Key Facts

Level:
Level 3
Subject Sector:
11.2 Sociology and Social Policy
Credits:
60
Qualification No:
QAAQ002518
Age Range:
19+
QAA aim code:
40008514

New suite of Access to HE Diplomas for August 2024

Our brand new suite of Access to HE Diplomas is available for delivery from 1st August 2024.

Access to HE Diploma (Social Sciences) Overview

Changes to Access to HE confirmed by QAA: Diploma Specification and Grading Scheme

Qualification Summary

The Diploma allows learners to undertake study related to social sciences. Learners will have the opportunity to develop skills which will enable progression to a range of degree level programmes including a focus on sociology and psychology which underpin most social science degrees. Many learners join social science degrees after following A level study in these two subjects 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 sociology, psychology and criminology, 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 sociology and social policy and have the opportunity to investigate specific aspects of psychology or criminology.

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

Learners who have followed these routes may need to develop their skills in specific areas as well as learning more about subjects in which they have an interest. If the learner has gone straight into employment, they may not have studied at Level 3 and so this Access to HE Diploma will help them to build on existing skills and provide a good grounding for further academic study.


Why choose this qualification?

This Diploma allows learners to undertake study related to social sciences. Learners will have the opportunity to develop skills which will enable progression to a range of degree level programmes including a focus on sociology and psychology which underpin most social science degrees. Many learners join social science degrees after following A level study in these two subjects 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 sociology, psychology and criminology, 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 sociology and social policy and have the opportunity to investigate specific aspects of psychology or criminology.

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

Learners who have followed these routes may need to develop their skills in specific areas as well as learning more about subjects in which they have an interest. If the learner has gone straight into employment, they may not have studied at Level 3 and so this Access Diploma will help them to build on existing skills and provide a good grounding for further academic study.

Rules of Combination

Learners must complete 45 credits from this group.


Units

Graded Research Units

Learners must complete 6 credits from this group.

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
Mandatory Units: Graded Academic Subject Content

Learners must complete 12 credits from this group.

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 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
Optional Graded Academic Units: Crime and Law

Learners may complete up to 15 credits from this group.

Crimes of Violence

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU025844
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 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

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

Understand the Impact of Crime

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU025846
Click here to view full unit details
Optional Graded Academic Units: Psychology

Learners may complete up to 15 credits from this group.

Applied Psychology

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU018274
Click here to view full unit details

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

Understanding Counselling Theories

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU018077
Click here to view full unit details
Optional Graded Academic Units: Sociology and Social Policy

Learners must complete a minimum of 12 credits and a maximum of 27 credits from this group.

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

Government Policy in Relation to Current Social Welfare Issues

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU018796
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

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

Sociology of the Media

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU014492
Click here to view full unit details

Valuing Diversity: Types, Bases and Impact of Discrimination

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU018124
Click here to view full unit details
Ungraded Units

Learners must complete 15 credits from this group.

Mandatory Units: Ungraded

Learners must complete 12 credits from this group.

Academic Writing Skills

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

Developing Professional Attributes

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

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
Optional Units: Ungraded

Learners must complete 3 credits from this group.

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

Communication - Speaking and Listening

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU007560
Click here to view full unit details

Optimising Examination Performance

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU025280
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

Sustainability Project

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU033854
Click here to view full unit details

The Fundamentals of Environmental Sustainability

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU033880
Click here to view full unit details

Work Placement

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU025609
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 sociology, psychology and criminology will ensure that the learner is fully prepared for progression onto the relevant degrees.


Delivery methods

Face to face
Blended learning
Work placements would also be beneficial and visits to museums would widen opportunities.

It should be noted that where learners are conducting primary research, their suggested research project should be scrutinised prior to commencement to check that ethical considerations have taken place. In addition, agreement from the interviewees must be obtained to ensure compliance with the General Data Protection Regulations, 2018.


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

BSc (H) Criminological Psychology
BSc (H) Psychology and Criminology
BSc (H) Police Studies with Criminological Psychology
Psychology BSC (Hons)
BA (Hons) Social Psychology
Social Sciences and Humanities Extended Degree - BA (Hons)
BA (Honours) Social Sciences
BA (Honours) Social Sciences (Economics)
BA (Honours) Social Sciences (Sociology)
BA (Honours) Social Sciences (Politics)
BA (Honours) Social Sciences (Psychology)


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:

Log in to Prism to download more assignment briefs