher Education (Social Science and Humanities) Diploma:
Residential learning
Being a residential student gives you the chance to focus on your studies, meet new and like-minded people, it gives you an idea of what staying at university might be like and most importantly – it allows you the freedom to concentrate on achieving the future you want to have.
How Fircroft teaches the course
This is a full-time course. As such, we encourage students to be part-time residential at the college throughout the course but there are a limited number of non-residential places available. Fircroft delivers the Diploma as a blend of classroom, online and independent study. The main learning will be 3-4 days each week at college and the rest of the week can be used for assignments, research and independent study.
Since this is an intensive course, we are not closed for some national public holidays although we close for up to 2 weeks for Christmas and the Easter Bank Holiday weekend. Students will not be able to be residential at those times.
What you will study
As well as maths, English and digital skills, you will study a range of subject areas including:
- Psychology
- History
- Literature
- Sociology
- Film/Media
- Politics
Entry Requirements for Access to Higher Education Diploma (Social Science and Humanities)
- You must be aged 19 or older by August 31st 2025 (this is a college requirement).
- Students will need access to a computer, speakers, internet and camera to facilitate some online learning. However, if this is going to be difficult for you, please speak to the Admissions team.
- If you do not have a level 2 literacy and level 1 numeracy qualification from within the last 5 years we will ask you to take a Literacy and numeracy assessment.
- When you show that you are able to reach the skills level in these areas, you will then be invited to attend an interview.
Accreditation
Our Access to Higher Education (Social Science and Humanities) Diploma is accredited by the AIM Qualifications and Assessment Group and is widely recognised by universities in England and Wales.
Support Offered
Fircroft offers support and guidance to our students when needed to ensure they achieve the aims and objectives of their course as well as having an enjoyable learning experience.
- We are a social justice college.
- We welcome people from all walks of life who are able to study independently with us.
- We celebrate diversity and strive to ensure all of our students have an inclusive learning experience.
What Fircroft’s students say about this course
“Coming to Fircroft has 100% changed my life for the better. It has given me confidence in myself and in my abilities. Coming to the college has given me hope for the future and I am not stuck in the rut I was in”
Hannah, an Access to Higher Education (Social Science and Humanities) Diploma student 2019/2020 who progressed to university after her course
