Access to Higher Education Diploma (English Studies)

Access to Higher Education Diploma (English Studies)

Your Diploma at a Glance

• Get to university without A Levels
• Achieve a nationally recognised qualification
• Study an English-related degree
• Explore poetry, short stories, and film adaptations
• 100% online
• No exams

About Your Diploma

Having a solid understanding of English and all the elements involved with the verbal and written word can lead you into an exciting career in various sectors.

Whether you want to write creatively in a professional setting or teach English in a secondary school, having a base of foundational knowledge will put you in good stead when studying at degree level.

The Access to Higher Education Diploma (English Studies) is the perfect course to study if you are keen to study a degree in English, Marketing, History, Creative Writing, or another English-related subject.

You will explore a wide range of topics, delving into the influences of language, how to analyse text, and the textural features of the written form. As part of your English Studies course, you will also become familiar with poetic techniques and how some literary texts are adapted into film.

Arguably the most famous playwright and poet was William Shakespeare, and you will get to explore his techniques and approaches whilst studying the Access to Higher Education Diploma course. In addition to subject-related topics, you will also learn study skills that will get you prepared for degree-level study.

Access to Higher Education Diplomas are designed for students who want to go to university but don’t possess the A Levels they need to meet entry requirements. This is because Access to Higher Education Diplomas are the equivalent of 3 A Levels.

Most universities accept these qualifications as alternatives to A Levels, but please check with your chosen establishment before applying. This English Studies course will help you on to a range of different degrees.

Getting Started

As soon as you enrol on the Access to Higher Education Diploma (English Studies) course, you will be issued with an Individual Learning Plan (ILP), which will outline the submission deadlines for your assignments. The purpose of the plan is to help keep you on track during your studies.

You will be given 24/7 access to all of the course materials you need via our industry-leading platform, and with the course being delivered entirely online, you can complete it from the comfort of your own home.

While you study, you will get support from our team of qualified and experienced tutors and will be able to contact our Access Support Team, who will help you throughout the duration of your course. You have two years to complete the Access to Higher Education Diploma (English Studies) course, but on average, our learners take 9 months to achieve their qualification.

Modules

Unit 1: Language Acquisition Stages and Theories

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the stages of language acquisition development
• Understand different perspectives on language acquisition

Unit 2: Social Media and the use and Change in Language

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the use of language in social media
• Understand the impact of social media on language

Unit 3: Analysing a Short Story

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand narrative techniques of a short story
• Be able to analyse the use of language in a short story
• Understand the influence of social and historical factors on the text of a short story

Unit 4: Film Adaptations

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand how to translate written narrative into film
• Be able to produce a storyboard or script with reference to mainstream narrative film
• Understand the translation of written word to visual representation
• Understand the relative signification processes of written and film texts

Unit 5: Themes, Plotlines and Character development in Shakespearian Plays

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the main themes of a Shakespeare play
• Understand the plot structure of a Shakespeare play
• Understand character development and expression in a chosen Shakespeare play
• Be able to analyse a Shakespeare play in terms of imagery, mood, and dramatic tension
• Understand the social and historical context of a Shakespeare play

Unit 6: The Study of Drama

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand how a character is created by the author within drama
• Understand how the plot is structured through drama
• Understand the dramatic effect of language within a chosen drama
• Understand how a written play transfers to the stage

Unit 7: Writing Poetry

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand figures of speech
• Understand poetic genres
• Understand flow and rhythm
• Understand tone and mood

Unit 8: Male and Female Speech

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understanding the features of male and female speech
• Understand theories and approaches of male and female speech

Unit 9: 18th and 19th Century Public Health

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand 18th Century urban development and public health
• Understand public health issues in the 19th Century
• Understand the attempts to manage public health issues during the 19th Century

Unit 10: 1914-1939 How Britain Changed

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the impact of World War 1 on society in Britain
• Understand the state’s approach to unemployment, housing, and health issues during 1918 – 1939 and how these issues impacted on British society
• Understand changes in British family life, and leisure during the period of 1918-1939

Unit 11: An Examination of British Industrial Change during the period of 1700-1850

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the pattern of industry and urban society during the period of 1700-1760
• Understand industrial change in Britain c1760-1850
• Understand the impact of industrial change in Britain by the year 1850

Unit 12: Writing an English Studies Essay

On completion of this unit you will:

• Be able to develop and plan an essay about a topic from the field of English Literature or English Language
• Be able to write an essay about a topic from the field of English Literature or English Language

Unit 13: The Influence of Community, History and Culture on Text

On completion of this unit you will:

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

Unit 14: Exploring The Analysis of a Novel

On completion of this unit you will:

• Be able to analyse the features of a novel
• Be able to analyse a range of literary techniques in a novel
• Be able to analyse the context of a novel

Unit 15: Learning and Study Skills

On completion of this unit you will:

• Know how to plan and organise study activity
• Understand the application of learning theories relating to personal learning
• Be able to create a range of strategies to address the factors which may impact upon study
• Understand the value of assessment feedback

Unit 16: Planning and Writing an Assignment

On completion of this unit you will:

• Be able to select and assess appropriate source information in response to a task
• Be able to reference sources used in a recognised style
• Understand different reading strategies
• Be able to take effective notes
• Be able to plan, draft and produce a written assignment

Unit 17: Writing and Studying Academic Texts

On completion of this unit you will:

• Be able to write academically and with relevance
• Be able to interpret and express ideas in a piece of academic work
• Be able to analyse and summarise text, and appreciate the problems caused by plagiarism

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

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 passed unit 2 of your course 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.

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 Higher Education Diploma (English Studies).

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.

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.

Skills & Education Group Access

On successful completion of the Access to Higher Education Diploma (English Studies), (QAA ref = 40014666), 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) will help you kickstart your career journey.

Frequently Asked Questions