Access to HE Diploma (Environmental Studies)

Units

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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Provider approval criteria

Learners will need access to computers and to laboratory facilities.

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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

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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.

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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.

Access to HE Quick Guides

Information for Access Centres

Access to HE Administration

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:

• Assignment Brief – Preparation for Higher Education – QU007638
• Assignment Brief – Safeguarding Children Young People and-or Vulnerable Adults – QU025409

Log in to Prism to download more assignment briefs