02 Mar 2021
Key Facts
Qualification purpose
Prepare for further learning or training and/or develop knowledge and/or skills in a subject area
Qualification Grading Type
Pass
Assessment Methods
Why choose this qualification?
This suite of social science qualifications provides an introduction to law and citizenship in the UK and to different aspects of sociology for example sociology of the family and education. The Diploma in Social Sciences also supports the development of a learner
They have been developed in collaboration with Newham College Of Further Education to meet the needs of post 16 learners who are interested in the different disciplines that make up the social sciences but have not had any prior experience in this sector at Key Stage 4.
The Diploma may be used as part of a 16-19 study programme for Level 2 learners.
Rules of Combination
Learners must complete a total of 15 credits, with 6 credits from Group M (Mandatory) and 9 from Group O1 (Optional units: Social Sciences).
Units
Learners must complete the two units in this group, totalling 6 credits.
Democracy, Power and Participation in the UK
Law in Action: Tort
Learners must complete 9 credits from this group.
Carrying out an Extended Project
Community Action and Active Citizenship
Equal Opportunities, Prejudice and Discrimination
Global Citizenship
Law in Action: Criminal Law
The Sociology of Education
The Sociology of the Family
What is the purpose of this qualification?
This qualification is for learners with no prior learning in this area who want an introduction to some key areas of social science. It will be of relevance to learners considering further study in one of a number of related areas at level 3.
What skills, knowledge, or understanding does this qualification develop?
This qualification includes two mandatory units
• Law in action: tort
• Democracy, power and participation in the UK.
Learners can then add further units from a range covering the sociology of education and the family, criminal law, community action, citizenship, equal opportunities and discrimination. They can also include a unit covering the skills required to undertake an extended project.
How is this qualification different from other, similar qualifications?
There is a Gateway Qualifications Level 2 Award, Certificate and Diploma in Social Sciences. Learners should take the Certificate if they want a programme that gives them a reasonable grounding across different aspects of social science, before progressing to a Level 3 social science course (e.g. an Access to Higher Education: Humanities and Social Sciences or an A level or AS in Sociology).
Which sector does this qualification support?
This qualification is not designed to support progression to employment.
What are the progression options?
This qualification supports progression to Level 3 learning in the field of social sciences, including for example sociology or law.
Progression & entry requirements
There is no requirement for any specific prior learning or attainment for this qualification. It is anticipated that most learners will not have any prior experience of social science before embarking on this qualification. However, they will benefit from having English and Maths skills at level 1 or above. The qualification is available to learners aged 16 and over.Funding information
Learning Aims Search
The Hub provides a Learning Aims Search which you can use to check the funding status of any qualification or unit.
View this qualification on the ESFA’s Hub website
From 1st July 2021, the Hub will be replaced by a new Find a learning aim (FALA) service. This service is currently in BETA so if you experience any issues with finding funding details, please double check on the Hub above, or contact your account manager.
View this qualification on the ESFA’s Find a learning aim website
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.
The following support materials will help you to deliver this qualification.
Special Considerations and Reasonable Adjustment Forms