Access to Higher Education Diploma (Health and Social Care)

Access to Higher Education Diploma (Health and Social Care)

Your Course at a Glance

• Go to university without A-Levels
• Learn skills to care for others in the community
• Understand the challenges facing at-risk individuals
• Earn a nationally recognised Level 3 qualification
• 100% online learning
• Obtain your diploma in 9-12 months

About Your Diploma

Health and social care play a significant role in making up the fabric of our society. Essentially, professionals in this sector are in place to provide support and assistance to the people who require it most. If you believe that you could make a difference by working in health and social care, then kick-start your career by studying for the qualifications you need.

Health and social care workers support individuals who are at risk, unwell or have specific medical needs. They support families, young people, the elderly and the seriously ill in several ways, including maintaining good physical, mental health, and independent living.

To study a related degree at university, our Access to Higher Education Diploma (Health and Social Care) course will help you get there. This is because the Level 3 diploma is the equivalent of 3 A Levels, and most universities accept them as part of their entry requirements. However, we advise that you check with your chosen establishment before applying.

With the knowledge you gain through this course, you could pursue many important roles that relate to health and social care. Support work, community development, health promotion and nursing are just a few of the options that would be available to you.

This becomes possible by learning about human health in topics that explore developmental psychology, healthcare communication and equality, diversity, and inclusion in healthcare settings. You will also delve into how human health can be adversely affected by poverty, drugs, mental health disorders and other issues.

Getting Started

learndirect is the UK’s largest online learning provider, helping more than 4 million learners gain the qualifications they need. This Access to Higher Education Diploma (Health and Social Care) is regulated by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA).

This course is studied online and can be completed from the comfort of your own home at a time that suits you. There is no need to re-organise work or family commitments to fit in your studies.

You’ll be provided with an Individual Learning Plan that will detail your submission deadlines to help keep you on track. On average, learners take 9 months to complete their Access to Higher Education Diploma, often resulting in students completing their studies and being on the way to university within a year.

Keep in mind, though, that you have two years to finish the course. What’s more, you’ll receive support and feedback from our team of dedicated tutors, so you stay focused on your progress.

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: Healthcare Communication

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand the main methods of communication
• Understand the barriers to communication
• Understand the value of developing good communication skills within the context of the health service
• Understand the importance of confidentiality and record keeping

Module 4: Perspectives in Psychology

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand different psychological perspectives
• Understand the differences between alternative psychological perspectives
• Understand the application of psychological perspectives to contemporary issues in psychology

Module 5: Family

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand the relationship between the family and the wider society
• Understand role relationships within the family
• Understand the influence of feminism on the study of the family

Module 6: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Healthcare Settings

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Know the key concepts related to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)
• Understand key legislation and regulations related to EDI in healthcare
• Understand how EDI issues are managed in healthcare settings

Module 7: Developmental Psychology

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand the nature/nurture debate in developmental psychology
• Understand early socialisation and the formation of attachment
• Understand cognitive development and the ways in which children process and use information
• Understand the application of developmental psychology theories in the real world
• Understand psychological changes that accompany ageing

Module 8: Professionalism and Multidisciplinary Teams

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand the impact of changes to the roles and responsibilities of a chosen health care professional
• Understand regulation as a chosen health care professional
• Understand the multidisciplinary team working in a chosen health care

Module 9: Understanding the Welfare State

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand the historical development of the British Welfare State
• Understand the main welfare services available in contemporary British society
• Understand the differing ideologies of welfare
• Understand a current contemporary issue in welfare provision

Module 10: Cognitive Psychology

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand theories relating to cognitive psychology
• Understand the contribution of cognitive psychology research to our understanding of three of the following:
  • development
  • memory
  • attention
  • perception
  • language and thought

Module 11: Social Inequality

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand the relationship between social differentiation and social inequality
• Understand the main theoretical perspectives on social inequality
• Understand how class, gender and ethnicity influence the opportunities available to people

Module 12: Biopsychology: Behaviour and the Brain

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand the concept of localisation of function
• Understand the strengths and weaknesses of methods of investigating the relationship between the brain and behaviour
• Understand the interaction between the brain and behaviour

Module 13: Social Care Provisions

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand the adult and child social work provisions in the UK
• Understand the contributions of the voluntary and private sector in the provision of care
• Understand the differing welfare needs of groups of people

Module 14: Poverty in Contemporary Britain

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand definitions of poverty
• Understand the historical context of poverty in Britain
• Understand the different methods used to measure poverty
• Understand theoretical explanations of poverty
• Understand explanations about why certain social groups are more likely to experience poverty
• Understand recent policies for tackling poverty in Britain

Module 15: Biopsychology: Behaviour and Drugs

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand how neurotransmitters in the brain control behaviour
• Understand the action of drugs on synaptic transmission
• Understand how psychoactive drugs change behaviour
• Understand the role of serotonin antagonists and reuptake inhibitors in the treatment of disorders

Module 16: Dementia

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand the causes and prevalence of dementia
• Understand the diagnosis of dementia
• Understand treatment and care of dementia patients

Module 17: Responding to Prejudice and Discrimination

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand theories for prejudice and discrimination
• Understand legal responses to discrimination and prejudice
• Understand community initiatives in overcoming discrimination and prejudice

In addition to the qualification units, you will also be required to complete short introductory tasks at the start of your course 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, case study analysis, academic poster, illustrated report, journal article, portfolio, presentation (video and audio recording), academic writing skills tasks.

In addition to the qualification units, you will also be required to complete short introductory tasks at the start of your course 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 passed unit 3 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 in order to achieve the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Health and Social Care). 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 to help you to improve your academic writing and study skills.

In addition to the qualification units, you will also be required to complete short introductory tasks at the start of your course 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.

Skills & Education Group Access

On successful completion of the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Health and Social Care), (QAA aim code: 4001468X), 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.

Developing your career

By studying this Access to Higher Education Diploma, you will be able to progress on to degree-level study. If you opt to enrol on a degree course that is in health and social care or related, you could go on to work in a role that is rewarding and fulfilling.

There are a range of degrees that you can study to help you towards your career goal. With the knowledge you gain from your Access to Higher Education Diploma, you will be able to use it as a foundation for further learning. With your Level 3 qualification, you could potentially apply to enrol on the following degree subjects:

• Health Studies
• Health and Social Care
• Social Work

With a degree, you could pursue a range of job roles within the health and social care sector, including the following:

• Social Worker
• Community Development Worker
• Health Promotion Specialist
• Health Service Manager
• Medical Sales Representative

Further Qualifications and Prospects

It is important to note that some roles will require further study and training. For example, if you want to become an Occupational Therapist, you will need a specialist degree or postgraduate qualification. You will also need to be registered with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC).Some individuals who study health and social care-related degrees go on to become a Counsellor. If you are interested in this route, then you will need to undergo specialist training, preferably through a course that is accredited by a counselling professional body.

Frequently Asked Questions