Access to Higher Education Diploma (Social Sciences)

Key Facts

Level:
Level 3
Subject Sector:
11.2 Sociology and Social Policy
Credits:
60
Qualification No:
QAAQ004796
Price:
View price list
Age Range:
19+
QAA aim code:
40014964

Qualification Summary

The Diploma provides learners with a wide choice of units to support progression into Social Sciences degree programmes. The mandatory group ensures that learners have a good understanding of themes relevant to Social Sciences including, introduction to criminology, psychology and sociology. Learners can select from a range of optional units linked to Social Sciences, with some variety of choice to include units which may be of specific interest if the learner has an interest in different aspects of psychology, behaviour, child development, criminal behaviour, culture and identity, government policy linked to social welfare issues and social policy, human rights, mental health and illness, the impact of poverty and social exclusion and other social issues related to health, the family and the media. Learners may also wish to study how the brain works. 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 12 credits from the mandatory graded units.

Introduction to Criminology

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU034792
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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 Psychology Sciences

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU035058
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Research Skills for Social Science

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU035060
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Research: Extended Research Project for Social Science

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU035062
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Optional Units: Graded Academic Subject Content

Learners must achieve 27 credits from this group.

Applied Psychology

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU034898
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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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Crime and Deviance

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034582
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Crimes of Violence

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU034930
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Culture and Identity

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034936
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Government Policy in Relation to Current Social Welfare Issues

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034974
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Human Rights for the Twenty First Century

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034990
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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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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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Social Inequality

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

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU035080
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Socio-Economic Factors in Educational Achievement

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034596
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Sociology of Health

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU035084
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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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Sociology of the Media

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU035088
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The Psychology of Criminal Investigation

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU034852
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Understand the Impact of Crime

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU035122
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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 - Calculations

Level:
Level 2
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU035150
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Application of Number - Interpreting and Presenting Information

Level:
Level 2
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU035152
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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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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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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 for Social Sciences

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU035182
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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 Social Science including, topics related to criminology, psychology and social issues, 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 (Social Sciences) can include:
• Face to face sessions
• Blended learning
Assessment Methods could include:
Short answer questions, exams, controlled assessments, reports, essay, viva, case studies, essay, presentations with questions, project, literature review, academic posters, SWOT analysis, group discussions, reflections and a portfolio of evidence, depending on the choice of units.

Progression routes

Following successful completion of the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Social Sciences) learners may progress to the following:
• BA (Hons) Business Studies
• BA (Hons) Childcare and Early Years
• BA (Hons) Education Studies
• BA (Hons) History
• BA (Hons) Law
• BA (Hons) Psychosocial Studies
• BA (Hons) Social Psychology
• BA (Hons) Social Work
• BA (Hons) Sociology
• BA (Hons) Sociology with Psychosocial Studies
• BEd Primary Education (with QTS)
• BSc (Hons) Criminology
• BSc (Hons) Psychology
• BSc (Hons) Psychology and Sociology
• BSc (Hons) Public Services
• BSc (Hons) Sociology
Learners may also consider Degree Apprenticeships in Childcare/Early Years/Public Services (e.g., Police).

Provider approval criteria

There are no specific requirements for 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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