Start Date
- September 2025, Full Time
Summary
The Access to Higher Education Diploma in Criminal Justice and Policing Studies, as validated by CAVA, is a City College Norwich qualification which prepares students aged 19 years and over, without relevant qualifications, for study at degree level. This course was the first to be run nationally and has received praise from the College of Policing.
The course will be run at Easton College. Students are required to participate in an intensive period of study which will cover 15 units within one academic year across 2.5 days a week at our Easton College campus.
Units studied with this course include: Theories of Crime, Criminology, The Criminal Justice System, Human Rights, Crime Scene Management, The Powers of the Police, Crime and Deviance, and a variety of Offences. Your skills will be developed in: Written and Spoken English, Presentation skills, Information Technology, Maths, Leadership, Job and University Applications.
The Access course is widely recognised by UK universities and colleges including City College Norwich. However, we advise that if you are hoping to go on to do a degree course at a specific university, it would be useful to contact them to check that the Diploma you have chosen is in an appropriate subject area and is recognised by the university or college. International students whose qualification are not recognised by UK universities or colleges, and who are 19 and over, may also wish to choose this pathway as a route to enter degree level study.
Entry Requirements
Access to Higher Education prepares adults without traditional qualifications such as A Levels for study at university. This diploma is widely recognised by UK universities and Colleges. You will be given the opportunity to develop not only academic knowledge in your chosen subjects but also broader study skills to help you succeed at university. This course is suitable for students aged 19 or over.
Acceptance onto the Access programme is conditional on you:
- Providing evidence of achievement in English Language and Mathematics at GCSE grade A*-C or Grade 4 and above or Functional Skills Level 2 passes in English and/or Maths. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that their qualifications meet their planned progression routes.
- A satisfactory reference.
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading). International candidates are actively encouraged to access the International Students webpage and contact our International Student Advisor to discuss prior English qualifications.
If you do not currently hold the correct GCSE entry requirements, or do not specify them on your application, it will be automatically transferred to the Adult Literacy/Numeracy department. If you are working towards GCSEs this year in readiness for September, please let us know this when you apply as you will still be invited in for an interview.
Selection to discuss your suitability for the course and whether the course is right for you is by interview and evidence of your GCSE qualifications. As part of this process you may be required to complete online assessments and submit a short piece of writing. Advice can be given about alternative ways forward if necessary.
Please research Higher Education requirements very carefully.
A STRONG COMMITMENT IS NEEDED AS THE COURSE IS VERY INTENSIVE.
Objective
All candidates will be given a Digital Skills assessment and will be offered a short course to improve this area of their knowledge if this is deemed suitable.
Please note that, should you require further study in English, Maths or Digital Skills, these sessions will be offered at both Paston College in North Walsham and in City College Norwich.
Assessment
We want you to achieve to the very best of your ability at CCN. To make this happen we offer both learning and personal support by specialist staff tailored to meet your specific needs. Assessment is by coursework. There will be at least one assignment for each of the subjects listed above. These assignments may be written such as essays / research projects; oral e.g. presentations and there may also be examinations at the end of some units. You will gain a variety of academic skills e.g. communications, research and study skills.
You will be awarded credits on completion of each units with a Pass, Merit or Distinction grade. Most credits are awarded are awarded at level 3 which broadly equates to A-level study. Assessment is continuous over the whole year and is based on several set pieces of work such as essays, projects, presentations and examinations.
Progression
The Access to Higher Education Diploma in Criminal Justice and Policing Studies is widely recognised by UK universities. If you are planning to study a degree course at a specific university, it would be useful to contact them to check that the Access Course you have chosen is in an appropriate subject area and is recognised by the university or college. Please be aware that university entry criteria can change at any time. This course is also suitable to progress to employment or Higher Apprenticeships
Career Progression
On successful completion of this Access to HE programme, you can progress onto any career within Policing or Criminal Justice.
Fees
Please contact the Advice Shop for information on fees and financial support which may be available. We recommend you also check our Finance pages for further information including student travel offers.
Where Next?
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