Access to Higher Education Diploma (English Studies)

Modules

Unit 1: Academic Writing Skills

On completion of this unit you will:

• Be able to write with relevance in responding to an academic task
• Know how to interpret and discuss ideas and issues in responding to a set, academic writing task
• Be able to summarise for academic purposes, selecting key points, information or central ideas

Unit 2: Preparing to Study

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand how study is organised and planned
• Understand how to apply theories of learning in relation to personal approaches to learning
• Understand a range of constraints upon study
• Understand the importance of assessment feedback

Unit 3: Preparing a Written Assignment

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand how to use key information sources
• Understand why sources are acknowledged and referenced
• Understand a range of reading strategies
• Understand note-making methods
• Understand how to plan, draft and produce a written assignment

Unit 4: Language, Communication and Communities

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand devices used in oral and written texts
• Understand factors influencing language
• Understand the process and effects of community on language

Unit 5: Study of a Novel

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand how to respond to a novel
• Understand the use of literary techniques in the novel
• Understand the contextual aspects of the novel

Unit 6: Industrial change in Britain 1700-1850

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the pattern of industry and urban society c1700-1760
• Understand the causes and nature of industrial change in Britain c1760-1850
• Understand the impact of industrial change on British social, economic and political life by 1850

Unit 7: Language Acquisition

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the stages of development in children's language
• Understanding the contrasting views on language acquisition

Unit 8: Short Story

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand narrative elements of the story
• Understand textual features and language
• Understand the influence of social and historical factors on the text

Unit 9: Social change in Britain 1914-1939

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the impact of World War 1 on British society
• Understand the social consequences of unemployment, housing and health problems during the period 1918-1939
• Understand developments in family life and leisure opportunities

Unit 10: Shakespeare

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the major themes of a Shakespeare play
• Understand the plot structure of the play
• Understand the processes involved in the presentation of the major characters
• Understand how language is used to create dramatic impact
• Understand the social and historical implications of the play

Unit 11: Understanding Drama

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand how an author creates character within a drama
• Understand the structure of the plot within a drama
• Understand the part played by language in dramatic effect for the chosen drama
• Understand how a play transfers from page to stage

Unit 12: Public Health During the 18th & 19th Centuries

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the nature of urban development and public health during the 18th Century
• Understand the causes and effects of public health problems in the 19th Century
• Understand the nature and impact of attempts to address public health problems in the 19th Century

Unit 13: Language and Gender

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the features of male and female speech
• Understand theories and approaches applied to speech

Unit 14: Extended Essay

On completion of this unit you will:

• Be able to develop and plan an extended essay on a chosen topic relevant to your Diploma title
• Be able to produce an extended essay on a chosen topic relevant to your Diploma title

Unit 15: How the Poet Works

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the principal figures of speech
• Understand different poetic genres
• Understand metre and rhythm
• Understand the tone and mood

Unit 16: Language and Social Media

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand how language is used in communication by social media
• Understand the impact of social media on language

Unit 17: Film Adaptations of Literary Texts

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the techniques used in translating a section of written narrative into film
• Be able to produce an outline storyboard and script
• Understand the opportunities presented in text for film adaptation
• Understand the relative signification processes of written and film texts

Entry Requirements

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 on healthcare courses 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

This course is ideally suited to those who have completed full-time education but have not achieved the grades required to get into university.

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.

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 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.

Qualifications

Open College Network West Midlands

On successful completion of the Open College Network West Midlands Access to Higher Education Diploma (English Studies) you will receive a QAA recognised Access to Higher Education Diploma at Level 3 (QAA ref: 40012396)

Open College Network West Midlands 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.

Open College Network West Midlands work in partnership with employers, training providers, colleges, universities, schools and voluntary and community organisations to offer vocational credit-based qualifications, Access to Higher Education Diplomas and quality assured Customised Accreditation that enables learners gain employment or to progress into further learning and Higher Education. They also Quality Endorse organisations internal training and skills delivery.

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.