Access to Higher Education Diploma (Social Science) - Psychology and Sociology

Accreditation by Open College Network West Midlands

100% online
learning

19 units

600 notional
learning hours

Description

Access to Higher Education Diploma (Social Science) - Psychology and Sociology

This Course at a Glance

Learn about the fundamentals of psychology and society
Gain a nationally recognised qualification
Explore career options in multiple sectors
Complete in 9-12 months
Fastest route to university
Equivalent of 3 A Levels

About Your Diploma

Are you fascinated by the fabric of society and how the mind drives human behaviour? Well, you can combine these two interests by studying an Access to Higher Education Diploma (Social Science) Psychology and Sociology course.

Our nationally recognised online course delves into the relationship between society and humans, exploring a range of subject areas. This includes cognitive psychology, understanding the motivations behind our behaviours, and the link between social policy and poverty.

Not only will you gain a wealth of knowledge, the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Social Science) – Psychology and Sociology course could put you on a path towards an interesting and meaningful career.

Access to HE Diplomas can be used to gain entry to university as they are widely regarded as the equivalent to 3 A Levels. However, universities set their own entry requirements, so we advise that you check with your chosen establishment before applying.

As well as gaining a solid foundation of knowledge in sociology and psychology, you will learn various study skills and writing techniques that will prepare you for degree-level study.

With a broad spectrum of career options available to you in the psychology and sociology field, you can take initial steps towards discovering your perfect role by studying for an Access to Higher Education Diploma.

Getting Started

This qualification is designed to prepare you for, and help you gain access to undergraduate study from the comfort of your own home. If you have not completed A Levels, or don’t have the right qualifications, this Diploma offers a chance for you to achieve the university degree you want.

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 a year. However, most students complete their course within 9 months. So, within a year you could be applying to university.

As soon as you enrol, you will be given 24/7 access to all of the course materials you need via our innovative online student portal. Unlike traditional learning, you will not have to wait for term times. Instead, you can begin studying as soon as you enrol.

OUR PASS RATE

Access to Higher Education Diplomas (National Average 78.4%)

88^%

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: Health and Wellbeing

On completion of this unit you will:

Understand the relationship between resilience and mental wellbeing
Understand the expression of feelings and emotions and how these could be managed
Understand how mental wellbeing can be supported and managed

Unit 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

Unit 5: Understanding Crime and 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 6: 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

Unit 7: Sociology of the Family

On completion of this unit you will:

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

Unit 8: 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

Unit 9: Sociology of Health

On completion of this unit you will:

Understand concepts and models of health
Understand the social construction of health and ill health
Understand alternative approaches to health

Unit 10: The Origins of The Welfare State

On completion of this unit you will:

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

Unit 11: The Brain and 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

Unit 12: Combating Prejudice and Discrimination

On completion of this unit you will:

Understand theoretical explanations for prejudice and discrimination
Understand legislative responses to discrimination and prejudice
Understand community initiatives in combating discrimination and prejudice

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: 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

Unit 15: 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 sociological explanations of labelling and the use of stereotypes
Understand the concept of meritocracy

Unit 16: 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

Unit 17: 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 18: Contemporary Issues in Social Policy

On completion of this unit you will:

Understand current issues in social policy
Understand current legislation in relation to current issues in social policy
Understand the economic context of a contemporary issue

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

Requirements

Anyone wishing to continue their education with an Access to Higher Education Diploma need to have a GCSE grade C/4 or above in Maths and English (or Functional Skills Level 2) 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 to support the 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, though, that 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:

Number of credits to be attained at merit or distinction level
Successfully passing a face-to-face interview at the university
Passing a university’s proprietary literacy and numeracy assessments
Completion of specified work placements or work experience
GCSE grade C/4 or above in Maths and English (or equivalent Level 2 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.

*Please note, this course is eligible for UK residents only

*You will have access to the course for 12 months only, after which, you can purchase extensions through your learning platform.

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) – Psychology and Sociology.

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

Open College Network West Midlands Access to Higher Education (Social Science)

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: (40012554). This course has 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

If you have an interest in learning about the intricacies of psychology and sociology, then our Access to Higher Education Diploma (Social Science) – Psychology and Sociology will cover all the bases. This online course presents the perfect opportunity to kick-start a new career.

The beauty of progressing towards a degree in psychology, sociology, or a combined degree, is that you will open doors to diverse careers across two subject areas. During your initial studies, you may find that an area of these subjects interests you more, enabling you to pursue a specific sector, such as:

Government
Counselling
Health and Social Care
Teaching

Further Qualifications and Prospects

There are specific job roles that will require additional qualifications, depending on the level of role you are pursuing. For example, to become a teacher, you will require a PGCE in addition to your existing qualifications. You may also require industry-specific qualifications for the role you are working towards. This may apply to the following:

Advertising
Psychology
Human Resources
Business Administration
Personnel Management

Access to Higher Education Diploma (Social Science) - Psychology and Sociology

This Course at a Glance

Learn about the fundamentals of psychology and society
Gain a nationally recognised qualification
Explore career options in multiple sectors
Complete in 9-12 months
Fastest route to university
Equivalent of 3 A Levels

About Your Diploma

As well as gaining a solid foundation of knowledge in sociology and psychology, you will learn various study skills and writing techniques that will prepare you for degree-level study.

Getting Started