Access to Higher Education Diploma (Health and Social Care)

Key Facts

Level:
Level 3
Subject Sector:
1.3 Health and Social Care
Credits:
60
Qualification No:
QAAQ004766
Price:
View price list
Age Range:
19+
QAA aim code:
4001485X

Qualification Summary

The Diploma provides learners with a wide choice of units to support progression into Health and Social Care degree programmes. The mandatory group ensures that learners have a good understanding of themes relevant to Health and Social Care specifically in biology and research. The learners must also complete a specific number of credits from psychology and sociology units as well as a research module as the diploma has been developed to meet the requirements of the QAA subject descriptor for nursing and health professions. Learners must also complete ungraded units around maths for nursing and professional behaviours linked to nursing. Learners can select from a range of optional units linked to Health and Social Care, with some variety of choice to include units which may be of specific interest if the learner has an interest in mental health or dementia awareness, for example. However, as this diploma is designed to meet the requirements of the QAA Nursing and Health Professions subject descriptor, it is important that learners meet the rules of combination to cover psychology, sociology and other health contexts. Learners may also want to study the practical skills that are required within the sector as part of the health contexts optional graded group. In addition to the graded units, learners must choose from a selection of mandatory and optional ungraded units to support underpinning skills both for work within the sector or for further academic study.

Why choose this qualification?

This Access to HE Diploma has been fully reviewed and revalidated for the 2024-25 academic year. Updated resources are also available to Gateway Qualifications recognised centres.

The Access to Higher Education (HE) Diploma is an academic qualification that is designed to prepare learners for study at degree level. The diploma is designed to give the learner the relevant academic subject knowledge and underpinning study skills required to progress onto a relevant degree programme.

As an Access Validating Agency (AVA), all of our Access to Higher Education (HE) Diplomas are compliant with Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) regulations.

Units

Graded Academic Subject Content Units

Learners must complete 45 credits from the Mandatory Units: Graded Academic Subject Content, Optional Units: Research Graded Academic Subject Content and Optional Units: Graded Academic Subject Content groups.

Mandatory Units: Graded Academic Subject Content

Learners must complete 21 credits from the mandatory graded units.

Care Principles

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU035371
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Homeostasis

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034984
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Human Anatomy and Physiology

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU034782
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Human Reproduction and Health Related Issues

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034988
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Introduction to Biology: Cells and Tissues

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034746
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Optional Units: Research Graded Academic Subject Content

Learners must achieve 6 credits from this group.

Research Skills for Health or Care

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU035050
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Research: Extended Writing Project for Health or Care

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU035064
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Optional Units: Graded Academic Subject Content

Learners must achieve 18 credits across the optional graded unit groups.

Optional Units: Graded Academic Subject Content Health Contexts

Learners must achieve 18 credits across the optional graded unit groups (Health Contexts, Sociology and Psychology). The QAA Subject Descriptor for Health Professions and Nursing recommend learners achieve a minimum of 3 credits and a maximum of 6 credits from this group (Health Contexts). However, this is only a recommendation and it is not necessary to follow the subject descriptor.

An Introduction to Health and Disease

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034866
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Biological Psychology: The Brain

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU035110
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Dementia Awareness

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034938
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Equality and Diversity within Care Services

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034964
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Government Policy in Relation to Current Health Issues

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034972
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Health Physics

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU034778
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Health or Social Care Professions: Ethics and Values

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034978
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Mental Health and Illness

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU035010
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Practical Skills for Health Professionals

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU035032
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Promoting Health

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU035036
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Safeguarding Children, Young People and/or Vulnerable Adults

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034650
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Scientific Methods in Biology

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034836
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The Role of the Health or Social Care Professional

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU035114
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The Role of the Nervous and Endocrine System in Co-ordination and Control

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034986
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Optional Units: Graded Academic Subject Content Psychology

Learners must achieve 18 credits across the optional graded unit groups (Health Contexts, Sociology and Psychology). The QAA Subject Descriptor for Health Professions and Nursing recommend learners achieve a minimum of 9 credits and a maximum of 15 credits from this group (Psychology). However, this is only a recommendation and it is not necessary to follow the subject descriptor.

Abnormal Psychology

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034886
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Cognitive Psychology

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034912
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Developmental Psychology

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034940
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Health Psychology

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU034982
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Introduction to Psychology

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU035000
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Social Psychology

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU035306
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Optional Units: Graded Academic Subject Content Sociology

Learners must achieve 18 credits across the optional graded unit groups (Health Contexts, Sociology and Psychology). The QAA Subject Descriptor for Health Professions and Nursing recommend learners achieve a minimum of 3 credits and a maximum of 6 credits from this group (Sociology). However, this is only a recommendation and it is not necessary to follow the subject descriptor.

Health Inequalities

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034980
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Introduction to Sociology

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU035002
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Poverty and Social Exclusion

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU035028
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Social Drugs and Medicines

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU035076
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Sociology of Health

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU035084
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The Sociology of Health and Illness: Theoretical Perspectives

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU035118
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Ungraded Units

Learners must achieve 15 credits from the Mandatory Units: Ungraded and Optional Units: Ungraded groups.

Mandatory Units: Ungraded

Learners must achieve 3 credits from this group.

Preparation for Higher Education

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034710
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Optional Units: Ungraded

Learners must achieve 12 credits from this group. The QAA Subject Descriptor for Health Professions and Nursing mandate that learners study the Professional Behaviours: Nursing and Health Professions unit and the Numeracy in a Health Context. Learners may choose either the Level 2 or the Level 3 unit for Numeracy in a Health Context but may not study both. If learners are intending to progress to a health profession or nursing, they must undertake these units to support progression onto a relevant degree.

Academic Writing Skills

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034692
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Communication - Speaking and Listening

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034696
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Communications - Reading and Writing

Level:
Level 2
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU035156
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Computer Data Protection

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034700
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Inclusivity and Disability

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034704
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Introduction to Biology

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU035911
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Numeracy in a Health Context

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU035170
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Numeracy in a Health Context

Level:
Level 2
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU035168
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Optimising Examination Performance

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034708
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Presentation Skills

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034712
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Presenting Information Using ICT

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034714
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Professional Behaviours: Nursing and Health Professions

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU035178
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Promoting Wellbeing and Building Resilience

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034720
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References and Reliability of Sources

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034722
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Spreadsheets

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034726
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Statistics

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034728
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Study Skills for Higher Education

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034730
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The Fundamentals of Environmental Sustainability

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034734
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Writing Reports

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034736
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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 Higher Education
b) Adults who have gone straight into industry (perhaps following apprenticeship routes) who wish to progress to Higher Education.

How this diploma meets learners' needs

The diploma will address the learning needs of these target groups with underpinning skills to support academic study and provide a level 3 qualification linked to their proposed Higher Education study. A broad range of knowledge will be acquired which support an understanding of Health and Social Care including biology, psychology, sociology, mathematical skills and professional behaviours related to health contexts and topics related to health and social care such as mental health and dementia awareness, ensuring that the learner is fully prepared for progression onto the relevant degrees.

What this diploma covers

Learners will complete a planned, balanced and coherent programme of study, through which they have been able to acquire subject knowledge and develop academic skills which are relevant to the intended progression route(s). The units include a balance of units which allow the learners to study a broad range of topics 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.

Delivery methods

Delivery methods for the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Health and Social Care) can include:

• Face to face
• Blended learning
• Online learning

It is recommended that if the Psychology units are selected, the learners should undertake the Introduction to Psychology unit first.

Assessment Methods could include:

Academic poster, report, written questions and answer, exam, worksheets, investigation, essay, project, presentation, case study, professional discussion, practical demonstration, reflective journal and professional development plan, depending on the choice of units.

Progression routes

Following successful completion of the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Health and Social Care) learners may progress to the following:

• BA (Hons) Health and Social Care
• BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences
• BSc (Hons) Childcare and Early Years
• BSc (Hons) Dental Hygiene
• BSc (Hons) Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy
• BSc (Hons) Dietetics
• BSc (Hons) Dietetics and Human Nutrition
• BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science (Life Sciences)
• BSc (Hons) Health and Social Care
• BSc (Hons) Health Studies
• BSc (Hons) Midwifery
• BSc (Hons) Nursing (Adult)
• BSc (Hons) Nursing (Child)
• BSc (Hons) Nursing (Learning Disabilities)
• BSc (Hons) Nursing (Mental Health)
• BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy
• BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice
• BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science
• BSc (Hons) Paramedicine
• BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy
• Degree Apprenticeships Nursing and/or Trainee Nursing Associate
• FdA Health and Social Care
• Foundation Degree (FD or FdSc) in Paramedic Science
• Gateway Year to Medicine MBChB
• MSc (combined pathway) Adult and Children’s Nursing
• MSc (combined pathway) Adult and Mental Health Nursing
• MSc (Hons) Speech and Language Therapy

Progression & entry requirements

Learners will probably require a pass in maths and English in functional skills level 2 or GCSE to progress onto a degree. Course delivery providers should guide learners to be aware of HEI course entry requirements

Provider approval criteria

No specific resources are required for this diploma although consideration should be given to how the practical elements of some units can be assessed e.g. Practical Skills for Health Professionals.

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

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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