Access to Higher Education Diploma (Psychology)

Access to Higher Education Diploma (Psychology)

This Course at a Glance

• Learn the many factors that influence thoughts, behaviours, and emotions
• Study a degree in an engaging and rapidly expanding field of study
• Take a step towards a career as a Psychologist
• Completion possible within a year
• Go to university without A Levels
• Online study
• No exams

About your Diploma

If you’re fascinated by people and what makes them tick, studying psychology allows you to dive deep into the exploration of the mind to understand the different ways people think, feel, and behave. It looks at different motivations and how past experiences – both good and bad – can influence our actions, reactions, and relationships.

For this reason, studying psychology is an opportunity to observe the full spectrum of human behaviour, from childhood to adulthood, as well as the methodologies behind diagnosis, treatment, and support when issues are identified.

If this appeals to you, our online Access to Higher Education Diploma (Psychology) will allow you to gain the essential knowledge needed to study psychology or a related social science at degree level.

You will cover a number of fascinating modules, from ethical issues in psychological research to crime and deviance and explanations of the development of individual differences. This knowledge and more will ready you for degree level study and, upon graduation from university, you will have several career options to choose from.

These include therapy, forensics, teaching, sports therapy, law enforcement, marketing, wellness, and wellbeing and many more. This online psychology course not only prepares you for university level study, but it also equips you with skills that employers find highly desirable. Effective communication, analysis, methodical thinking, and problem solving are all qualities found in psychology graduates.

Getting Started

learndirect is the leading UK online course provider, helping thousands of students every year achieve their academic and career goals. This Access to Higher Education Diploma (Psychology), is a Level 3 nationally recognised qualification that is regulated by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA).

As an online course, you have the complete flexibility to tailor your study schedule around your existing commitments. So, no matter if you are looking to change careers and study outside of your current work commitments, or while you care for your children, you can comfortably complete the course that will help you reach your goal.

Once enrolled, you will have access to all the course materials required to complete the Access to Higher Education Diploma. You will also receive an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) outlining the submission deadlines for each of your assignments, to help you stay on track. Outside of these deadlines, you can move through the course at your pace, which is why despite having two years to complete the course, most of our learners are finished in 9 months.

Modules

Unit 1: 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.

Unit 2: Studying the Brain and Nervous System

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the structure and function of nervous system including key areas of the brain.
• Understand the structure and function of glial cells and neurons.

Unit 3: Impact of Forensic Psychology in Criminal Investigations

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the roles of the Forensic Psychologist.
• Understand how psychologists have contributed to jury behaviour and eyewitness memory.
• Understand offender profiling.
• Be able to apply an offender profiling technique.

Unit 4: Biological and Psychological Approaches to Stress

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand potential physiological and psychological stress responses.
• Understand research into the link between stress and illness.
• Understand an example of psychological and biological stress reduction strategies.

Unit 5: Child Development Theories

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand Piaget’s theory of development.
• Understand the major criticisms of Piaget’s work.
• Understand alternative theories of development.
• Understand how stages of child development link to practical situations.

Unit 6: Interpersonal Relationships

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand theories of interpersonal relationships.
• Understand explanations relating to the stages of relationships using research.
• Understand the effects of interpersonal relationships on the individual.

Unit 7: Learning

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand what is meant by learning.
• Understand what is meant by conditioning and its practical applications.
• Understand how behaviour can be influenced by social learning theory.

Unit 8: Research Methods in Psychology

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand psychological research methods.
• Understand how to design research in a scientific way.
• Understand the importance of ethical standards in research.

Unit 9: The Psychology of Child Development

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the importance of early relationships in child development.
• Understand the nature/nurture debate in relation to the development of intelligence, personality, or language.

Unit 10: Exploring an Introduction to Psychological Research and Approaches

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand scientific research methods in the field of psychology.
• Understand different psychological approaches to explaining behaviour.
• Understand ethical issues connected with psychological research.

Unit 11: Introduction to Abnormality and Psychological Disorders

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the challenge of defining and diagnosing mental illness.
• Understand a range of explanations for a chosen psychological disorder.
• Understand the treatment of one psychological disorder.

Unit 12: Models, Research and Application of Cognitive Psychology

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand contrasting psychological perspectives and research evidence in one area of cognition.
• Be able to apply psychological research to real life.

Unit 13: The Development of a Typical Child

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the stages of development of children from birth to adulthood.
• Understand the stages of cognitive development of children from birth to adulthood.
• Understand factors which affect social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development in children.

Unit 14: Family Structure and Changes

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand changes in family.
• Understand a range of sociological explanations of the family.

Unit 15: Education in Contemporary Society

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the importance of education in socialisation of pupils.
• Understand the role of education in modern society.
• Understand the impact of labelling and stereotypes in education.
• Understand the meritocratic view of education in contemporary society.

Unit 16: Exploring Theories of Crime and Deviancy

On completion of this unit you will:

• Be able explain of crime and deviance from a range of viewpoints.
• Understand the social structural theoretical basis of crime and deviance.
• Understand the media’s influence on perceptions of crime or deviance.

Unit 17: 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 18: 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.

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, case study analysis, essay, journal article, portfolio, presentation (video and audio recording), primary research, 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 (Psychology).

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 (Psychology), (QAA ref = 40011859), 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

Completing this Access to Higher Education Diploma (Psychology) puts you on a direct path to studying psychology or a similar social science degree at university. Upon graduation, you will be able to move into a host of careers that require knowledge of the human condition.

You could become an:

• Assistant Psychologist
• Domestic Abuse Worker
• Head of Learning and Professional Development
• HR Director
• Lecturer in Policing
• National Crime Agency (NCA) Officer
• Occupational Therapy Support Officer
• Wellbeing Lead

Further Qualifications and Prospects

Once you graduate from university, you could also continue your psychology studies to become a Chartered Psychologist (CPsychol). This would require a master’s degree in your chosen specialism through subjects like:

• MSc Forensic Psychology
• MSc Health Psychology
• MSc Sport and Exercise Psychology

If you want to teach psychology, this is also an option once you have completed the relevant postgraduate qualifications. Alternatively, you could learn more about specific areas like mental health through online courses such as learndirect’s:

• Mental Health and Social Care
• Mental Health and Counselling Level 3 Diploma (RQF)
• TQUK Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Children and Young People's Mental Health
• TQUK Level 3 Certificate in Understanding Mental Health

Frequently Asked Questions