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Access to HE Diploma (IT and Product Design)

Key Facts

Level:
Level 3
Subject Sector:
6.1 ICT Practitioners
Credits:
60
Qualification No:
QAAQ002530
Price:
£140.00 per learner
Age Range:
19+
QAA aim code:
40010521

Qualification Summary

The Diploma allows learners to undertake study related to IT and product design. Learners will have the opportunity to develop skills which will enable progression to a range of degree level programmes within the sector. Many learners join these types of 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 CAD and programming as well as 3D design. They will be able to research an area of interest to them in more depth. They will study a range of optional units covering electronics, mechanics, understanding manufacturing processes, graphic design and software as well as a unit which explores the impact of robotics within the industry and learners will be able to gain an understanding of the importance of UX design.

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 IT and product design. Learners will have the opportunity to develop skills which will enable progression to a range of degree level programmes within the sector. Many learners join these types of 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 CAD and programming as well as 3D design. They will be able to research an area of interest to them in more depth. They will study a range of optional units covering electronics, mechanics, understanding manufacturing processes, graphic design and software as well as a unit which explores the impact of robotics within the industry and learners will be able to gain an understanding of the importance of UX design.

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

Units

Mandatory Units: Graded Academic Subject Content

Learners must complete 12 credits from this group.

Engineering Design - CAD

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU026955
Click here to view full unit details

Introduction to Programming Implementation

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU026123
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User Experience (UX)3D Design Project

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU028867
Click here to view full unit details
Graded Research Units

Learners must take a maximum of 6 credits from this group.

IT Project

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU011341
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Research Project for IT - Methodology

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU026380
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Optional Graded Academic Units

Learners must take 27 credits from this group.

Electronics

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU027886
Click here to view full unit details

Graphic Design

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU027881
Click here to view full unit details

Introduction to Virtual and Augmented Reality

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU028475
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Mathematics for Computing

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU026125
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Mechanics

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU027888
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Program Testing

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU006341
Click here to view full unit details

Relational Database

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU014306
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Software Fundamentals - Object-Oriented Programming

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU011300
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Understanding Manufacturing Processes

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU027890
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Understanding Robots and Control Systems

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU026152
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Visual Studies 2D

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU025820
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Website Design and Production

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU026145
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Ungraded Units

Learners must complete 9 credits from this group.

Application of Number - Interpreting and Presenting Information

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU007486
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Preparation for Higher Education

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU025532
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Spreadsheets

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU011467
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Optional Units: Ungraded

Learners must complete 6 credits from this group.

Computer Data Protection

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU026150
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Developing Professional Attributes

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU025278
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Introduction to 3D

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU008279
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Introduction to the Grammar of English

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU010767
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Presentation Skills

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU018352
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Presenting Information Using ICT

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU027084
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Problem Solving in the Workplace

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU018630
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Professional Interpersonal Skills

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU025796
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Promoting Wellbeing and Building Resilience

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU028487
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Study Skills

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU018318
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Work Placement

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU025609
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Writing reports

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU026155
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 computing, manufacturing, engineering skills and programming and will ensure that the learner is fully prepared for progression onto the relevant degrees.

What this diploma covers

The units include a balance of 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. maths and the use of spreadsheets.

Delivery methods

Face to face
Blended learning including online platforms such as Moodle or Pearl.

Work placements would also be beneficial and visits to IT companies or manufacturers would widen opportunities.

Successful completion criteria

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.

Progression routes

Learners may progress to the following:

BSc (H) Computer Science (single honours)
BSc (H) Computer Science and Education with Qualified Teacher Status
BSc (H) Computing and ICT
BSc (H) Computer Science and Mathematics
BSc (H) Software Engineering
Product Design and Creative Innovation BA (Hons)
Product Design BSc (Hons)
Product Design BA (Hons)
Product Design and Innovation BSc (Hons)
User Experience Design, BSc. (HONS)
User Centred Design (Hons), B.Sc.
User Experience and User Interface (UX and UI) Design, B.A.

Provider approval criteria

Resources and special requirements – computer labs, JavaScript (server). Software to facilitate all modules.

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.

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