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Access to Higher Education Diploma (Social Science) - Psychology and Sociology Pathway.

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  • Accreditation by Skills & Education Group Access
  • 100% online learning
  • 18 units
  • 600 notional learning hours

Access to Higher Education Diploma (Social Science) - Psychology and Sociology Pathway

This Course at a Glance

  • Explore key psychological and sociological theories
  • Kick-start your path towards an exciting career
  • Achieve a nationally recognised qualification
  • Get to university without A Levels
  • 100% online
  • No exams

About Your Diploma

Psychology and sociology allow you to better understand not only the society in which you are a part of but also what motivates individuals to take the action they do, whether that’s to help or hinder the wider society.

This Access to Higher Education Diploma (Social Science) – Psychology and Sociology focuses on key areas of psychology, delving into cognitive and abnormal psychology, as well as the brain’s nervous system.

On the sociological side, you will cover crime, poverty, health, and discrimination, exploring the ways in which they affect societal structures. You will gain extensive knowledge in these two disciplines, helping you understand the relationship between the two.

As well as developing a foundational knowledge of these topics, you will also be able to include your Access to Higher Education Diploma (Social Science) – Psychology and Sociology in university applications. This is because they are widely accepted by most higher education establishments.

An Access to HE Diploma is considered to be the equivalent of 3 A Levels, so if you are without traditional qualifications, this form of study is ideal for you. While most universities accept this nationally recognised Level 3 Diploma, you should check with your chosen establishment before applying.

As part of your studies, you will also learn various study skills and techniques on how to pen assignments. This is because Access to Higher Education Diplomas are also designed to prepare you for degree-level learning.

Getting Started

This course will give you the opportunity to develop a comprehensive understanding of psychology and sociology, preparing you for further studies. This course will open up learning opportunities across a number of areas.

As soon as you enrol, you will be given 24/7 access to all of your course materials via our innovative learning platform. You will also be issued with an Individual Learning Plan, which details the submission deadlines of your assignments, helping you keep on track.

You will have two years to achieve your Access to Higher Education Diploma (Social Science) – Psychology and Sociology, but most Stonebridge Associated Colleges students complete the course on average of 9-12 months.

On successful completion of the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Social Science) - Psychology and Sociology Pathway, (QAA ref = 40014721), you will receive a Skills & Education Group Access, QAA recognised, Access to Higher Education Diploma at Level 3. As part of your programme, you will also receive help as well as guidance on your university application and the research you need to do to get the most out of your diploma.

An access validating agency with a strong social purpose to recognise achievement, particularly for those who have benefited least from their previous educational experiences, Skills and Education Group Access supports the needs of learners, providers, businesses and communities.

You must hold Level 2 qualifications in both English and Maths, or be working towards them alongside studying your Access to Higher Education Diploma. You also need to have a UK address to enrol.

University Entry Criteria

It must be reiterated that each university will set its own admission criteria. So, you must check with your desired institution if your Access to HE Diploma and other qualifications will be accepted.

In many cases, to get started on healthcare courses at university, you will need:

  • A certain number of credits passed with a merit or a distinction grade
  • A face-to-face interview at the university
  • Literacy and numeracy assessments provided by the university
  • Course-related work placements or work experience
  • GCSE Grade C/4 or above in Maths and English (or equivalent Level 2 such as Functional Skills/Key Skills, etc.)

It is your responsibility to check that your Access to HE Diploma will be accepted as part of these entry requirements for your chosen degree. learndirect will not be held accountable if completing this Access to Higher Education Diploma doesn’t secure you a position with a higher education institution.

Minimum age restriction

This course is ideally suited to those who have completed full-time education but have not achieved the grades required to get into university.

Average completion timeframe

The average time it takes our learners to complete the course is 9-12 months.

Assessment requirements

A range of assessment methodologies are used, including: academic report, essay, case study analysis, academic poster, timed test, journal article, experiment, portfolio, presentation (video and audio recording), academic writing skills tasks

Exams required

There are no exams included in the assessment of the course.

Membership required?

No membership is required to enrol on this course.

Additional requirements

Learners must be actively studying for a minimum of six months before results can be ratified and certificates ordered. The six month period does not start until you have passed unit 2 of your course and you must be submitting assignments regularly (in line with the deadlines in your Individual Learning Plan) to meet this six month requirement. Certificates can only be issued once your course is paid for in full.

Certification Timeframe

You can expect to receive your certificate 12-16 weeks from your final assignment being marked and graded, depending on the time of year. You will be provided with regular updates throughout the certification process so that you are fully informed of your individual timeframes.

All course fees, inclusive of all payment plans including our Premium Credit Limited option, must be settled before certification can be ordered.

*You will have access to the course for 24 months.

Unit 1: Studying the Brain and Nervous System

On completion of this unit you will:

  • Understand the structure and function of nervous system including key areas of the brain.
  • Understand the structure and function of glial cells and neurons.

Unit 2: Impact of Criminal Statistics in Criminal Justice

On completion of this unit you will:

  • Understand how different crime statistics are sourced in the UK.
  • Understand the reliability of criminal statistics on the understanding of crime.
  • Understand factors that cannot be measured within criminal statistics.

Unit 3: Biological and Psychological approaches to Stress

On completion of this unit you will:

  • Understand potential physiological and psychological stress responses.
  • Understand research into the link between stress and illness.
  • Understand an example of psychological and biological stress reduction strategies.

Unit 4: Introduction to Abnormality and Psychological Disorders

On completion of this unit you will:

  • Understand the challenge of defining and diagnosing mental illness.
  • Understand a range of explanations for a chosen psychological disorder.
  • Understand the treatment of one psychological disorder.

Unit 5: Models, Research and Application of Cognitive Psychology

On completion of this unit you will:

  • Understand contrasting psychological perspectives and research evidence in one area of cognition.
  • Be able to apply psychological research to real life.

Unit 6: Early Foundations of Social Policy

On completion of this unit you will:

  • Understand the historical origins of social policy in the U.K.
  • Understand the key influences on social policy in the 19th and 20th Centuries.
  • Understand changes in the political order.
  • Understand the role of poverty surveys in the development of social policy in the UK.

Unit 7: Foundations of the Welfare State

On completion of this unit you will:

  • Understand what is meant by the term Welfare State.
  • Understand the purpose of the 1834 Poor Law Amendment Act and its effects on society.
  • Understand early twentieth century Liberal Reforms and their effect on society.
  • Understand the social problems which the Welfare State attempted to address.
  • Understand the significance of the Beveridge Report.

Unit 8: Modern Social Policy in Context

On completion of this unit you will:

  • Understand the current issues in social policy today.
  • Understand how legislation can affect social policy.
  • Be able to analyse social policy in the context of economics.

Unit 9: Responding to Prejudice and Discrimination

On completion of this unit you will:

  • Understand theories for prejudice and discrimination.
  • Understand legal responses to discrimination and prejudice.
  • Understand community initiatives in overcoming discrimination and prejudice.

Unit 10: A Sociological Perspective of the Mass Media

On completion of this unit you will:

  • Understand power, ownership, and control of the mass media.
  • Understand sociological perspectives of role of the mass media.
  • Understand the concept of news as a social construct.
  • Understand how the media presents stereotypes.

Unit 11: Concepts of Health and ill Health

On completion of this unit you will:

  • Understand a range of concepts and models of health.
  • Understand societal influences on definitions of health and ill health and links to social inequality.
  • Understand alternative approaches to healthcare.

Unit 12: Defining, Measuring and Explaining Poverty

On completion of this unit you will:

  • Understand different definitions of poverty.
  • Understand poverty measurement methods.
  • Understand the extent of poverty in the UK today.
  • Understand different sociological explanations of poverty.

Unit 13: Education in Contemporary Society

On completion of this unit you will:

  • Understand the importance of education in socialisation of pupils.
  • Understand the role of education in modern society.
  • Understand the impact of labelling and stereotypes in education.
  • Understand the meritocratic view of education in contemporary society.

Unit 14: Family Structure and Changes

On completion of this unit you will:

  • Understand changes in family.
  • Understand a range of sociological explanations of the family.

Unit 15: Exploring Theories of Crime and Deviancy

On completion of this unit you will:

  • Be able explain of crime and deviance from a range of viewpoints.
  • Understand the social structural theoretical basis of crime and deviance.
  • Understand the media’s influence on perceptions of crime or deviance.

Unit 16: Resilience, Stress and Managing Emotions

On completion of this unit you will:

  • Understand resilience and mental wellbeing including threats and strategies.
  • Understand the management of emotions and feelings and the impact of stress.

Unit 17: Exploring an Introduction to Psychological Research and Approaches

On completion of this unit you will:

  • Understand scientific research methods in the field of psychology.
  • Understand different psychological approaches to explaining behaviour.
  • Understand ethical issues connected with psychological research.

Unit 18: Planning and Writing an Assignment

On completion of this unit you will:

  • Be able to select and assess appropriate source information in response to a task.
  • Be able to reference sources used in a recognised style.
  • Understand different reading strategies.
  • Be able to take effective notes.
  • Be able to plan, draft and produce a written assignment.

Unit 19: Writing and Studying Academic Texts

On completion of this unit you will:

  • Be able to write academically and with relevance.
  • Be able to interpret and express ideas in a piece of academic work.
  • Be able to analyse and summarise text, and appreciate the problems caused by plagiarism.

 

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)
OUR PASS RATE
Access to Higher Education Diplomas
83%
(National Average 77.1%)
Access to Higher Education Diploma (Social Science) - Psychology and Sociology Pathway

This Course at a Glance

  • Explore key psychological and sociological theories
  • Kick-start your path towards an exciting career
  • Achieve a nationally recognised qualification
  • Get to university without A Levels
  • 100% online
  • No exams

About Your Diploma

Psychology and sociology allow you to better understand not only the society in which you are a part of but also what motivates individuals to take the action they do, whether that’s to help or hinder the wider society.

This Access to Higher Education Diploma (Social Science) – Psychology and Sociology focuses on key areas of psychology, delving into cognitive and abnormal psychology, as well as the brain’s nervous system.

On the sociological side, you will cover crime, poverty, health, and discrimination, exploring the ways in which they affect societal structures. You will gain extensive knowledge in these two disciplines, helping you understand the relationship between the two.

As well as developing a foundational knowledge of these topics, you will also be able to include your Access to Higher Education Diploma (Social Science) – Psychology and Sociology in university applications. This is because they are widely accepted by most higher education establishments.

An Access to HE Diploma is considered to be the equivalent of 3 A Levels, so if you are without traditional qualifications, this form of study is ideal for you. While most universities accept this nationally recognised Level 3 Diploma, you should check with your chosen establishment before applying.

As part of your studies, you will also learn various study skills and techniques on how to pen assignments. This is because Access to Higher Education Diplomas are also designed to prepare you for degree-level learning.

Getting Started

This course will give you the opportunity to develop a comprehensive understanding of psychology and sociology, preparing you for further studies. This course will open up learning opportunities across a number of areas.

As soon as you enrol, you will be given 24/7 access to all of your course materials via our innovative learning platform. You will also be issued with an Individual Learning Plan, which details the submission deadlines of your assignments, helping you keep on track.

You will have two years to achieve your Access to Higher Education Diploma (Social Science) – Psychology and Sociology, but most Stonebridge Associated Colleges students complete the course on average of 9-12 months.

Access to Higher Education Diplomas
OUR PASS RATE
(National Average 77.1%)
83%

On successful completion of the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Social Science) - Psychology and Sociology Pathway, (QAA ref = 40014721), you will receive a Skills & Education Group Access, QAA recognised, Access to Higher Education Diploma at Level 3. As part of your programme, you will also receive help as well as guidance on your university application and the research you need to do to get the most out of your diploma.

An access validating agency with a strong social purpose to recognise achievement, particularly for those who have benefited least from their previous educational experiences, Skills and Education Group Access supports the needs of learners, providers, businesses and communities.

Unit 1: Studying the Brain and Nervous System

On completion of this unit you will:

  • Understand the structure and function of nervous system including key areas of the brain.
  • Understand the structure and function of glial cells and neurons.

Unit 2: Impact of Criminal Statistics in Criminal Justice

On completion of this unit you will:

  • Understand how different crime statistics are sourced in the UK.
  • Understand the reliability of criminal statistics on the understanding of crime.
  • Understand factors that cannot be measured within criminal statistics.

Unit 3: Biological and Psychological approaches to Stress

On completion of this unit you will:

  • Understand potential physiological and psychological stress responses.
  • Understand research into the link between stress and illness.
  • Understand an example of psychological and biological stress reduction strategies.

Unit 4: Introduction to Abnormality and Psychological Disorders

On completion of this unit you will:

  • Understand the challenge of defining and diagnosing mental illness.
  • Understand a range of explanations for a chosen psychological disorder.
  • Understand the treatment of one psychological disorder.

Unit 5: Models, Research and Application of Cognitive Psychology

On completion of this unit you will:

  • Understand contrasting psychological perspectives and research evidence in one area of cognition.
  • Be able to apply psychological research to real life.

Unit 6: Early Foundations of Social Policy

On completion of this unit you will:

  • Understand the historical origins of social policy in the U.K.
  • Understand the key influences on social policy in the 19th and 20th Centuries.
  • Understand changes in the political order.
  • Understand the role of poverty surveys in the development of social policy in the UK.

Unit 7: Foundations of the Welfare State

On completion of this unit you will:

  • Understand what is meant by the term Welfare State.
  • Understand the purpose of the 1834 Poor Law Amendment Act and its effects on society.
  • Understand early twentieth century Liberal Reforms and their effect on society.
  • Understand the social problems which the Welfare State attempted to address.
  • Understand the significance of the Beveridge Report.

Unit 8: Modern Social Policy in Context

On completion of this unit you will:

  • Understand the current issues in social policy today.
  • Understand how legislation can affect social policy.
  • Be able to analyse social policy in the context of economics.

Unit 9: Responding to Prejudice and Discrimination

On completion of this unit you will:

  • Understand theories for prejudice and discrimination.
  • Understand legal responses to discrimination and prejudice.
  • Understand community initiatives in overcoming discrimination and prejudice.

Unit 10: A Sociological Perspective of the Mass Media

On completion of this unit you will:

  • Understand power, ownership, and control of the mass media.
  • Understand sociological perspectives of role of the mass media.
  • Understand the concept of news as a social construct.
  • Understand how the media presents stereotypes.

Unit 11: Concepts of Health and ill Health

On completion of this unit you will:

  • Understand a range of concepts and models of health.
  • Understand societal influences on definitions of health and ill health and links to social inequality.
  • Understand alternative approaches to healthcare.

Unit 12: Defining, Measuring and Explaining Poverty

On completion of this unit you will:

  • Understand different definitions of poverty.
  • Understand poverty measurement methods.
  • Understand the extent of poverty in the UK today.
  • Understand different sociological explanations of poverty.

Unit 13: Education in Contemporary Society

On completion of this unit you will:

  • Understand the importance of education in socialisation of pupils.
  • Understand the role of education in modern society.
  • Understand the impact of labelling and stereotypes in education.
  • Understand the meritocratic view of education in contemporary society.

Unit 14: Family Structure and Changes

On completion of this unit you will:

  • Understand changes in family.
  • Understand a range of sociological explanations of the family.

Unit 15: Exploring Theories of Crime and Deviancy

On completion of this unit you will:

  • Be able explain of crime and deviance from a range of viewpoints.
  • Understand the social structural theoretical basis of crime and deviance.
  • Understand the media’s influence on perceptions of crime or deviance.

Unit 16: Resilience, Stress and Managing Emotions

On completion of this unit you will:

  • Understand resilience and mental wellbeing including threats and strategies.
  • Understand the management of emotions and feelings and the impact of stress.

Unit 17: Exploring an Introduction to Psychological Research and Approaches

On completion of this unit you will:

  • Understand scientific research methods in the field of psychology.
  • Understand different psychological approaches to explaining behaviour.
  • Understand ethical issues connected with psychological research.

Unit 18: Planning and Writing an Assignment

On completion of this unit you will:

  • Be able to select and assess appropriate source information in response to a task.
  • Be able to reference sources used in a recognised style.
  • Understand different reading strategies.
  • Be able to take effective notes.
  • Be able to plan, draft and produce a written assignment.

Unit 19: Writing and Studying Academic Texts

On completion of this unit you will:

  • Be able to write academically and with relevance.
  • Be able to interpret and express ideas in a piece of academic work.
  • Be able to analyse and summarise text, and appreciate the problems caused by plagiarism.

 

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)
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