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Social Services Level 7

SWAP Access to Humanities and Social Science

  • Start date:   August 2025
  • Level of Qualification:   SCQF Level 6
  • Course Type:   Full-time

SWAP Access to Humanities and Social Science

This one-year course is designed to support adults to return to formal education after a significant gap in learning and prepare them for higher level study.

Start date – August 2025
End date –  June 2026
SCQF Level - 6
Mode –  Full time
Days – Monday to Friday (not Friday PM)

The course is for anyone who has been out of formal education for three years or five years if they have higher-level or equivalent qualifications.

Read about Steven Anderson's West Lothian College experience here

 

  • HNC Digital Creative Media

    What the course includes

    By the time students have completed their SWAP year they will have gained the skills, abilities, knowledge and understanding necessary for higher level study.

    The course includes a wide range of interesting subjects including: 

    • Social sciences:  Psychology, Sociology, Philosophy, Social Anthropology, Criminology, RMPS 
    • National 5 Maths (External exam); Level 6 Communication and Literature 1 (equivalent of Higher English) 
    • Extracurricular content, such as West Lothian College Justice Conference, Livingston Sheriff Court visit, online conferences

Why choose this course

You will have the chance to gain knowledge and understanding which will help you progress on to more advanced courses. 

There is a specific focus on academic skills development, such as reading textbooks, conducting research, independent learning and study skills to support progression to more advanced courses. 

Our SWAP courses help prepare you for university with the majority of the students progressing to university after successful completion of the course. 

Learners will have the opportunity to participate in our flagship Justice Conference and gain essential research skills for studying Social Sciences.

Entry requirements

The recommended requirements are: 

  • A 3 year gap in education with a qualification no higher than SCQF level 5
  • A 5 year gap in education with a qualification at SCQF level 6 or above 
  • Individuals with a degree are not eligible to apply (including international students)
  • You will require to meet the SWAP criteria for selection - https://www.scottishwideraccess.org/national-is-swap-for-me

If English is not your first language, ESOL Level 5 is an entry requirement for this course

  • Where it leads

    Education: HNC social sciences or other suitable HNC courses

    SWAP students can progress to a university degree-level course in Humanities, Social Sciences, Sociology, Social Policy, Social Work, Psychology, Criminology, History, Landscape Architecture, English Literature, Politics, Philosophy, Journalism, Anthropology. Our previous students have progressed onto courses at The University of Edinburgh, The University of Stirling and Edinburgh Napier University. 

Interview arrangements

If we invite you for interview, plan to be in college for around two hours.

As part of your interview process you will be asked to undertake a numeracy and literacy task, we will use this to determine the course pathway that is right for you

Please bring evidence of qualifications already gained and a pre-prepared personal statement (maximum of 300 words) which includes:  

  • Why you are interested in studying the course?  
  • The qualities you think are important for you to achieve your future goals  
  • Work experience/volunteering experience/life experience 
  • Challenges that you may face as a mature student returning to full-time education  
  • Any other relevant information to support your application 

The interview involves:  

  • Information session  
  • Individual interview 
  • Written task and numeracy task 

This course is designed to support learners to gain knowledge and experience of the Social Sciences. 

Fees, Finance & Funding

There may be help available to assist with your study related costs. Impartial, confidential help and advice on financial matters is available from the Student Funding Team - including Bursaries, Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA), Student Awards Agency for Scotland, Student Loans Company and student support funds. Click here to find out more

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Take that next step in your career and apply for this course today. If the course is not yet open for applications, feel free to ask any questions by clicking make an enquiry.

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