Access to Higher Education Diploma (Health Professionals)
The Access to HE Diploma (Health Professionals) is very popular and an established route into a Health related degree at university. This is because the healthcare sector offers a diverse range of challenging and exciting career paths for students to choose from. This qualification’s universal content allows students the flexibility to decide which specialism they want to pursue at university.
This Access to Higher Education (Health Professionals) has been created as an alternative to A Levels. In the UK, many universities will accept applications from students who hold, or are studying towards, an Access to HE Diploma. Most Health related degree programmes will also require a minimum of grade C in GCSE English and maths.
As this Access to HE Diploma is studied via online distance learning, it is perfect for learners who have been out of education for an extended period and have other time constraints. What’s more, our students can begin working on their Access to HE Diploma from the moment of enrolment, whether that is in September or at any other point during the year.
How does my Access to HE Diploma (Health Professionals) work?
Once you have enrolled on your Access to HE Diploma, the rest of the process is pretty self-explanatory. Every student will be provided with a comprehensive set of interactive learning materials. Everything supplied is simple to access and easy to understand. As well as this, all learners have access to our expert tutors, who are there to provide you with guidance and support throughout your studies.
As this is a distance learning programme, students will need to take full responsibility of their own study timetables. This means they will need to develop the discipline to work independently and learn how plan their time effectively. 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.
How will my Access to HE Diploma (Health Professionals) be assessed?
The Access to HE Diploma (Health Professionals) will be made up of a number of units and assignments. Once you have completed each assignment, you will submit it for marking. Your tutors will then grade your work and provide you with feedback. You should begin your next assignment by drawing on the feedback from the previous units.
The Access to Higher Education Diploma is a nationally recognised Level 3 qualification that is fully regulated by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA). In order to achieve this diploma, you must achieve 60 credits in total. You should note that 45 of these credits are taken from graded units which are focused on the different subject areas. The remaining 15 credits are from ungraded units which are included to help you develop your academic writing and study skills.
What happens after my Access to HE Diploma?
After successfully completing this Access to HE Diploma (Health Professionals), you’ll have a good understanding of the healthcare sector and be ready to progress to undergraduate study at university. Once you have chosen and completed your degree programme, you will be ready to begin your chosen career. Many Health graduates go on to work in the NHS or even private practice. Careers open to Health graduates include:
- Physiotherapy
- Operating Department Practice
- Speech and Language Therapy
- Paramedicine
- Social Work
Qualification: Open College Network West Midlands Access to Higher Education Diploma (Health Professionals)
On successful completion of the Open College Network West Midlands Access to Higher Education Diploma (Health Professionals) you will receive a QAA recognised Access to HE Diploma at level 3 (QAA ref: 4000773X). 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 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 responding 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: 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 5: 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 6: Human Nutrition & 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 7: 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 8: 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 9: The Roles and Responsibilities of Healthcare Professionals
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand the changes to the roles and responsibilities of a healthcare professional.
- Understand the role of professional/regulatory bodies for a healthcare professional, for example, HCPC and the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
- Understand the current multidisciplinary approach to healthcare.
Unit 10: The Human Endocrine & Nervous System
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 11: Inequalities in Health & 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 12: The Human Musculo-skeletal System
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 13: Approaches to Health
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand the different definitions of health and ill health.
- Understand different explanatory models of health and ill health.
- Understand contrasting sociological perspectives on health.
- Understand the different ways in which people respond to illness.
Unit 14: The Brain & 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 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: Poverty & Health
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand approaches to poverty and health.
- Understand approaches to the social distribution of health chances.
Unit 17: 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.
Unit 18: 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 19: Equality and Diversity within Healthcare
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand equality and diversity within healthcare.
- Understand the rights of the individual in a healthcare setting.
- Understand the impact of equality and diversity legislation on healthcare provision.
- 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 £96.00).
