Gateway Qualifications Level 2 Diploma In Social Sciences

Rules of Combination

Learners must complete a total of 40 credits including all units within Group M (Mandatory) totalling 30 credits and 10 credits from Group O1 (Optional units: Personal Learning and Thinking Skills).

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Units

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 preparing for further study in one of a number of related areas at level 3. It can be used as the substantial qualification by learners on a 16-19 study programme.

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What skills, knowledge, or understanding does this qualification develop?

This qualification includes the following mandatory units

• Law in action: tort
• Democracy, power and participation in the UK
• The sociology of education
• The sociology of the family
• Law in action: criminal law
• Community action and active citizenship
• Global citizenship
• Equal opportunities, prejudice and discrimination
• Carrying out an extended project

Learners can then add further units from a range covering personal, learning and thinking skills, such as those for effective team workers and creative thinkers.

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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 Diploma if they want a programme that gives them a comprehensive grounding across different aspects of social science, as well as the opportunity to develop valuable learning skills in readiness for 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).

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Which sector does this qualification support?

This qualification is not designed to support progression to employment.

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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.

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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 2 or above.The qualification is available to learners aged 16 and over.

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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

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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.

Internal Quality Assurance

Special Considerations and Reasonable Adjustment Forms