Coronavirus: Latest information for centres including Adaptations for 2021-22

Access to HE Diploma (Humanities and Social Sciences)

Key Facts

Level:
Level 3
Subject Sector:
11.2 Sociology and Social Policy
Credits:
60
Qualification No:
QAAQ002861
Price:
£140.00 per learner
Age Range:
19+
QAA aim code:
4001051X

Qualification Summary

The Diploma allows learners to undertake study related to humanities and social science topics. Learners will have the opportunity to develop skills which will enable progression to a range of degree level programmes including a focus on English language and literature, history, politics and philosophy which underpin most humanities degrees. Many learners join humanities and social science degrees after following A level study, so the Diploma will place the Access to HE learners on a level with those who have followed A level studies.

Learners will complete mandatory units which cover an introduction to history skills, English language and literature and an introduction to psychology, criminology and sociology to cover the social sciences background knowledge but then they will be able to research an area of interest to them in more depth. They will study a range of optional units covering aspects of English language and literature, key events in history and have the opportunity to investigate specific aspects of sociology, psychology, crime and law.

Ungraded units include units which will support access to higher education whilst supporting study and personal skills.

Why choose this qualification?

The diploma allows learners to undertake study related to humanities and social science topics.  Learners will have the opportunity to develop skills which will enable progression to a range of degree level programmes including a focus on English language and literature, history, politics and philosophy which underpin most humanities degrees.  Many learners join humanities and social science degrees after following A level study, so the diploma will place the Access to HE learners on a level with those who have followed A level studies.

Learners will complete mandatory units which cover an introduction to history skills, English language and literature and an introduction to psychology, criminology and sociology to cover the social sciences background knowledge but then they will be able to research an area of interest to them in more depth.  They will study a range of optional units covering aspects of English language and literature, key events in history and have the opportunity to investigate specific aspects of sociology, psychology, crime and law.

Ungraded units include units which will support access to higher education whilst supporting study and personal skills.

Rules of Combination

Learners must complete 12 credits must be taken from the mandatory group. A maximum of 6 credits must be taken from the Research optional group and 3 credits from both the Humanities and Social Sciences optional groups. The remaining 21 credits can be taken from either of the two optional groups.

Units

Graded Academic Mandatory Units

Learners must complete 12 credits must be taken from the mandatory group.

History Skills

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU014145
Click here to view full unit details

Introduction to English Language and Literature

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU025905
Click here to view full unit details

Introduction to Psychology

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU018292
Click here to view full unit details

Introduction to Sociology

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU014030
Click here to view full unit details
Graded Research Units

A maximum of 6 credits must be taken from the Research optional group.

Humanities - Research Skills

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU026350
Click here to view full unit details

Humanities Research Project - Methodology

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU026348
Click here to view full unit details

Research Skills for Social Science

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU026104
Click here to view full unit details

Social Research Methods

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU007950
Click here to view full unit details
Optional Graded Academic Units: Humanities

3 credits must be taken from the Humanities group with the remaining 21 credits taken from either of the optional graded academic groups.

English Literature - Prose Criticism

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU025888
Click here to view full unit details

Introduction to Literature: Responding to Poetry

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU026360
Click here to view full unit details

Introduction to Philosophy

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU026346
Click here to view full unit details

Introduction to Religious Thought

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU006987
Click here to view full unit details

Introduction to a Pre-20th Century Drama

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU014899
Click here to view full unit details

Introduction to the History of English

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU025884
Click here to view full unit details

Political Philosophy

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU006927
Click here to view full unit details

Political Processes

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU010484
Click here to view full unit details

Social Change & Reform in 19th Century Britain

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU011215
Click here to view full unit details

Study of a Specified Historical Event

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU026357
Click here to view full unit details

Techniques in Creative Writing

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU014443
Click here to view full unit details

The Study of Non Fiction Texts

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU025893
Click here to view full unit details

Women's History 1832-1918

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU006791
Click here to view full unit details

World War One - The Trenches and The Home Front 1914/1918

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU025899
Click here to view full unit details
Optional Graded Academic Units: Social Sciences

3 credits must be taken from the Social Sciences group, with the remaining 21 credits from either of the optional graded academic groups.

Aspects of Social Psychology

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU005844
Click here to view full unit details

Atypical Development and Abnormal Behaviour

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU025692
Click here to view full unit details

Child Development

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU006046
Click here to view full unit details

Cognitive Psychology

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU017095
Click here to view full unit details

Culture and Identity

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU011218
Click here to view full unit details

Education Studies: Socio-Economic Factors in Educational Achievement

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU014787
Click here to view full unit details

Globalisation

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU006877
Click here to view full unit details

Human Rights for the Twenty-First Century

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU010482
Click here to view full unit details

Introduction to Criminology

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU018992
Click here to view full unit details

Introduction to Social Policy

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU014710
Click here to view full unit details

Introduction to the Sociology of Crime and Deviance

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU006605
Click here to view full unit details

Media and Society

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU026240
Click here to view full unit details

Poverty and Social Exclusion

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU014245
Click here to view full unit details

Social Inequality

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU025627
Click here to view full unit details

Sociology of Health

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU007094
Click here to view full unit details

Sociology of the Family

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU025357
Click here to view full unit details

The Psychology of Criminal Investigation

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU019963
Click here to view full unit details
Ungraded Units

Learners must complete 15 credits of ungraded units with 9 credits from the Mandatory ungraded group and 6 credits from the optional ungraded group.

Mandatory Units: Ungraded

Learners must complete 9 credits from the Mandatory ungraded group.

Academic Writing Skills

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU025276
Click here to view full unit details

Preparation for Higher Education

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU025532
Click here to view full unit details

References and Reliability of Sources

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU026344
Click here to view full unit details
Optional Units: Ungraded

Learners must complete 6 credits from the optional ungraded group.

Academic Reading Skills

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU018346
Click here to view full unit details

Application of Number - Interpreting and Presenting Information

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU007486
Click here to view full unit details

Being a Reflective Learner

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU017819
Click here to view full unit details

Introduction to the Grammar of English

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU010767
Click here to view full unit details

Promoting Wellbeing and Building Resilience

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU028487
Click here to view full unit details

Understand Published Research for Social Scientists

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU025750
Click here to view full unit details

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 knowledge will be acquired which support an understanding of English language and literature, history and psychology, sociology and criminology will ensure that the learner is fully prepared for progression onto the relevant degrees.

What this diploma covers

The units include a balance of English, history, criminology, psychology and sociology 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. Academic Reading or Writing Skills.

Delivery methods

Face to face
Blended learning

Work placements would also be beneficial and visits to museums would widen opportunities.

If the optional unit Introduction to a Pre-20th Century Drama is chosen, learners wishing to progress onto a literature degree should study key writers such as Shakespeare.

Progression routes

BA (Hons) Humanities
BA (Hons) Arts and Humanities (Creative Writing)
BA (Hons) English Language and Literature
BA (Hons) English Literature
BA (Hons) English Literature and Creative Writing
BA (Hons) History
BA (Hons) History and Politics
BSc (H) Criminological Psychology
BSc (H) Psychology and Criminology
BSc (H) Police Studies with Criminological Psychology
Psychology BSC (Hons)
BA (Hons) Social Psychology
BA (Honours) Social Sciences
BA (Honours) Social Sciences (Sociology)
BA (Honours) Social Sciences (Psychology)
BSc (Hons) Sociology
BA (Honours) Criminology
BA (Honours) Social Sciences (Criminology)BA Liberal Arts
BA in Education

Progression & entry requirements

Learners will probably require a pass in maths and English at GCSE level or a Functional Skills qualification in English and Maths to progress onto a degree course.

Provider approval criteria

No specific resources or special requirements specified.

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.

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

 

 

Related Qualifications