02 Mar 2021
Key Facts
Qualification Summary
The Diploma allows learners to undertake study related to environmental issues. Learners
will have the opportunity to develop skills which will enable progression to a range of degree level programmes including a focus on maths and science which underpin environmental studies degrees. Learners will complete units which consider the impact of pollution on the environment, how humans impact on the environment, the links between ecology and the environment, conservation techniques and how construction techniques can support sustainability. Learners will be able to explore different career paths within the sector. The range of optional units will allow learners to pursue a specific element within the sector.
Why choose this qualification?
The units within the Access to HE Environmental Studies Diploma include a balance of environmental science and environmental studies units which allow the learners to keep their options open until they have fully decided on their preferred route at degree level. The ungraded units have been chosen to support both progression into higher education and also to allow the learners to develop skills relevant to the subject area e.g. spreadsheets and problem solving.
Units
Learners must achieve 24 credits from this group.
Conservation
Ecology and Environment
Environment and Human Impact
Environmental Pollution
Introduction to Chemistry
Mathematics for Science
Practical Skills for Environmental Science
Research: Practical Investigation Project
Understanding water pollution control and management
Learners must achieve 21 credits from this group.
Careers within Environmental Science
Climate Change
Ecological Surveying Techniques
Environmental Law
Environmental Management in Organisations
Plant and Soil Science
Quantitative Methods - Statistics
Rocks and Rock Formation
Sustainability and Waste Management
Sustainability and the Built Environment
Learners must achieve 15 credits from this group.
Academic Writing Skills
Communication - Speaking and Listening
Preparation for Higher Education
Problem Solving in the Workplace
Promoting Wellbeing and Building Resilience
Spreadsheets
Study Skills
Intended learner groups
a) Adults who, because of social, educational or individual circumstances may have achieved few, if any, prior qualifications and wish to progress to HE
b) Adults who have gone straight into industry (perhaps following apprenticeship routes) who wish to progress to HE.
How this diploma meets learners' needs
The Diploma will provide them with underpinning skills to support academic study and provide a level 3 qualification linked to their proposed HE study. A broad range of skills will be acquired which support an understanding of environmental studies and the underpinning scientific and mathematical skills will ensure that the learner is fully prepared for progression onto the relevant degrees.
What this diploma covers
The units include a balance of environmental science and environmental studies units which allow the learners to keep their options open until they have fully decided on their preferred route at degree level. The ungraded units have been chosen to support both progression into higher education and also to allow the learners to develop skills relevant to the subject area e.g. spreadsheets and problem solving.
Delivery methods
Face to face
Blended learning
Suggested visits to building companies to allow learners to widen their understanding of sustainability or classroom and field visits with people involved in conservation and ecological issues such as fishermen, resource managers and scientists.
Work placements would also be beneficial and the use of laboratories must be used to produce the evidence for some of the practical based units.
Assessment Methods include: Essays, projects, presentations, self-evaluation, group discussions, exams/tests, reports, business analysis techniques e.g. PESTLE analysis, case studies, short answer questions, worksheets, production and analysis of complex spreadsheets, data analysis, practical projects.
Successful completion criteria
Learners may require a pass in a science subject alongside maths and English at GCSE level to progress onto a degree course.Progression routes
Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies
Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Science
Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Sustainability Studies
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science(s)
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and Policy
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies
Bachelor of Science in Sustainability
Provider approval criteria
Learners will need access to computers and to laboratory facilities.
Funding information
There are now two main sources for funding information, a straightforward ESFA Qualification Search and the more detailed Find a Learning Aim website.
The new Find a learning aim (FALA) service provides a search tool that you can use to check the funding status of any qualification, framework, unit, standard or T Level:
View this qualification on the ESFA’s Find a learning aim website
The Education and Skills Funding Agency search provides funding information on qualifications. It does not provide funding information for units, non-regulated activity and work placements, for this information please use Find a learning aim (FALA).
View this qualification on the ESFA Qualification Funding Search
How to find a learning aim
If you’re not sure how to use the new find a learning aim website, we’ve created a handy walkthrough to help you:
How to Use: Find a learning Aim
Additional funding information for Access to HE
- Access to HE is eligible for funding as part of the legal entitlement offer.
- Access to HE is eligible for funding via Advanced Learner Loans and appears on the Advanced Learner Loans catalogues published by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA).
- Access to HE Diplomas are designed for adult learners aged 19+ and the ESFA only funds young people on these programmes by exception, as stated in paragraph 149, page 39 of the Funding guidance for young people 2020 to 2021.
We have done our best to collate and summarise the key information, and wherever possible we alert our providers to changes in funding policy.
This funding information is provided in good faith and it is always advisable to check directly with the funding agencies before committing to delivery.
The following support materials will help you deliver this qualification.
Information for Access Centres
Assignment briefs
Centres approved to deliver our Access to HE Diplomas can download assignment briefs for a selection of units in this Diploma. Assignment briefs can be downloaded by logging to Prism and locating the relevant unit. More assignment briefs are being added not all units currently have assignment briefs available.
The assignment briefs can be easily adapted to suit your needs. We recommend checking the rules of combination for the Diploma and adapting the brief accordingly.
To provide a flavour of what’s available, you can download the below samples for free: