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Access to Higher Education Diploma (Social Science)

Access to Higher Education Diploma (Social Science)

Regular price £999.00 GBP
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This diploma will allow you to apply for university courses in areas such as, but not limited to, Social Work, Social Care, Psychology, Sociology, Social Policy, Politics, and Philosophy.

Through this course you will gain knowledge and skills that can be applied in different fields and scopes. Our course includes a variety of units related to Sociology, History, Language and Communication; and tackles issues such as human rights, prejudice and discrimination, social identity, as well as language usage in social media and advertising. Moreover, through the course you will develop critical thinking and analytical skills, learn how to assess the credibility of sources, present your arguments, produce written assignments and conduct independent research. For more information, see the ‘modules’ tab.

This Online Social Science Course at a Glance

  • 100% online learning for adults
  • No qualifications required to apply
  • Flexible - learn in your own time around work and family
  • Flexible payments - interest-free monthly payments over 1 year 
  • One-to-one tutor support at mutually convenient times
  • Go to university without A Levels
  • Gain crucial knowledge, skills, understanding and confidence
  • Assessed through end-of-unit assignments - NO EXAMS!
  • Equivalent level to those of other level 3 qualifications, such as A Levels
  • Complete in 1 year or less

Education Provider: Cambridge Online Education - established 2002

Accredted by: Aim Qualifications and Assessment Group

Regulated by: Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA)

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Course Outline

The Access to HE Diploma is a full Level 3 qualification designed to prepare learners without traditional qualifications for entry into Higher Education (HE). The Diploma provides opportunity for learners to acquire and develop knowledge and skills needed to progress to higher education study and also enables learners to develop social and emotional skills such as communication and confidence.

Modules

To achieve the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Social Science) Ref. 400/1255/4 learners must achieve:

  • 45 credits which must be graded, academic subject content at Level 3 only.
  • 15 credits which must be either at Level 2 or Level 3 ungraded (U).

The following are the Unit titles for this Diploma:


Psychology:

  • Introduction to Psychology
  • Mental Health and Illness
  • Social Relationships

Social Policy:

  • Contemporary Issues in Social Policy
  • Social Welfare in the UK

Social Work:

  • Introduction to Social Work
  • Personal Social Services
  • Social Work Methods
  • Social Work Practice Skills

Sociology:

  • Introduction to Sociology
  • Sociology of the Family
  • Sociology of Education

Criminology:

  • Understanding Crime & Deviance
  • Criminal Justice & Social Policy
  • Forensic Psychology

Skills:

  • Preparing to Study (U)
  • Academic Writing Skills (U)
  • Applied Research Skills (U)
  • Progressing to Higher Education (U)

Enrolment Requirements

There are no formal entry requirements for students applying for the Cambridge Online Education Access to H.E. Diplomas. Tutors are nevertheless, required to ensure that learners admitted onto the Diploma possess the necessary skills and personal qualities to cope with the demands of the course.

Assessments

All Access to HE Diplomas require the achievement of 60 credits. 45 of the 60 credits must be graded at Level 3 (pass, merit or distinction). Such credits will arise from the Academic Subject Content Modules. The remaining 15 credits are ungraded and can be achieved at either Level 2 or Level 3. Students may only be registered against units with a maximum combined total credit value of 60. In terms of the length of time required for a learner to complete their diploma, for all Access to HE Diplomas the notional learning hours are 600. Notional learning hours comprise all learning that may be relevant to the achievement of the learning outcomes including directed and private study, practical and project work, assignments and assessment time. The assessment methods used for each unit of your course will be detailed in the Programme Handbook. Your tutor will provide you with formative feedback and provisional grades. Your grades will be then evaluated by the Examination Board. Final grades will be released to students after the External Moderation Visit.

Qualification

On successful completion of the course, you will receive a QAA recognised Access to Higher Education Diploma (Social Science), at level 3 awarded by the Aim Qualifications and Assessment Group. Aim Qualifications and Assessment Group are a national Awarding Organisation, regulated by Ofqual, the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) and Qualifications Wales, to develop and award nationally recognised qualifications.

Careers

Any qualification that has a connection with human relationships is always one with a lot of career options including: 

 

  • Media and mass communication
  • Public relations
  • Human Resource Management
  • Social Policy
  • Social Worker
  • Carehome Director
  • Counselling
  • Sociologist
  • Psychologist
  • Child Psychologist
  • Counsellor
  • Therapist
  • Analyst
  • Behaviourist
  • Academic
  • Teacher
  • Lecturer
  • Tutor
  •  

    It all depends on your interests, but no matter what you choose, you are up for a career that will cultivate your creativity, strengthen your communication skills, and develop your problem solving and critical thinking skills. As different universities have different entry requirements, you are strongly advised to check these requirements with your chosen tertiary education provider. You can contact our career advisers for further guidance and support in that matter.

     

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    Meet your expert friendly tutor

    Will gets a Distinction in his Access to HE Diploma (Social Science and Humanities) with Access Courses Online!

    FAQ Social Sciences

    University

    Will I be able to apply to university with this Access Course?

    Yes, our students get accepted to universities across the UK.

    Which university courses can I apply to?

    All courses related to social science, humanities, social work etc. Here are examples of some courses: journalism, politics, international relations, law, history, sociology and many others.

    Will I be able to cope once at the university?

    Yes, we will teach you how to write at an academic level, how to do independent research, how to reference your work etc. By the end of the course you will be able to manage academically when at uni.

    Have Access Courses Online students been offered university places for 2023?

    Yes!

    University of Exeter: politics, Philosophy and Economics

    University of Manchester: Politics, Philosophy and Economics

    SOAS University: Politics, Philosophy and Economics

    UCAS

    Will you help me with my UCAS application?

    Yes, we will help you with the application and your personal statement.

    What are Credits and Units?

    Each Access to Higher Education course comprises of smaller specific thematic Units. Each unit has an allocated level and credit value. Some Units are graded and some units are ungraded. All Access to HE Diplomas require the achievement of 60 credits. 45 of the 60 credits must be graded at Level 3 (pass, merit or distinction). Such credits will arise from the Academic Subject Content Modules. The remaining 15 credits are ungraded and can be achieved at either Level 2 or Level 3. Students may only be registered against units with a maximum combined total credit value of 60.

    How do the Access credits convert to UCAS points?

    This predominantly depends on the grades (pass, merit or distinction) you will get on the Level 3 graded units.

    For more information see: https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate/what-and-where-study/entry-requirements/ucas-tariff-points#what-are-ucas-tariff-points

    Which Course is for me?

    Which Access social science course should I choose?

    It depends on what do you want to do after. If you see yourself working as a counselor, social worker, HR personnel or psychologist, then go for social science. If your passion is e.g. journalism, media, philosophy, law, international relations, then social science and humanities will be a better choice for you.

    Can I complete the course while working?

    Yes, all our students work part-time or full-time. Our main goal is to support working students and help them in their goal of getting the qualifications they need to be able to go to university.

    Will I cope?

    How long it will take me to complete the course?

    Access to HE Diplomas can be studied full-time (1 year) or part-time (2 years). Our qualifications allow learners to fit their studies around their home and work commitments.

    Will I be able to complete the course in one year?

    You will be able to do that if you follow the study plan and meet the deadlines.

    What if I fall behind?

    Much of the course is working one on one with your tutor. The deadlines, tutorials etc. will be arranged and, if needed, adjusted according to your schedule. So even if you fall behind, we will come up with a ‘rescue’ plan.

    Can I complete the course while working?

    Yes, all our students work part-time or full-time. Our main goal is to support working students and help them in their goal of getting the qualifications they need to be able to go to university.

    My last couple of years in school weren’t great, I am scared that I will not manage academically.

    You should not worry about it. We understand it and we have policies and practices in place to help you. You will have plenty of one-on-one support from your tutor, and in no time, you will become a fully independent learner.

    Does my location matter?

    No. The entire course is provided online. But you must be a UK resident

    How will I attend?

    A live lesson will take place every week online. This lesson will be recorded. If you can’t attend our live lessons, you will be able to watch the recordings. To allow for flexible study, attendance is not monitored interms of live lesson attendance. Learners are expected to participate through submission of assignments and regular communication. Discussion of progress will determine that learners are following their agreed study plan and, therefore, the pace of study.

    Tutoring

    Who are the tutors?

    Each course has a dedicated tutor. Our tutors are qualified subject professionals with extensive work experience in their respective fields. Their biographies are available on our website. You can also read their content in our blog.

    Are you accredited?

    All our courses are accredited. On successful completion of the course, you will receive a QAA recognised Access to HE Diploma at level 3 awarded by the Aim Qualifications and Assessment Group which is Cambridge Online Education's awarding body. Aim Qualifications and Assessment Group are a national Awarding Organisation, regulated by Ofqual, the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) and Qualifications Wales, to develop and award nationally recognised qualifications.

    Who can I contact if I have questions?

    You can contact our support team and have a chat with a Social Sciences tutor:

    dr.elerian@chsonline.org.uk

    jemma.graham@accesscoursesonline.com

    Tel: +44 (0) 1223 637029

    • Alumni meets a New Starter

      Thanks to our wonderful leader of the Social Science Faculty, Martyna,
      two students meet to discuss their experience and anxieties abouts
      studying their courses.

    • Students First Months with ACO

      Claire has been with Access Courses online for a few months now and so it's lovely to hear how she is settling into her studies

    • Starting later in the Academic Year

      Millie started later in the year, so was worried she would be catching up and feeling overwhelmed - in reflecting on this with her course tutor, Millie explains how the flexibility of the course soon put her mind at ease