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

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 Well-being

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the relationship between resilience and mental well-being
• Understand the expression of feelings and emotions and how these could be managed
• Understand how mental well-being 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

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 on healthcare courses 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

This course is ideally suited to those who have completed full-time education but have not achieved the grades required to get into university.

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, essay, case study analysis, academic poster, timed test, journal article, experiment, portfolio, presentation (video and audio recording), 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 (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

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 Higher Education 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