Subject descriptions
Before choosing your Access subjects, please take your time to go through the subject descriptions.
For subject descriptions please view the information below.
Arts & Social Sciences Subjects 2024-25
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Archaeology
Archaeology is the study of the material remains of past cultures and offers students fascinating insights into the lives and experiences of others through the artefacts they created and used, and the physical spaces they occupied. This course focuses on the archaeology of Scotland and will cover topics such as Viking Scotland and Bronze and Iron Age Europe. You will also be introduced to the key skills needed in interpreting the material record that will lay strong foundations for further study, either in the College of Arts or the College of Social Sciences.
Please note, there will be two in-person labs in Glasgow as part of the course, these will take place on the following dates, and at the usual class time. You will be notified of the room location at the start of the course.
First Lab: 28th of November 2024
Second Lab: 13th of February 2025
These labs will be at the usual class time and will take place in the Archaeology Department labs at the University of Glasgow.
Course assessments
- Essay, 1500 words (40%) of the final grade
- Report or artefact analysis, 1500 words (40%) of the final grade
- Contribution to asynchronous online group discussion (20%) of the final grade
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Business and Management
This course introduces students to the academic study of Business and Management by focusing on two core areas Marketing, and the Principals of Management & Organisational Behaviour. Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of competitive analysis, marketing research, the key tenets of managerial practice, and the role finance plays in an organisation's strategies and performance. As well as gaining knowledge of the fundamentals of Business and Management, you will gain skills useful in studying within any Arts or Social Science subject at university Level 1.
Course assessments
- Two written assignments (1500 words each, and individually account for 40% of the final grade)
- One online class test (submission open for 48 hours, this is worth 20% of the final grade)
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Classical Studies
Classical Studies centres on the hugely influential cultures of ancient Greece and Rome. In this course, students explore highlights of Greek and Roman art, history and literature, starting with one of the greatest literary works of all time: Homer’s Odyssey. The course will help students develop essential study skills, including laying out arguments in essay form and working together to analyse ancient sources, all of which would be useful for further study across Arts or Social Science subjects.
Course assessments
- Essay, 1500 words (40%) of final grade
- Report or artefact analysis, 1500 words (40%) of final grade
- Contribution to asynchronous online group discussion (20%) of final grade.
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Economics
This course introduces students to core concepts from both micro- and macro-economics, developing skills and knowledge for university Level 1 study in Economics, Business, Finance or related Social Sciences. An introduction to basic concepts of supply, demand and equilibrium gives way to detailed study of costs of production and the national income. The course highlights the relevance of the subject to everyday life by concluding with savings, investment, and inflation. As well as gaining knowledge of the fundamentals of Economics, you will gain skills useful in studying within any Arts or Social Science subject at university Level 1.
Course assessments
- Two written assignments (each of up to 1500 words, and individually account for 40% of the final grade)
- One 90-minute multiple-choice class test (20%)
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English Literature
This course provides an introduction to English Literature, and develops the skills required for successful undergraduate study in the subject. The course covers examples of poetry, prose fiction and drama. Students will learn how to use literary terminology, write academic essays and participate in group discussions. Identification and explorations of key themes, such as, social class, gender roles and human development will play a significant part in encouraging engagement with the texts.
Course assessments
- Two essays (1500 words each, and individually account for 40% of the final grade)
- Online Group discussion – close reading exercise (20% of final grade) this is conducted asynchronously online via a discussion forum where students contribute and respond to each other over a 2-week period
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History of Art
Have you ever wondered why paintings, sculptures, buildings, and works of design look the way they do? This course focuses on the key skills and ideas essential to the study of the History of Art, such as formal and contextual analysis, by studying paintings, sculptures, buildings and objects by well-known and less well-known artists. Designed to critically engage with the aesthetic and cultural conditions that laid the foundations of Western European art, this course will begin with the early Gothic period and conclude with Post Impressionism. By the end of the course, you should be able to analyse images from a formal perspective, recognise and describe the main areas studied, and analyse art within its historical context, its iconography, and social trends. As well as gaining knowledge of the fundamentals of the History of Art you will gain skills useful in studying any Arts or Social Science subject at university Level 1
Please note, that there will be two in-person gallery visits in Glasgow as part of the course and will take place on the following dates.
First visit: week 7 (31st of October 2024)
Second visit: week 17 (20th of February 2025)
These visits will be at the usual class time and the venues will be confirmed nearer the time.
Course assessments
- Two essays (1500 words each, and individually account for 40% of the final grade)
- Small group online discussion - compare and contrast artworks (20%) this is conducted asynchronously online via a discussion forum over the period of a week.
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Medieval History
From the discovery of Richard III’s skeleton in 2012 and HBO’s Game of Thrones to the Netflix series The Witcher, images of our medieval past are experiencing something of a media ‘renaissance’. Are you interested in Charlemagne the Father of Europe or chivalric knights? In the Inquisition or the Crusades? In peasant rebellions or the development of parliaments? In Chaucer or Giotto? This course offers a wide-ranging look at historical events and debates from Western Europe 500-1450. The themes of Power, Piety, People & Performance will be examined through four geographical and conceptual areas: Empires, Royal & Ideological States and European Movements.
Course assessments
- Two essays (1500 words each, and individually account for 40% of the final grade)
- 750-word Source analysis – (20% of final grade)
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Philosophy
This course introduces students to philosophy and prepares them for full-time study of philosophy at undergraduate level. The course has three modules. (1) Logic and reason teaches students how to reason clearly and methodically about any subject matter using the tools and techniques of classical logic. (2) Mind and matter applies the methods taught in Logic and reason to foundational questions in the philosophy of mind and cognitive science concerning whether human minds are souls, brains, or computational programs. (3) Right and wrong applies the methods taught in Logic and reason to foundational questions in moral philosophy concerning whether anything can be objectively right or wrong, and if so what might exactly make something right or wrong.
Course assessments
- Two essays (1500 words each, and individually account for 40% of the final grade)
- Argument reconstruction and logic exercise – (20% of final grade)
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Politics
This course offers an introduction to the academic study of politics. Politics is about power, institutions, the nature of society and, of course, people. Any society has to balance the needs of the individual with the greater group. It is the competition for power between organisations and people that both shape our society and impact on our daily lives. As part of the preparation for full time studies in politics, this course will provide an initial introduction to the concepts and language of the subject. We will also consider the specific structure and operation of institutions and electoral systems in the contemporary world, focusing specifically on the UK and the USA.
Course assessments
- Two essays (1500 words each, and individually account for 40% of the final grade)
- Online Group debate – close reading exercise (20% of final grade) this is conducted asynchronously online via a discussion forum where students contribute and respond to each other over a 2-week period
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Psychology
Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behaviour. Consisting of several subfields, such as social psychology, cognitive psychology and developmental psychology, the study of psychology crosses traditional boundaries of science and social science. This course introduces students to the science of psychology, covering the scientific methods used in the discipline (with practical lab report writing and data analysis sessions), as well as introducing key topics and theories within a variety of subfields of psychology.
As well as gaining knowledge of the fundamentals of psychology and data analysis, you will gain skills useful in studying within the sciences and social sciences at university Level 1.
Course assessments
- 1500-word essay (40%)
- 2000-word lab report (40%)
- 15-minute group presentation (20%).
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Scottish History
This course considers the history of Scotland between 1603 and 1715, charting the kingdom’s key political, social, cultural, and economic changes during this turbulent period. Topics will include the Scottish ‘witch-hunts’, the mid-seventeenth century civil wars, the Anglo-Scottish Union of 1707, and the 1715 Jacobite Rebellion. Particular attention will be given to how these national events impacted Scots in Glasgow at a local level. Participants will be encouraged to consider distinctions between cultural myth and historical interpretation and to develop the critical thinking and skills required for undergraduate study.
Course assessments
- Two essays (1500 words each, and individually account for 40% of the final grade)
- 750-word Source analysis – (20% of final gra
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Social and Economic History
This course examines the social and economic history of Britain between 1830 and 1980. The course focuses on the changes that shaped British society during this period and explores the key social, economic, and political drivers of this change. It examines the effects of these changes on society but places particular emphasis on gender and class relationships.
Topics explored throughout this course include: industrialisation, family, leisure and consumerism, the British Empire, the rise of the welfare state, and the social and economic effects of two world wars.
Offering an introduction to the academic discipline of social and economic history; it will serve as an introduction to first-year studies in the subject, but will also be useful to students with a wider interest in history and/or the social sciences.
Course assessments
- Two essays (1500 words each, and individually account for 40% of the final grade)
- 750-word Source analysis – (20% of final grade)
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Sociology
Sociology is a way of seeing. It offers a vantage point from which to look at different aspects of social life; equality, education, the media, health, employment, crime, art and culture. These issues and many more have provided sociologists with their material for study and analysis. This course introduces students to the key ideas, methods and themes of Sociology by looking at the development of the subject through core topics such as equality, culture and societal structures. Enabling students to develop skills and knowledge for University Level 1 study.
Course assessments
- Two essays (1500 words each, and individually account for 40% of the final grade)
- Glossary of terms/methods, 800 words (20%) of the final grade.
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Theology & Religious Studies
Religion has been a cornerstone of human societies and cultures for millennia, and this course is designed to introduce students to the academic study of theology, religion, and sacred texts. The course provides students with the opportunity to study key dimensions of the Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Texts from the Christian Bible will also be studied, and their historical impact assessed. Looking beyond the Abrahamic religions, you will learn about the Asian traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism. Students will also be introduced to the philosophy of religion, which uses reasoned argument to investigate religious claims, while trying to answer perennial questions about the origins and meaning of our existence. The critical skills developed on this course make it an excellent foundation for the academic study of subjects across the Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences.
Course Assessments
Two essays (1500 words each, and individually account for 40% of the final grade)
One source analysis (500 words): worth 20% of the final grade.
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Science Subjects 2024-25
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Archaeology
Archaeology is the study of the material remains of past cultures and offers students fascinating insights into the lives and experiences of others through the artefacts they created and used, and the physical spaces they occupied. This course focuses on the archaeology of Scotland and will cover topics such as Viking Scotland and Bronze and Iron Age Europe. You will also be introduced to the key skills needed in interpreting the material record that will lay strong foundations for further study, either in the College of Arts or the College of Social Sciences.
Please note, there will be two in-person labs in Glasgow as part of the course, these will take place on the following dates, and at the usual class time. You will be notified of the room location at the start of the course.
First Lab: 28th of November 2024
Second Lab: 13th of February 2025
These labs will be at the usual class time and will take place in the Archaeology Department labs at the University of Glasgow.
Course assessments
- Essay, 1500 words (40%) of the final grade
- Report or artefact analysis, 1500 words (40%) of the final grade
- Contribution to asynchronous online group discussion (20%) of the final grade
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Biology
Biology offers an understanding of the natural world around us and is a core subject for anyone interested in pursuing study in the life sciences. This course introduces students to the key ideas and methods of biology, covering topics such as: evolution and biodiversity; cellular structure, function and respiration; photosynthesis; the cardiovascular system; and human physiology including infection and immunity.
You will complete two in-person lab sessions as part of this course, gaining practical experience of e.g. lungs or heart dissection, while working towards the lab report assessment. In person labs will take place on the following dates:
Lab 1: Tuesday class- 5/11/24 . Wednesday class- 6/11/24
Lab 2: Tuesday class- 12/11/24 . Wednesday class- 13/11/24
As well as gaining knowledge of the fundamentals of biology, you will gain skills useful in studying within any science subject at university Level 1.
Course assessments
The course will be assessed across four equally weighted assessments:
- a scientific poster;
- a 1250-word lab report;
- a 10-minute presentation
- a 30-minute timed set exercise.
Please note you should complete pre-Access revision for this course and be prepared for this level of study.
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Chemistry
Chemistry, as the ‘central science’, offers a basis to better understand the physical world around you and is a core subject for progression to nursing as well as several other science degrees. This course introduces students to the fundamental concepts and themes within chemistry, spanning topics such as periodicity, bonding, polymers, thermodynamics and redox. You will learn how to construct chemical formulae and equations. You will complete in-person lab sessions within this course, gaining hands on practical experience and presenting your experimental results through the associated lab report. Lab dates are as follows:
Lab 1: Monday class- 03/02/25 . Thursday class- 06/02/25
Lab 2: Monday class- 10/02/25 . Thursday class- 13/11/25
You will also learn to research, review and communicate scientific literature. As well as gaining fundamental knowledge of chemistry, you will gain many transferable skills useful in studying within any science subject at university Level 1.
Course assessments
The course will be assessed across four equally weighted assessments:
- a scientific poster
- a 1250-word lab report
- two 30-minute timed set exercises.
Please note you should complete pre-Access revision for this course and be prepared for this level of study. N5/GCSE level chemistry and maths would be an appropriate starting point. Access Chemistry is a quantitative subject and as such, a solid numerical skillset, including a grasp of basic algebra, is required.
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Geology
Geology is a branch of Earth Science concerned with the physical structure and substance of the Earth, its evolution, and the Earth processes (for example earthquakes, floods, and volcanic eruptions). This course introduces students to the key ideas and methods of geology through exploring four themes: planet earth and its history; earth processes and geohazards; the geology of Scotland; and evolution of life, climates and environments.
You will complete two in-person lab sessions as part of this course, gaining practical experience in this highly physical science. Lab dates are as follows:
Lab 1: 21/11/24
Lab 2: 28/11/24
As well as gaining knowledge of the fundamentals of geology, you will gain skills useful in studying within the sciences at university Level 1.
Course assessments
The course is assessed across four assessments:
- a 1500-word essay (40%)
- 750-word report (20%)
- two 30-minute timed set exercises (20% each).
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Mathematics
Mathematics is useful in a wide range of professional contexts and disciplines and is fundamental to further study in the sciences, psychology and economics. This course introduces students to core topics in maths including functions, quadratic graphs, trigonometry, differentiation, integration, series, vectors and complex numbers. As well as gaining knowledge of the fundamentals of maths, you will gain skills useful in studying within any science subject at university Level 1.
Course assessments
The course will be assessed through five 30-minute class ‘topic’ tests taken throughout the year (the best four out of five contributing to 70% of your final grade) and one 60-minute, end-of-year summary test (weighted 30%).
Please note you should complete pre-Access revision for this course and be prepared for this level of study.
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Physics
Physics offers a foundation for many other sciences, including chemistry, engineering, astronomy and seismology, whilst developing your analytical skills. This course introduces students to the key ideas and methods of physics, covering topics such as motion, energy, electromagnetism, and optics. You will also learn how to solve real word physics problems by carrying out algebraic, trigonometric and numerical operations.
You will complete two in-person lab sessions as part of this course, gaining practical experience while working towards the lab report assessment. Lab dates are as follows:
Lab 1: Wednesday class- 6/11/24. Thursday class 7/11/24.
Lab 2: Wednesday class- 13/11/24. Thursday class 14/11/24.
As well as gaining knowledge of the fundamentals of physics, you will gain skills useful in studying within any science subject at university Level 1.
Course assessments
The course will be assessed across four equally weighted assessments: a 1250-word lab report; a 10-minute presentation and two 30-minute timed set exercises.
Please note you should complete pre-Access revision for this course (both in maths and physics) and be prepared for this level of study.
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Psychology
Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behaviour. Consisting of several subfields, such as social psychology, cognitive psychology and developmental psychology, the study of psychology crosses traditional boundaries of science and social science. This course introduces students to the science of psychology, covering the scientific methods used in the discipline (with practical lab report writing and data analysis sessions), as well as introducing key topics and theories within a variety of subfields of psychology.
As well as gaining knowledge of the fundamentals of psychology and data analysis, you will gain skills useful in studying within the sciences and social sciences at university Level 1.
Course assessments
The course is assessed across three assessments: a 1500-word essay (40%), a 2000-word lab report (40%) and a 15-minute group presentation (20%).
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