Access to Higher Education Diploma (Social Science) - Psychology with Criminology

Overview

If you have a special interest in the human mind or you want to develop a deeper understanding of the reasoning behind types of criminal activity, this is the Access to Higher Education Diploma for you. Not only that but you can complete it entirely online from the comfort of your own home!

Of all the Criminology and Psychology online courses you can find, only the Access to HE Diploma (Social Science) has been specifically developed to help you get to university and achieve a degree, without having any A-levels. The Access to Higher Education Diploma has long been accepted as an alternative for those lacking traditional qualifications.

The course is designed to prepare you for the independent study you will be required to do at university and introduce you to the Criminology based theory you will encounter on any undergraduate degree programme. You will explore cognitive psychology, abnormal psychology, mental disorders, sociological perspectives, the prison system and other key concepts, along with criminal and social policy and procedure.

Studying an Access to HE Diploma (Social Science) means that you can allocate time to your study schedule where you see fit to balance learning with family, work and other commitments. What’s more, once you enrol on this Access to HE Diploma, you will be able to start studying straight away as you will be granted instant access to your course material. 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 HE Diploma can be completed within two years. However, most students complete their course within 9-12 months.

Although the Access to HE Diploma is a widely recognised qualification, universities have varying entry requirements, so ensure that you check with your chosen university whether your diploma meets their admissions criteria or not before submitting your UCAS application to avoid any disappointment.

Modules

Module 1: 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

Module 2: 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.

Module 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

Module 4: 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

Module 5: Understanding crime & deviance

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand explanations of crime and deviance
• Know theories of crime and deviance
• Understand perceptions of crime and deviance

Module 6: The Origins of the welfare state

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand what is meant by the term social welfare
• Know the purpose of the 1834 Poor Law Amendment Act and its effects on society
• Explain and discuss early twentieth century Liberal Reforms and their effect on society
• Recognise the significance of the Beveridge Report
• Recognise the social problems which the Welfare State attempted to address

Module 7: Introduction to cognitive psychology

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand research in an area of cognitive psychology
• Understand how the findings of research into cognitive processes can be applied to real-life issues

Module 8: 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

Module 9: The criminology of prisons

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the philosophical, social and official functions of imprisonment
• Distinguish between categories of prison and their relative costs
• Understand the effects of imprisonment and the increase in the prison population

Module 10: Developmental psychology

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the importance of early relationships in child development
• Understand explanations of the development of individual differences

Module 11: Measurements of crime

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand sources of crime statistics
• Understand the reliability of published statistics on crime
• Understand factors that are not reflected in criminal statistics

Module 12: Foundations of social policy

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the historical origins of social policy in the UK
• Understand the key influences on social policy in the 18th and 19th Centuries
• Understand changes in the political order
• Understand different types of voluntary action and role of poverty surveys

Module 13: The brain & nervous system (psychology)

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the major sub divisions of the nervous system
• Understand the structure and function of glial cells and neurons

Module 14: Criminal justice & social policy

On completion of this unit you will:

• Consider the key elements and developments of new right criminology
• Examine models of crime prevention
• Understand key arguments, current debates and developments in theories of crime control
• Examine arguments supporting an abandonment of ‘crime’

Module 15: The psychology of 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 Social Learning Theory and Observational Learning

Module 16: Sociology of education

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the importance of Education as a socialising agency
• Understand the roles of education in contemporary society
• Understand the social explanations of labelling and the use of stereotypes
• Understand the concept of meritocracy

Module 17: Abnormal psychology

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the difficulties faced by psychologists in the definition and diagnosis of abnormal behaviour. 
• Understand a psychological disorder. 
• Understand possible treatments used to treat people with psychological disorders.  

Module 18: Criminal law & procedures

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the criminal court process and its personnel
• Understand sentencing policy and procedures

Module 19: Sociology of the family

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the changes in family structure
• Understand sociological explanations of the family to include Functionalist, Marxist, feminist and interactionist views

Requirements

Anyone wishing to continue their education with an Access to Higher Education Diploma, it is necessary they have a GCSE Grade A-C in maths and English (or Functional Skills Level 2 or new GCSE Grade 4-9) with a desire to continue a related degree at university. If you do not hold these qualifications then you must be working towards them whilst completing your Access to HE Diploma.

Our Access to Higher Education Diplomas fulfil entry criteria for a broad range of university degrees and can be used in conjunction with the standard UCAS application process. In short, Access to HE Diplomas have a track record of helping learners get to the university and degree of their choice. Learners must bear in mind each university has their own set of admission criteria and places are subject to demand. Varying admission criteria can include but are not limited to the following:

 1. Number of credits to be attained at merit or distinction level.

2. Successfully passing a face-to-face interview at the University.

3. Passing a University’s proprietary literacy and numeracy assessments.

4. Completion of specified work placements or work experience.

5. GCSE Grade A – C in maths and English (or equivalent Level 2 such as Functional Skills).

Learners must undertake their own research to ensure their Diploma gives them the best possible chance of gaining entry to their university of choice. It is not possible for learndirect to accept any liability if any Access to Higher Education Diploma student fails to secure an offer from a higher education institution.

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 HE Diploma (Social Science). 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

Open College Network West Midlands

On successful completion of the Open College Network West Midlands Access to Higher Education Diploma (Social Science) you will receive a QAA recognised Access to HE Diploma at level 3 (QAA ref: (4000885X).This course has also been assigned 60 credits.

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.

Developing your career

Your Access to Higher Education Diploma and the way it is delivered within our innovative learning platform is designed to give you the best possible chance of fulfilling your dream of studying at university. Higher Education Degrees confirm to any employer your intellect, motivation and ability to work independently to succeed not just in your area of specialism but also life itself. A higher education degree is a gateway qualification that will allow you to apply 1,000's of graduate programmes as well as setting you apart from those who don't have a degree.