Access to Higher Education Diploma (Social Science and Health).

Learners must have GCSEs in both English and Maths at grade C/4 or above (or equivalent) or be working towards these qualifications. They also need to aspire to study a social science and/or health related degree at university. 

Access to Higher Education Diplomas are widely accepted as an alternative to A Levels for university entry and have a proven track record of helping students to secure a place on their chosen degree. 

Learners should, however, be aware that universities each apply their own entry requirements, and these vary broadly depending on the reputation and popularity of the university and of the degree programme that relates to your area of interest. 

These variable admission criteria may include but are not limited to: 

• Achievement of a certain amount of Access to HE Diploma units at merit or distinction 
• Successful completion of a face-to-face interview at the university 
• Successful completion of literacy and numeracy assessments by the university 
• Completion of specific unpaid work experience or a previous job role 
• Prior attainment of GCSE English and Maths at grade C/4 or above, or equivalent such as Functions Skills at Level 2 

It is vitally important that each student investigates the entry requirements of a range of universities that they could practically attend to determine if the Access to HE Diploma, and units included in the course, will meet university entry requirements. 

Students should complete this exercise as early as possible so that they can plan for which establishment they will be applying to and start to work towards it. 

Whilst we have the fullest confidence that the Access to Higher Education Diplomas are compliant and perfectly sufficient to form part of a university application, Stonebridge Associated Colleges will not be able to accept any liability for the inability of any Access to Higher Education student to secure an offer from a Higher Education establishment due to the variables involved. 

*Please note, this course is eligible for UK residents only.

*You will have access to the course for 12 months only. You can purchase course extensions.

Unit 1: Academic Writing Skills

On completion of this unit you will:

• Be able to write with relevance in responding to an academic task.
• Know how to interpret and discuss ideas and issues in responding to a set, academic writing task.
• Be able to summarise for academic purposes, selecting key points, information or central ideas. 

Unit 2: Preparing a Written Assignment  

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand how to use key information sources.
• Understand why sources are acknowledged and referenced.
• Understand a range of reading strategies.
• Understand note-making methods.
• Understand how to plan draft and produce a written assignment.

Unit 3: Health and Wellbeing 

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the relationship between resilience and mental wellbeing.
• Understand the expression of feelings and emotions and how these could be managed.
• Understand how mental wellbeing can be supported and managed.

Unit 4: Introduction to Psychology  

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the importance of research in psychology
• Understand the main approaches in psychology.
• Understand ethical issues in psychological research.

Unit 5: Understanding Crime and Deviance

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand explanations of crime and deviance.
• Understand theories of crime and deviance.
• Understand perceptions of crime and deviance

Unit 6: The History of the National Health Service

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the background to and the founding principles of the National Health Service.
• Understand how political reforms have shaped the National Health Service.

Unit 7: Cell Biology 

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the structure and organisation of cells, including stem cells.
• Understand cellular metabolism.
• Understand how cells grow and divide.

Unit 8: The Roles & Responsibilities of Health Care Professionals

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the changes to the roles and responsibilities of a chosen healthcare professional.
• Understand the role of a professional/regulatory body for a healthcare professional, for example HCPC and Nursing and Midwifery Council.
• Understand the multidisciplinary approach to healthcare.

Unit 9: Introduction to Cognitive Psychology

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand research in an area of cognitive psychology.
• Understand how the findings of research into cognitive processes can be applied to real-life issues.

Unit 10: Human Reproduction, Growth & Development

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the structure and function of the human reproductive system
• Understand how hormones regulate the reproductive tract throughout life
• Understand the sequence of events from conception to puberty

Unit 11: Sociology of Health

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand concepts and models of health.
• Understand the social construction of health and ill health
• Understand alternative approaches to health.

Unit 12: Abnormal Psychology

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the difficulties faced by psychologists in the definition and diagnosis of abnormal behaviour.
• Understand a psychological disorder.
• Understand possible treatments used to treat people with psychological disorders.

Unit 13: Human Nutrition and the Digestive System

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the structure and functions of the organs of the digestive system.
• Understand nutrients and their sources.
• Understand the components of a healthy diet and the consequences of an unhealthy diet.

Unit 14: Understanding Poverty

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand definitions of poverty.
• Understand ways of measuring poverty.
• Understand the extent of poverty in contemporary Britain
• Understand explanations of poverty

Unit 15: The Human Endocrine and Nervous Systems

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the anatomy, organisation and function of the nervous system
• Understand how the endocrine system co-ordinates body functions
• Understand the role of the nervous and endocrine systems homeostasis

Unit 16: The Brain and Nervous System (Psychology)

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the major sub divisions of the nervous system
• Understand the structure and function of glial cells and neurons

Unit 17: Classification and Use of Social Drugs and Medicines

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand why different types of social drugs are used
• Understand the classification of medicines and controlled drugs
• Understand the impact of the use of social drugs and medicines on the individual and society

Unit 18: Human Disease & Prevention  

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the categories and causes of disease using infectious disease to illustrate your answer.
• Understand the epidemiology of commonly occurring diseases/conditions.
• Understand preventative measures for a chosen disease or condition. 

Your work will be assessed through your end of unit assignments. These will provide you the opportunity to check up on your knowledge and advance. After each assignment, your tutor will offer feedback to help you not only progress further but also improve your skills. This Access to HE Diploma is a Level 3 Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) regulated qualification. To successfully achieve your qualification, you will need a total of 60 credits. Of these, 45 will come from graded units of academic content, while the following 15 will be drawn from ungraded units concerning study skills.

What's included:

• All study materials
• Study guide
• Full tutor and Admin support
• The course fee includes the awarding body registration and certification fee (valued at up to £96)