Access to Higher Education Diploma (Humanities)
- SALE Savings End Midnight Friday 29th September
- SALE Savings End Midnight Friday 29th September
Access to Higher Education Diploma (Humanities)
This Course at a Glance
- Study the human race and different cultures
- Pursue careers that require knowledge of human behaviour
- Develop creative thinking, writing and critical reading skills
- Average completion time 9-12 months
- Go to university without A Levels
- Studied entirely online
- No exams
About Your Diploma
If you find the history of people, language, and culture intriguing, you can study the origins of human communities around the world in one academic subject, and progress into a career that indulges these interests.
Humanities is a field of study that helps us understand how people all over the globe have made sense of the world over time. It does so by delving into the many moral, intellectual and spiritual perspectives different groups hold, to help us have a more informed view when we answer questions about the human race.
By completing an Access to Higher Education Diploma (Humanities) you will explore numerous aspects of human culture and behaviours, from crime and deviance to the impact social changes have had on societies.
You will cover political ideologies, the role the media plays in affecting human behaviours and shaping perspectives, as well as the devices used in oral and written texts internationally.
With all of this knowledge, you will be well equipped to obtain the qualifications that will allow you to enter jobs in the fields of arts, writing, psychology and politics.
In fact, as your Access to Higher Education Diploma qualification provides the equivalent of three A Levels, you can use this qualification to gain entry to your chosen university, should they accept them.
Getting Started
learndirect is a leading UK online learning provider. This Access to Higher Education Diploma (Humanities) is a Level 3 nationally recognised qualification regulated by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA).
You have up to two years to complete this course, but the flexibility of online learning means most of our students finish their Access to Higher Education Diploma within 9 months. So, you can study from the comfort of home and around your existing commitments.
You will be provided with an Individual Learning Plan that outlines the submission deadlines for your assignments to keep you on track throughout your studies.
*Please note, entry requirements differ between universities. It’s always best to check with your chosen institution that your qualification will be accepted before enrolling on a course.

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 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 3: Introduction to Psychology
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand the importance of research in psychology
- Understand the main approaches in psychology
- Understand ethical issues in psychological research
Unit 4: Understanding Crime & Deviance
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand explanations of crime and deviance
- Understand theories of crime and deviance
- Understand perceptions of crime and deviance
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 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 8: 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 9: 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
Unit 10: Social Relationships
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 11: Short Story
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand the narrative elements of the story
- Understand textual features and language
- Understand the influence of social and historical factors on the text
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: Sociology of Mass Media
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand the patterns of ownership and control of the mass media
- Understand the role of the mass media
- Understand the process of selection and presentation of the news
- Understand how media stereotypes are presented
Unit 14: 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 15: Psychobiology of Stress
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand common physiological and psychological responses to stress
- Understand the relationship between stress and illness
- Understand methods used to reduce stress
Unit 16: Imperialism in the late 19th century
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand the importance of economics in late 19th century imperialism
- Understand the Political importance of late 19th century imperialism
- Understand the effect of late 19th century imperialism on the continent of Africa
Unit 17: 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 18: Introduction to Political Ideologies
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand what is meant by a political ideology
- Understand the different types of political ideologies
- Understand the value of political ideologies
Unit 19: Understanding Poverty
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand definitions of poverty
- Understand ways of measuring poverty
- Understand the extent of poverty in contemporary Britain
- Understand explanations of poverty
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 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 poster, academic report, essay, case study analysis, 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 in order to achieve the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Humanities). 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.
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 (Humanities), (QAA ref = 4001440X), 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.
With the breadth of knowledge and transferable skills you will gain in your Access to Higher Education Diploma (Humanities) and a subsequent degree in humanities, you will be well equipped for a host of fascinating careers that rely on your understanding of people.
Besides your insight into the way people think and operate, you will have gained a rhetoric education that will have equipped you with many desirable skills. This includes the ability to write and speak well, form persuasive arguments, be able to create effective written pieces and presentations, have logical thinking and confidence in building cases on controversial subjects.
Your qualifications, coupled with these skills can help you pursue a career as a:
- Teacher
- Social Researcher
- Lawyer
- Public Administrator
- Journalist
- People Professional
- Museum Education Officer
- Librarian
- Linguist
- Lobbyist
Further Qualifications and Prospects
As in any career, there is always additional learning you can undertake to progress or move into a specialist area. Depending on the career path you work towards with your humanities degree, you could advance your skills with courses in:
- Criminal Psychology
- The People Profession
- Freelance Journalism
- Understanding Body Language
- Equality and Diversity
- Foundations of English Law
- Education and Training
Should you decide to embark on postgraduate studies in Humanities, you could even become a lecturer of the subject yourself in universities.
- SALE Savings End Midnight Friday 29th September
- SALE Savings End Midnight Friday 29th September
Access to Higher Education Diploma (Humanities)
This Course at a Glance
- Study the human race and different cultures
- Pursue careers that require knowledge of human behaviour
- Develop creative thinking, writing and critical reading skills
- Average completion time 9-12 months
- Go to university without A Levels
- Studied entirely online
- No exams
About Your Diploma
If you find the history of people, language, and culture intriguing, you can study the origins of human communities around the world in one academic subject, and progress into a career that indulges these interests.
Humanities is a field of study that helps us understand how people all over the globe have made sense of the world over time. It does so by delving into the many moral, intellectual and spiritual perspectives different groups hold, to help us have a more informed view when we answer questions about the human race.
By completing an Access to Higher Education Diploma (Humanities) you will explore numerous aspects of human culture and behaviours, from crime and deviance to the impact social changes have had on societies.
You will cover political ideologies, the role the media plays in affecting human behaviours and shaping perspectives, as well as the devices used in oral and written texts internationally.
With all of this knowledge, you will be well equipped to obtain the qualifications that will allow you to enter jobs in the fields of arts, writing, psychology and politics.
In fact, as your Access to Higher Education Diploma qualification provides the equivalent of three A Levels, you can use this qualification to gain entry to your chosen university, should they accept them.
Getting Started
learndirect is a leading UK online learning provider. This Access to Higher Education Diploma (Humanities) is a Level 3 nationally recognised qualification regulated by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA).
You have up to two years to complete this course, but the flexibility of online learning means most of our students finish their Access to Higher Education Diploma within 9 months. So, you can study from the comfort of home and around your existing commitments.
You will be provided with an Individual Learning Plan that outlines the submission deadlines for your assignments to keep you on track throughout your studies.
*Please note, entry requirements differ between universities. It’s always best to check with your chosen institution that your qualification will be accepted before enrolling on a course.
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 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 3: Introduction to Psychology
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand the importance of research in psychology
- Understand the main approaches in psychology
- Understand ethical issues in psychological research
Unit 4: Understanding Crime & Deviance
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand explanations of crime and deviance
- Understand theories of crime and deviance
- Understand perceptions of crime and deviance
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 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 8: 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 9: 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
Unit 10: Social Relationships
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 11: Short Story
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand the narrative elements of the story
- Understand textual features and language
- Understand the influence of social and historical factors on the text
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: Sociology of Mass Media
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand the patterns of ownership and control of the mass media
- Understand the role of the mass media
- Understand the process of selection and presentation of the news
- Understand how media stereotypes are presented
Unit 14: 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 15: Psychobiology of Stress
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand common physiological and psychological responses to stress
- Understand the relationship between stress and illness
- Understand methods used to reduce stress
Unit 16: Imperialism in the late 19th century
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand the importance of economics in late 19th century imperialism
- Understand the Political importance of late 19th century imperialism
- Understand the effect of late 19th century imperialism on the continent of Africa
Unit 17: 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 18: Introduction to Political Ideologies
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand what is meant by a political ideology
- Understand the different types of political ideologies
- Understand the value of political ideologies
Unit 19: Understanding Poverty
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand definitions of poverty
- Understand ways of measuring poverty
- Understand the extent of poverty in contemporary Britain
- Understand explanations of poverty
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 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 poster, academic report, essay, case study analysis, 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 in order to achieve the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Humanities). 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.
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 Higher Education Diploma (Humanities), (QAA ref = 4001440X), 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.
With the breadth of knowledge and transferable skills you will gain in your Access to Higher Education Diploma (Humanities) and a subsequent degree in humanities, you will be well equipped for a host of fascinating careers that rely on your understanding of people.
Besides your insight into the way people think and operate, you will have gained a rhetoric education that will have equipped you with many desirable skills. This includes the ability to write and speak well, form persuasive arguments, be able to create effective written pieces and presentations, have logical thinking and confidence in building cases on controversial subjects.
Your qualifications, coupled with these skills can help you pursue a career as a:
- Teacher
- Social Researcher
- Lawyer
- Public Administrator
- Journalist
- People Professional
- Museum Education Officer
- Librarian
- Linguist
- Lobbyist
Further Qualifications and Prospects
As in any career, there is always additional learning you can undertake to progress or move into a specialist area. Depending on the career path you work towards with your humanities degree, you could advance your skills with courses in:
- Criminal Psychology
- The People Profession
- Freelance Journalism
- Understanding Body Language
- Equality and Diversity
- Foundations of English Law
- Education and Training
Should you decide to embark on postgraduate studies in Humanities, you could even become a lecturer of the subject yourself in universities.

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