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  • Higher Education Introductory Studies (One-Year Fast-Track) (Certificate of Higher Education)
  • 2012/2013 entry
  • Contact us
  • Assessment
    • Coursework, timed assessments and seminar presentations.
  • Attendance

    • One–two evenings a week (6pm–9pm) plus some full-day Saturday schools.

      This is an intensive programme and you must be willing to work 15–20 hours a week independently outside class.

  • Duration

    • A 10-month fast-track programme starting in September only.

  • Entry requirements
      • No specific formal qualifications are required, but fluent written and spoken English equivalent to Level 2 (i.e. GCSE grades A–C or equivalent) is expected.
      • Students wishing to progress to a degree in nursing, midwifery, health and social work will be required to gain Level 2 qualifications in English and maths.
      • This programme is not suitable for students who already have an undergraduate degree.
  • Fees and funding
  • Financial support
      • If you are a new student starting on a course in autumn 2012, you may be able to get a student loan to cover your fees and other Birkbeck financial support. Check if you're eligible.
      • If you are already studying with us and continuing on a course that you started before autumn 2012, find out about financial support and see if you are eligible.
      • Not sure if you are a new or a continuing student? See here for more information.
  • Location
    • Central London and Stratford.
  • Teaching

    • Teaching and learning methods include talks, discussions, group work, visits, use of audio-visual materials, presentations and self-directed learning using a range of resources, including the virtual learning environment. Learning groups are kept to around 20 students, to ensure plenty of opportunity for interaction between students and lecturers.

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Study at Birkbeck  | Certificates and short courses  | Certificates and short courses, 2012/2013 entry: browse by subject (A-Z) | Higher Education Introductory Studies (One-Year Fast-Track) (Certificate of Higher Education)

Higher Education Introductory Studies (One-Year Fast-Track) (Certificate of Higher Education) - 2012/2013 entry


  • Overview
      • Progress directly into Year 2 of our BSc Social Sciences, BSc Business or BSc Arts and Humanities after successfully completing this programme*
      • Gain a University of London qualification – expand your knowledge and enhance your CV.
      • Intensive 10-month programme, giving you the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to progress to a degree or to professional training.
      • Designed to meet the needs and interests of students who have not previously had the opportunity to study at higher education level.
      • Specialist pathways available, depending on the subject(s) you want to go on to study.

      * You must successfully complete designated modules to an appropriate standard.

  • Why study this course at Birkbeck?

    • This fast-track programme will develop the learning approaches and study skills you need for successful undergraduate study. It also provides an opportunity to explore different subject areas before you decide on a particular degree. Guidance will be available on making a degree application.  

      So if you would like to study for a degree in social sciences, business or arts and humanities – or if you want to take the first steps towards entry into professions such as teaching, social work and social care, nursing, midwifery and health – this programme will develop your skills and confidence to progress further.

  • Course structure and modules

    • To gain the Certificate of Higher Education, you must successfully complete modules worth 120 credit points.

      You start with an Approaches to Study module and progress to subject modules, which give ongoing attention to your learning development and study skills. The exploration of questions about equity, diversity and social justice is an interdisciplinary theme linking the programme's modules.

      If English is your second language, you should start with Approaches to Study with English Language Support (Intensive). Those who need to develop their language proficiency should take Higher Education Introductory Studies modules over a longer period and may need to combine their studies on the programme with other English language modules.

      Please refer to the relevant pathway for details of the modules you may choose to take.

      Social Sciences Pathway

      This pathway offers a combination of subjects that can be the basis of your application for degrees in the social sciences or social policy, and may be a starting point for a wide range of careers. 

      Take Approaches to Study or Approaches to Study with English Language Support (Intensive) followed by three of the following modules:

      • Geography
      • History
      • Mathematics and Statistics for Social Scientists
      • Politics
      • Psychology
      • Sociology

      or two of the above plus two half-modules from: 

      • Career and Professional Development
      • Independent Study
      • Information and Communication Technologies.

      Social Work and Social Care Pathway

      This pathway gives you the academic grounding to apply for a full-time degree in social work, or for full-time and part-time degrees in related fields, such as youth and community work.

      Take Approaches to Study or Approaches to Study with English Language Support (Intensive) followed by:

      • Mathematics and Statistics for Social Scientists
      • Psychology
      • Sociology

      or two of the above plus two half-modules from: 

      • Career and Professional Development
      • Independent Study
      • Information and Communication Technologies.

      Nursing, Midwifery and Health Studies Pathway

      Students who take this pathway will be able to apply for either diploma- or degree-level training in nursing or midwifery, or for a degree in related subjects, such as health promotion, public health or environmental health. 

      Take Approaches to Study for Nursing, Midwifery, Health and Social Care or Approaches to Study with English Language Support (Intensive) followed by: 

      • Career and Professional Development
      • Human Physiology and Health
      • Information and Communication Technologies
      • Social and Behavioural Studies for Health Professions.

      Business Studies Pathway 

      The business studies pathway is for students who want to prepare to study a degree related to business or management.  

      Take Approaches to Study or Approaches to Study with English Language Support (Intensive) followed by three of: 

      • Business Studies
      • Mathematics and Statistics for Social Scientists
      • Politics
      • Sociology

      or two of the above plus two half-modules from: 

      • Career and Professional Development
      • Independent Study
      • Information and Communication Technologies.

      Arts and Humanities Pathway

      This pathway will be suitable if you are interested in preparing for a degree in English, humanities, journalism, media or creative writing, or in progressing to a teaching course after completing a degree.  

      Take Approaches to Study or Approaches to Study with English Language Support (Intensive) followed by three of:

      • Creative and Professional Writing
      • Geography
      • History
      • Literature and Culture
      • Media
      • Sociology

      or two of the above plus two half-modules from: 

      • Career and Professional Development
      • Independent Study
      • Information and Communication Technologies.
  • Further study opportunities

    • Students awarded the Certificate of Higher Education may apply for admission to foundation and undergraduate degrees at Birkbeck or at other UK universities.

      If you want to progress to a foundation degree at Birkbeck or to our BA Arts and Humanities, BSc Business 8or BSc Social Science, you may qualify for exemption from Year 1 if you successfully complete designated modules on the Higher Education Introductory Studies programme to an appropriate standard.

  • How to apply/enrol

    • PA (programme application): you must complete an application form and must apply for the whole programme.

      Once your application is received, you will be required to attend a consultation evening, which is a compulsory part of the application process. Acceptance onto the programme cannot be confirmed until your pathway of study has been agreed at one of these evenings. You will also receive guidance from our lecturers on which subject areas best suit your interests and potential, so you can plan your study and career progression effectively.  

      Submit your application

      You cannot currently apply online for this programme. Please contact us for more information.