Access to Higher Education Diploma (Education Professions)

Access to Higher Education Diploma (Education Professions)

This Course at a Glance

• Change your career and become a teacher
• Understand education and development
• Completion possible in 9-12 months
• Study a degree without A Levels
• Learn at your pace
• 100% online study
• No Exams

About Your Course

If you’ve ever considered becoming a teacher, or you’re currently working in a support role in a school and want to take your career to the next level, an online Access to Higher Education Diploma (Education Professions) can help.

Previously, the routes to becoming a teacher were limited to gaining a Certificate in Education. Now, gaining a bachelor's degree is essential for new teachers across the United Kingdom, but there are many ways you can work towards this depending on if you already have a degree, and the route you would prefer to take.

If you don’t already have a degree, you will need to apply for an undergraduate Initial Teacher Education or Training (ITET) programme at university with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). One of the popular ways you can do this is by studying a Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree with QTS.

The Access to Higher Education Diploma (Education Professions) acts as the ideal preparation for a Bachelor of Education. Its education and development focused modules provide you with knowledge specific to teaching and education and can be used it as an equivalent to three A-Levels.

Throughout the course, you will learn all about how to manage behaviour in the classroom. You will explore numerous topics that will shed light on the development of children, from social interaction to child development early socialisation, and special education needs.

You’ll be taken through the different roles, responsibilities and relationships in education, in addition to completing modules that give you the study skills for university. For more information on what you will cover in the course, see the ‘Modules’ tab.

Getting Started

learndirect is the leading UK online learning provider. This Access to Higher Education Diploma (Education Professions) is a nationally recognised Level 3 equivalent qualification, regulated by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA).

Studied entirely online, the course flexibility allows you to work towards your career as a teacher alongside your current commitments. So, whether you’re already employed in a school, have a job outside of education or have family care commitments, you can complete your course around them.

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. An Access to Higher Education Diploma can be completed over two years. However, most students complete their course within 9-12 months, helping you get on the way to study at university faster than otherwise possible.

*Please note, each university sets its own entry requirements. Therefore, it is always best to check with your chosen institution that your Access to Higher Education Diploma will be accepted before enrolling on the course.

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: 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 4: Current Developments in Education

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand recent changes in the organisation and control of schools
• Understand current key issues in education policy
• Understand the range of institutions which exist in the school sector

Module 5: Child Development Early Socialisation

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand the nature/nurture debate in early socialisation
• Understand early socialisation and the formation of attachment

Module 6: Nutrition and Digestion

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand the concept of a balanced diet
• Understand the structure and function of the human digestive system

Module 7: Play in the Curriculum

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand the role of play
• Understand theoretical approaches to play and learning
• Understand types of play for children
• Understand the characteristics of an enabling play environment
• Understand inclusive play practice

Module 8: Numeracy Skills for Primary Education

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Be able to use mental arithmetic to perform a variety of functions
• Understand how to interpret and use written data
• Be able to solve written arithmetic problems

Module 9: The Safe and Ethical Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand the principles of safe and ethical use of generative AI in own subject area
• Be able to evaluate the use of generative AI tools or resources with regard to academic integrity
• Be able to evaluate safe and ethical practices in using generative AI in own subject

Module 10: Perspectives on Education

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand perspectives on education policy and practice
• Understand different approaches to the organisation of the school sector

Module 11: Human Reproduction Growth and Development

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand the structure and function of the human reproductive system
• Understand how hormones regulate the reproductive system throughout life
• Understand the sequence of events from conception to childbirth

Module 12: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand equality and diversity
• Understand how to promote inclusion in schools/educational settings
• Understand how legislation, policies and procedures inform equality, diversity and inclusive practice in schools/educational settings

Module 13: Literature: The Novel

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand structure and plot within the novel
• Understand themes in the novel
• Understand the use of language in the novel
• Understand the significance of characterisation within the novel
• Understand the significance of setting within the novel
• Understand the significance of the various contexts within which novels are written
• Be able to apply a critical perspective to a novel

Module 14: Safeguarding

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand the legislative requirements regarding safeguarding and welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults
• Understand the role of the person responsible for safeguarding within a professional setting
• Understand how to recognise safeguarding concerns when working with children, young people and vulnerable adults
• Understand how to report safeguarding concerns when working with children, young people and vulnerable adults

Moduel 15: Social Interaction

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand theories of Social Influence

Module 16: Working with Children with Additional Needs

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand biological and environmental factors which may result in children needing additional support
• Understand how the Early Years practitioner supports children’s socialisation and behaviour within the classroom
• Understand how personal experiences, values and beliefs impact on the role of the Early Years practitioner when meeting children’s additional needs
• Understand the Early Years practitioner’s need for professional and personal support when working with children with additional needs

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 poster, academic report, case study analysis, development of play activity, essay, illustrated report, journal article, portfolio, presentation (video and audio recording), research report, 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 (Education Professions). 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 (Education Professions), (QAA aim code: 40012840), 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 completing this Access to Higher Education Diploma (Education Professions) and a Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree with QTS, you can become qualified as a teacher and work in an array of exciting roles. Teachers are required to educate children and young people of all ages and abilities.

You could become a:

• Primary School Teacher
• Secondary School Teacher
• Special Educational Needs Teacher
• Early Years Teacher

Further Qualifications and Prospects 

Once you graduate and gain Qualified Teacher Status, there are many ways you can progress and advance up the career ladder.

With experience, you could take on roles with more responsibility such as:

• Head of Department
• Head of Year
• Pastoral Manager
• Deputy or Assistant Head Teacher
• Head Teacher

There are also a number of non-teaching roles in education that you could move into, such as:

• Academic or School Librarianship
• Education Administration
• Educational Psychology
• Educational Publishing
• Education Social Work
• Museum Education
• Careers Guidance
• School Liaisons

All teachers in the UK must also complete 30 hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) per year. This includes any type of training or education that adds directly to your skillset as a teacher, but falls outside of your mandatory and statutory training.

Completing CPD training is a great way to explore new avenues of teaching and improve your ability to support learners.

You could study courses like:

• Digital Skills for Teaching Online
• Teaching English as a Foreign Language
• Teaching English as a Second Language
• Bullying in Schools
• Developmental, Learning and Behavioural Disorders in Children and Adolescents
• Understanding Specific Learning Difficulties
• Forest School Programme Leadership
• Special Educational Needs (SEN) - Advanced
• Understanding Children and Young Peoples' Mental Health

Should you choose to complete a postgraduate qualification, like a PhD, you could even become a Higher Education (HE) Lecturer or an Academic Researcher.

Frequently Asked Questions