Access to Humanities and Social Sciences – English Studies Pathway

Modules

Module 1: Academic Writing Skills

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Be able to structure a written response
• Be able to develop a structured response to a plan
• Be able to present the response appropriately for audience and purpose
• Understand how to apply academic writing principles to own work

Module 2: Reading and Note Making

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand a range of reading strategies
• Understand the use of language in terms of the purpose and context of a range of texts
• Be able to use methods for developing notes from a range of sources

Module 3: Texts and Genres

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand how literary genres are defined and classified
• Understand of the use and effect of literary features
• Be able to interpret literary texts in relation to social issues

Module 4: The Influence of Community, History and Culture on Text

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand linguistic devices employed in oral and written texts
• Understand the historical and cultural factors influencing texts
• Be able to evaluate the effects of community on language

Module 5: Industrialisation in Britain

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand the conditions which encouraged industrialisation in Britain
• Understand perspectives on the causes of industrialisation
• Be able to evaluate the effects of industrialisation on industrial work practice

Module 6: Literature: Shakespeare

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand how Shakespearean texts can be interpreted in performance
• Be able to analyse Shakespearean texts using appropriate terminology
• Understand the significance of cultural, social and historical influences on the production and reception of a Shakespearean play

Module 7: Literature: The Novel

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand key narrative techniques used in novels
• Understand themes and context within the novel
• Understand how critical perspectives can inform literary analysis
• Be able to apply literary analysis to a selected novel

Module 8: Analysing Short Stories

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand the skills needed to analyse short stories
• Be able to evaluate the influence of context in short stories
• Understand how literary criticism can be used to develop a response to short stories

Module 9: Social and Economic Change in 19th Century Britain

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand agricultural change and the development of industrialisation in 19th century Britain
• Understand the causes and effects of rapid urban growth in 19th century Britain
• Be able to evaluate evidence of social and political protest in 19th century Britain

Module 10: Male and Female Speech

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understanding the features of male and female speech
• Understand theories and approaches to male and female speech
• Be able to apply theories of language and gender to examples of speech

Module 11: Film Adaptations

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand how to translate written narrative into film
• Be able to create a visual representation of a written narrative
• Be able to evaluate visual representations of adapted texts

Module 12: Literature: Poetry Analysis

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand how explicit and implicit meanings interrelate in poetry
• Be able to apply literary terminology to discuss poetry
• Understand the influence of context on the production and reception of poetry
• Be able to critically review a range of poetry

Module 13: Writing an English Studies Essay

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand the conventions of academic essay writing in English studies
• Be able to plan an essay about a topic from the field of English Literature or English Language
• Be able to research and apply sources in English studies
• Be able to write a structured academic essay in English studies 

Module 14: Social Media and the Use and Change in Language

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand the use of language across social media platforms
• Understand the impact of social media usage on language
• Be able to assess the role of social media in shaping public discourse and opinion

Module 15: Literature: Dramatic Text

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand how subject, theme, and language shape meaning in dramatic texts
• Understand dramatic structure, technique, and context
• Be able to apply concepts and critical terms in the study of drama
• Be able to develop an informed response to dramatic texts

In addition to the qualification units, you will also be required to complete a course induction which comprises of three short introductory tasks to support the development of your academic study skills.

Entry Requirements

To study an Access to HE Diploma you must be resident in the UK and have a UK postcode.

You must hold Level 2 qualifications in both English and Maths, or be working towards them alongside studying your Access to Higher Education Diploma.

University Entry Criteria

It must be reiterated that each university will set its own admission criteria. So, you must check with your desired institution if your Access to HE Diploma and other qualifications will be accepted. In many cases, to get started at university you will need: - A certain number of credits passed with a merit or a distinction grade - A face-to-face interview at the university - Literacy and numeracy assessments provided by the university - Course-related work placements or work experience - GCSE Grade C/4 or above in Maths and English (or equivalent Level 2 such as Functional Skills/Key Skills, etc.) It is your responsibility to check that your Access to HE Diploma will be accepted as part of these entry requirements for your chosen degree. learndirect will not be held accountable if completing this Access to Higher Education Diploma doesn’t secure you a position with a higher education institution.

Minimum age restriction

Access to HE Diplomas are designed to support students to progress to university who have substantial experience of life outside of formal education which they have gained since completing compulsory schooling.

Average completion timeframe

The average time it takes our learners to complete the course is 9-12 months.

Assessment requirements

A range of assessment methodologies are used, including: academic report, essay, journal article, portfolio, presentation (video and audio recording), research report, academic writing skills tasks.

In addition to the qualification units, you will also be required to complete a course induction which comprises of three short introductory tasks to support the development of your academic study skills.

Exams required

There are no exams included in the assessment of the course.

Is Membership Required?

No membership is required to enrol on this course.

Additional requirements

Learners must be actively studying for a minimum of six months before results can be ratified and certificates ordered. The six month period does not start until you have completed and passed the course induction and you must be submitting assignments regularly (in line with the deadlines in your Individual Learning Plan) to meet this six month requirement. Certificates can only be issued once your course is paid for in full.

Certification Timeframe

You can expect to receive your certificate 12-16 weeks from your final assignment being marked and graded, depending on the time of year. You will be provided with regular updates throughout the certification process so that you are fully informed of your individual timeframes.

Course Fees

All course fees, inclusive of all payment plans including our Premium Credit Limited option, must be settled before certification can be ordered.

*You will have access to the course for 24 months.

Assessment

A range of units make up this qualification, with an assignment at the end of each. You will submit your work to your tutor for marking and tailored feedback. You must acquire 60 credits in total to achieve the Access to Humanities and Social Sciences – English Studies Pathway.

Of these credits, 45 will be taken from graded units which focus on the academic subject areas included in the course. The remaining 15 come from ungraded units included helping you to improve your academic writing and study skills.

In addition to the qualification units, you will also be required to complete a course induction which comprises of three short introductory tasks to support the development of your academic study skills.

As part of your programme, you will also receive help as well as guidance on your university application and the research you need to do to get the most out of your diploma.

Qualifications

Skills & Education Group Access

On successful completion of the Access to Humanities and Social Sciences – English Studies Pathway, (QAA aim code: 40012888), you will receive a Skills & Education Group Access, QAA recognised, Access to Higher Education Diploma at Level 3. As part of your programme, you will also receive help as well as guidance on your university application and the research you need to do to get the most out of your diploma.

An access validating agency with a strong social purpose to recognise achievement, particularly for those who have benefited least from their previous educational experiences, Skills and Education Group Access supports the needs of learners, providers, businesses and communities by enabling progression into higher education.

Career

With this qualification, you will be able to enrol on a degree that is related to English Studies, giving you a plethora of options. For example, you could enhance your existing knowledge by studying English Language or English Literature or go in a different direction and study a History or Marketing degree.

When choosing your degree, you should consider the career that you want to achieve. With English Studies knowledge, you could go on to work in many roles, such as the following:

• Content Writer
• Proofreader
• Editor

Further Qualifications and Prospects

If you want to delve into creative writing professionally, perhaps write your own novel or short story, you can develop your skillset by studying additional courses. With learndirect, you can study Crime Writing, Caption Writing, Scriptwriting and more.

For those of you who want to work as an English Teacher in a secondary school, you will need to enrol on an Initial Teacher Training (ITT) programme. Whatever career you decide to pursue, an Access to Higher Education Diploma - English Studies Pathway will help you kickstart your career journey.

Frequently Asked Questions