Access to Higher Education Diploma (Midwifery)
Everyday Midwives perform the extraordinary job of bringing new life into the world. They regularly develop meaningful relationships with expectant mothers and fathers and provide comfort and reassurance to people when they need it most. If this sounds like something you could do then this Diploma could be the perfect option for you.
If you dream of becoming a Midwife, the Access to HE Diploma (Midwifery) will equip you with all the knowledge you need to apply for a course at degree level. Whilst preparing students for the challenges of academia, this Access to Higher Education Diploma will also help students build a foundation of knowledge in everything from Biology to Health Studies and Psychology.
Life is unpredictable, and circumstances change, which is why you may not want to wait until September to enrol on an Access to HE Diploma. If you want to study you can start right away, or at another time that is convenient for you. The Access to Higher Education Diploma (Midwifery) has been specifically designed to suit people who have been out of the formal education system for a while. Because there are no classes to attend, individuals with family and work commitments can still fulfil their career ambitions by fitting their studies around their schedule. 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 does an online Access to HE Diploma (Midwifery) 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 to plan their time effectively.
How will my Access to HE Diploma (Midwifery) be assessed?
The Access to HE Diploma (Midwifery) 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 (Midwifery) 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 I complete my Access to Higher Education Diploma (Midwifery)?
Once you have completed your Diploma, you will be able to progress to an undergraduate degree course. After successfully completing your university degree, you will be able to start working as a fully qualified Midwife.
A practicing Midwife has plenty of opportunities available to them. These include:
- Working for the NHS
- Working in private practice
- Working overseas
- Transferring into a different area of healthcare
Qualification: Open College Network West Midlands Access to Higher Education Diploma (Midwifery)
On successful completion of the Open College Network West Midlands Access to Higher Education Diploma (Midwifery) you will receive a QAA recognised Access to HE Diploma at level 3 (QAA ref:40006669). 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 Midwifery 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 Reproduction, Growth & Development
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand the human reproductive system, in particular its structure and function.
- Understand how the reproductive system is regulated by hormones throughout life.
- Understand the sequence of events starting from conception through to childbirth.
Unit 7: The Role of the Midwife in Antenatal Care
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand the roles and responsibilities of the midwife within the antenatal period.
- Understand the role of the Nursing and Midwifery Council in midwifery regulation concerning the antenatal period.
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: 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 10: The Role of the Midwife in Intrapartum Care
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand the roles and responsibilities of the midwife concerning the intrapartum period.
- Understand the role of the Nursing and Midwifery Council in midwifery regulation concerning the intrapartum period.
Unit 11: 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 12: 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 13: The Role of the Midwife in Postnatal Care
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand the roles and responsibilities of the midwife concerning the postnatal period.
- Understand the role of the Nursing and Midwifery Council in midwifery regulation concerning the postnatal period.
Unit 14: Human Immunity
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand non-specific defences against disease.
- Understand specific immunity.
- Understand the biology of vaccination.
Unit 15: 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 16: Cell Division and Heredity (Health)
On completion of this unit you will:
- Demonstrate a knowledge of cell division.
- Demonstrate an understanding of heredity.
- Demonstrate an understanding of mutation and variation.
Unit 17: 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 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.
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.
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 £96.00).
