Access to Higher Education Diploma (Social Science and Health)
Do you want to make a difference in your local community, but don’t have the qualifications to start a new career? The Access to HE Diploma (Social Science and Health) is designed for anyone that has the ambition to go to university. With a focus on biology, this study pathway will meet the entry requirements of many Social Science degree courses.
Social Science is the study of society and human relationships. Making healthcare available for everyone and promoting medical services to people from all backgrounds is an ongoing challenge. Find out more about how poverty relates to health and the history of the NHS, alongside Human Biology. The Access to Higher Education Diploma (Social Science and Health) will also prepare you to make a step up to university. Discover how to write academic assignments and carry out independent research.
You’ll study online from home, which means you can fit your Access to HE Diploma around family life or work commitments.
How does my Access to HE Diploma work?
Your learning materials are simple to understand, and you can take advantage of the interactive resources within the online Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) you will be given immediate access to. Experienced tutors will be on hand to offer all of the advice and guidance you need to successfully complete your Access to Higher Education Diploma (Social Science and Health).
How long it takes you to complete your Access to HE Diploma really depends upon how much time you are able to dedicate to your studies. The programmes are designed to give you the flexibility to study at times that are suitable for you, and to fit your studies around your other commitments. You will be provided with an Individual Learning Plan that outlines the submission deadlines for your assignments to keep you on track throughout your studies. An Access to HE Diploma can be completed within two years. However, most students complete their course within 9-12 months.
Access to HE Diplomas are intensive, and you’ll need perseverance to reach your goal of going to university. With regular deadline reminders and dedicated support, our team will help keep you on track.
How will my Access to HE Diploma (Social Science and Health) be assessed?
The Access to HE Diploma is a recognised Level 3 qualification regulated by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA). The Access to Higher Education Diploma (Social Science and Health) is made up of a number of units which each has an assignment for you to complete. Your tutor will mark each assignment, before returning it with detailed feedback. In order to achieve the Access to HE Diploma (Social Science and Health) you must achieve 60 credits in total. 45 of these credits are taken from graded units which focus on the specific subject areas included in the course. The remaining 15 credits are ungraded units which are included to help you to develop your academic writing and study abilities.
What happens after the Access to HE Diploma?
Once you’ve achieved your Access to HE Diploma, you’ll have the confidence to go on to a degree programme. Social Science and Health graduates are analytical and can communicate ideas effectively, which are skills that employers
In the future, you could work for local Government or the NHS, with options including Speech and Language Therapy, and Social Care. Many graduates decide to promote health in their community, either through youth or social work. With more focus on mental health than ever before, there is also scope to go into counselling or educational roles.
Qualification: Open College Network West Midlands Access to Higher Education (Social Science and Health)
On successful completion of the Open College Network West Midlands Access to Higher Education Diploma (Social Science and Health) you will receive a QAA recognised Access to HE Diploma at level 3 (QAA ref: (40008861).This course has also been assigned 60 credits.
Requirements for Entry
Learners must have GCSE 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 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.
Open College Network West Midlands are a national Awarding Organisation, regulated by Ofqual, the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) and Qualifications Wales, to develop and award nationally recognised qualifications.
Open College Network West Midlands work in partnership with employers, training providers, colleges, universities, schools and voluntary and community organisations to offer vocational credit-based qualifications, Access to Higher Education Diplomas and quality assured Customised Accreditation that enables learners gain employment or to progress into further learning and Higher Education. They also Quality Endorse organisations internal training and skills delivery.
Unit 1: Preparing to Study
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand how study is organised and planned
- Understand how to apply theories of learning in relation to personal approaches to learning
- Understand a range of constraints upon study
- Understand the importance of assessment feedback
Unit 2: 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 reponding to a set, academic writing task
- Be able to summarise for academic purposes, selecting key points, information or central ideas
Unit 3: 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 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: 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 8: Social Factors in Health and Social Care
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand sociological factors influencing the relationships between patients and health professionals
- Understand the role of social motivational factors in health and ill health
- Understand the significance of social support networks in healthcare and maintenance
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: The Human Muscular and Skeletal Systems
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand the anatomy, organisation and function of the muscular system
- Understand the anatomy, organisation and function of the skeletal system
- Understand how the muscular system and skeletal system interact in locomotion
Unit 11: Poverty and Health
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand approaches to poverty and health
- Understand approaches to the social distribution of health chances
Unit 12: 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 system throughout life.
- Understand the sequence of events from conception to childbirth.
Unit 13: 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 14: 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 15: Human Immunity
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand non-specific defences against disease
- Understand specific immunity
- Understand the biology of vaccination.
Unit 16: Inequalities in Health and Illness
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand the importance of social, economic and environmental changes on the nature of morbidity and mortality in the UK
- Understand the relationship between theories of health and welfare inequalities and health policies
Unit 17: 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 18: 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 19: Human Disease and Prevention
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand the categories and causes of disease using infectious disease to illustrate your answer
- Understand the epidermiology of commonly occurring diseases/conditions
- Understand preventative measures for a chosen disease or condition
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)
