Access to Higher Education Diploma (Psychosocial Studies)

Key Facts

Level:
Level 3
Subject Sector:
11.2 Sociology and Social Policy
Credits:
60
Qualification No:
QAAQ004790
Price:
View price list
Age Range:
19+
QAA aim code:
40014940

Qualification Summary

The Diploma provides learners with a wide choice of units to support progression into Psychosocial Studies degree programmes. The mandatory group ensures that learners have a good understanding of themes relevant to Psychosocial Studies including Introductory modules for psychology and sociology. They will have the opportunity to research into an area of interest in either research skills for psychosocial studies or social research methods for psychosocial studies. Learners can select from a range of optional units linked to Psychosocial Studies, with some variety of choice to include units which may be of specific interest if the learner has an interest in behavioural studies, criminology, mental health, specific aspects of sociology such as topics related to the family or social inequalities. 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 6 credits from the mandatory graded units.

Introduction to Psychology

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU035000
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Introduction to Sociology

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU035002
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Optional Units: Research Graded Academic Subject Content

Learners must achieve 6 credits from this group.

Research Skills for Psychosocial Studies

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU035056
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Social Research Methods for Psychosocial Studies

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU035082
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Optional Units: Graded Academic Subject Content

Learners must achieve 33 credits from this group.

Aspects of Social Psychology

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034904
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Atypical Development and Abnormal Behaviour

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034906
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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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Child Development: Personal, Social and Emotional

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU034572
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Cognitive Psychology

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034912
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Counselling and Person-Centred Theory

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034918
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Culture and Identity

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034936
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Introduction to Criminology

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU034792
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Introduction to the Sociology of Crime and Deviance

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034798
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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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Personality

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU035020
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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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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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Social Inequality

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU035078
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Social Psychology

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU035304
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Sociology of the Family

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU035086
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Valuing Diversity: Types, Bases and Impact of Discrimination

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU035140
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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.

Academic Writing Skills

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034692
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Application of Number - Interpreting and Presenting Information

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034694
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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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Computer Data Protection

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034700
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Developing Professional Attributes

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034702
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Inclusivity and Disability

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034704
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Mathematics - Calculations

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034706
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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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Problem Solving in the Workplace

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034716
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Professional Interpersonal Behaviours

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034718
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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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Sustainability Project

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034732
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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 Psychosocial Studies including, a wide range of topics related to psychology and sociology including early child development, behaviour, criminology, the impact of the family unit on development, cultural and diversity, an understanding of how the brain works and applying psychology to different contexts, 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 (Psychosocial Studies) can include:

• Face to face
• Blended learning
• Online learning

If learners undertake Social Psychology, they should not undertake Aspects of Social Psychology and vice versa.

If learners undertake Mental Health and Illness, they should not undertake the Atypical Development and Abnormal Behaviour unit and vice versa.

Assessment Methods could include:

Viva, controlled assessment, report, individual presentation, research project, case study, essay or academic posters, depending on the units selected.

Progression routes

Following successful completion of the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Psychosocial Studies) learners may progress to the following:
• BA (Hons) Early Years Education
• BA (Hons) Psychosocial Studies
• BA (Hons) Social Psychology
• BA (Hons) Social Sciences
• BA (Hons) Social Sciences (Psychology)
• BA (Hons) Social Sciences (Sociology)
• BA (Hons) Social Work
• BA (Hons) Sociology with Psychosocial Studies
• BSc (Hons) Counselling
• BSc (Hons) Psychology
• BSc (Hons) Psychology and Counselling
• BSc (Hons) Psychology and Sociology
• BSc (Hons) Social Work
• BSc (Hons) Sociology

Provider approval criteria

There are no specific resources are required to deliver this diploma.

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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