Pathways into Psychology, Sociology and Education (CertHE)
Pathways into Psychology, Sociology and Education (CertHE)
SCQF Level 7
Pathways into Psychology, Sociology and Education provides a supported route into undergraduate study, with Year 1 delivered at Newbattle Abbey College and progression to Year 2 at Queen Margaret University (QMU).
Students will study the QMU Year 1 Psychology and Sociology curriculum while benefiting from Newbattle's small class sizes, personalised support and nurturing learning environment, all set within the College's distinctive historic woodland estate. A unique partnership between a college and a university!
The programme provides flexibility for students who are interested in Psychology, Sociology or Education but have not yet decided on their final degree pathway. On successful completion, students can progress to Year 2 at QMU in four degree pathways:
• BSc (Hons) Psychology
• BSc (Hons) Sociology
• BSc (Hons) Psychology & Sociology
• BA (Hons) Education.
Students wishing to progress to Education will also undertake the Forest and Outdoor Learning Award (FOLA) Level 8 – Forest School and Outdoor Learning Leader, gaining an additional professional qualification through practical learning within Newbattle's 125-acre woodland estate.
Please note that this course is offered subject to validation.
Apply through UCAS (code P5B9).
There’s a really strong sense of support here. You feel it as you walk through the door!
Who is the course for?
This course is particularly suited to students who:
- Are interested in Psychology, Sociology or Education but have not yet decided on their final degree pathway.
- Are ready for degree-level study but would benefit from beginning in a smaller, supportive and nurturing learning environment.
- Are progressing from appropriate SCQF Level 6 study at Newbattle or elsewhere.
- Would benefit from a supported transition from school, college or another learning route into university.
What will I learn?
All students will study six QMU modules worth 120 credits at SCQF Level 7. Students following the Education pathway will also undertake the 18-credit Forest and Outdoor Learning Award at SCQF Level 8.
Semester 1
• Foundations of Psychology
• Introduction to Sociology
• Developing Your Academic Voice
Semester 2
• Psychology in Practice
• Classical and Contemporary Sociology
• Methods of Social Enquiry
Education and Forest & Outdoor Learning
Students wishing to progress to BA (Hons) Education in Year 2 will additionally undertake the Forest and Outdoor Learning Award (FOLA) Level 8 - Forest School and Outdoor Learning Leader.
Newbattle's 125-acre woodland estate provides a distinctive environment in which to develop practical experience of Forest School and Outdoor Learning. Students will gain supervised experience of planning and leading outdoor learning activities alongside developing leadership, professional judgement and reflective practice.
Students following the Education pathway will therefore complete Year 1 with both a QMU Certificate of Higher Education and a professionally recognised FOLA Level 8 qualification.
Following graduation, the FOLA qualification will enable students to deliver Forest and Outdoor Learning Awards within their own educational settings.
What are the Progression Opportunities?
Successful completion of the CertHE provides progression to Year 2 at Queen Margaret University in:
BSc (Hons) Psychology
BSc (Hons) Sociology
BSc (Hons) Psychology & Sociology
BA (Hons) Education
This flexibility allows students to begin university-level study across Psychology and Sociology before deciding on their final degree pathway.
Students progressing to Education will also have completed the FOLA Level 8 - Forest School and Outdoor Learning Leader qualification.
How will I study?
The programme is studied full-time over one academic year at Newbattle Abbey College.
Students will undertake the same Year 1 Psychology and Sociology curriculum as students studying at QMU, while benefiting from Newbattle's small classes, personalised academic and wellbeing support and relationship-based approach to learning.
Students will be enrolled with QMU and will use QMU learning resources and systems throughout Year 1, helping to prepare them for progression to the University in Year 2.
Learning will include lectures, seminars, workshops, independent study and collaborative activities. Students undertaking the FOLA Level 8 will also participate in practical and experiential learning within Newbattle's woodland estate.