Access to Higher Education Diploma (Social Science) - Psychology and Sociology
Overview
This qualification is made up of several units which each come with an assignment attached. One of our tutors will mark your work and it will be returned with constructive feedback. This is important to read as it will contribute to the development of the course.
The Access to HE Diploma is a nationally recognised Level 3 qualification, regulated by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA). To achieve the HE Diploma in Social Science, you much achieve 60 credits in total, 45 of these will come from graded units which are concerned with the academic content of the course whereas the other 15 will be taken from ungraded united which have been designed to improve your studying capabilities.
You will need to allow at least 1-2 hours of study to complete each question, this will accumulate to approximately 360 hrs to complete this course.
Modules
Unit 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.
Unit 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 concepts and debates in responding to a set, academic writing task.
● Be able to summarise for academic purposes, selecting key points, information or central ideas.
● Understand the role of reference, allusion and paraphrase to avoid plagiarism.
Unit 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.
Unit 4: Independent research
On completion of this unit you will:
● Be able to plan a piece of research on an approved subject area.
● Be able to collect research material from different sources
● Be able to use data to substantiate an argument
● Be able to record sources of information
● Be able to present research findings
Unit 5: 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.
Unit 6: Progressing to higher education
On completion of this unit you will:
● Understand potential next steps in education.
● Understand key sources of information relevant to HE application.
● Understand personal HE opportunities.
● Understand the financial implications of further study.
● Know how to apply for a course.
Unit 7: 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 8: 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 9: The brain & nervous system
On completion of this unit you will:
● Understand the major subdivisions of the nervous system.
● Understand the structure and function of glial cells and neurons.
Unit 10: 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 therapy used to treat people with psychological disorders.
Unit 11: Psychology of mental illness
On completion of this unit you will:
● Understand the main issues arising from psychiatric diagnosis.
● Understand the medical model of mental disorder.
● Understand the symptoms, causes and treatments of schizophrenia.
● Understand the symptoms, causes and treatments of affective disorders.
● Understand the symptoms, causes and treatments of anxiety disorders.
Unit 12: 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.
Unit 13: Introduction to sociology
On completion of this unit you will:
● Understand the sociological approach and its distinction from common sense and other social sciences.
● Understand basic concepts in sociological explanation.
● Understand contrasting sociological perspectives.
● Understand concepts and perspectives relating to a specific social institution.
Unit 14: 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 15: Sociology of education
On completion of this unit you will:
● Understand the importance of education as a socializing 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: 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 and interactionist views.
● Understand the nature and extent of changes within the family, with reference to gender roles, domestic labour and power relationships.
● Understand changing patterns of marriage, divorce, separation and child rearing.
Unit 17: 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 18: 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.
Requirements
For those who choose to start an Access to Higher Education Diploma, it is worth noting you will need 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.
While every care has been taken to ensure our Access to Higher Education Diplomas fulfil entry criteria for a wide range of university degrees and be suitable to the UCAS application process, each university has different admission requirements. It is worth checking with the institution of your choice to avoid disappointment. 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 Universities proprietary literacy and numeracy assessments.
- Completion of specified work placements or work experience.
- Learners starting an Access to Higher Education Diploma must have a 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 is properly specified and 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 students fail to secure an offer from a higher education institution.
Assessment
This qualification is made up of several units which each come with an assignment attached. One of our tutors will mark your work and it will be returned with constructive feedback. This is important to read as it will contribute to the development of the course.
The Access to HE Diploma is a nationally recognised Level 3 qualification, regulated by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA). To achieve the HE Diploma in Social Science, you much achieve 60 credits in total, 45 of these will come from graded units which are concerned with the academic content of the course whereas the other 15 will be taken from ungraded united which have been designed to improve your studying capabilities.
You will need to allow at least 1-2 hours of study to complete each question, this will accumulate to approximately 360 hrs to complete this course.
Qualifications
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: (4000885X).This course has also been assigned 60 credits.
Open College Network West Midlands
Open College Network West Midlands is 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. Open College Network West Midlands also Quality Endorse organisations internal training and skills delivery.
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.
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