Access to Higher Education Diploma (Social Science and Health) - Health Studies Pathway
Overview
Under the broad umbrella of social science, the fundamental focus is on human relationships and the way they interact with society. A continuing issue is making certain that each and every community has access to the healthcare they need.
If you want to take a further look at today’s health issues and the impact society and social factors have on healthcare, you can do so with the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Social Science and Health). This qualification is a flexible substitute to A-levels for students interested in pursuing a social science or a health-related degree.
You can begin your studies at university once you have successfully finished your Access to HE Diploma. A degree in social science or a health-related course will prepare you for a range of different career paths. A significant amount of students go on to work in a social care or health setting, in roles such as housing services adviser, health adviser or community support worker. By pursuing this path, you can effectively make a difference in the private, public or voluntary sector.
Check your new qualification is right for you
We strongly recommend that you contact the university, or teaching institution, you wish to attend and check that the entrance criteria for the degree course you aspire to can be met by this qualification. University admissions policies differ so it’s worth making sure you have the right course for your particular needs.
How does the course work?
You’ll learn online from home, fitting in assignments around family life or a full-time job and taking the initial step towards an exciting new career. As there are no term dates, you can sign up and get started at any point throughout the year, and you have anything in between 6 and 24 months to complete your study (on average most learners take between 8-9 months)
With easy to understand course materials, you can make the most of the interactive content we provide. Our innovative online learning environment is a hub of information. Stay in touch with learndirect tutors via email, phone or by using the online portal. Additionally, you can connect with likeminded students.
In order to successfully complete your Access to HE Diploma (Social Science and Health), you will need a learning plan to manage your own time effectively. You’ll receive regular deadline reminders from us to help you get a step closer to the university of your choice.
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 ideas and issues in reponding to a set, academic writing task
- Be able to summarise for academic purposes, selecting key points, information or central ideas
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: 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: The History of the National Health Service
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand the background to and the founding principles of the National Health Service
- Understand how political reforms have shaped the National Health Service
Unit 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.
Unit 8: 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 9: Approaches to Health
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand different definitions of health and ill health
- Understand different explanatory models of health and ill health
- Understand contrasting sociological perspectives on health.
- Understand the different ways in which people respond to illness
Unit 10: The Origins of The Welfare State
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand what is meant by the term welfare state
- 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 11: 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 12: The Roles and Responsibilities of Health Care Professionals
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand the changes to the roles and responsibilities of a chosen health care professional
- Understand the role of professional/regulatory bodies for a health care professional, for example HCPC and Nursing and Midwifery Council
- Understand the current multidisciplinary approach to health care
Unit 13: Poverty and Health
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand approaches to poverty and health
- Understand approaches to the social distribution of health chances
Unit 14: 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 15: Inequalities in Health and Illness
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand the importance of social, economic and environmental changes on the nature of morbidity and mortality in the UK
- Understand the relationship between theories of health and welfare inequalities and health policies
Unit 16: Social Factors in Health and Social Care
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand sociological factors influencing the relationships between patients and health professionals
- Understand the role of social motivational factors in health and ill health
- Understand the significance of social support networks in health care and maintenance
Unit 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.
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: Equality and Diversity within Healthcare
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand equality and diversity within health care
- Understand the rights of the individual in a health care setting.
- Understand the impact of equality and diversity legislation on health care provision
Requirements
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 and Health). Of these credits, 45 will be taken from graded units which focus on academic content. The remaining 15 come from ungraded units included to help you advance your study skills.
The approximate amount of time required to complete the course is 360 hours.
Qualifications
Open College Network West Midlands
On successful completion of the Open College Network West Midlands Access to Higher Education Diploma (Social Science and Health) you will receive a QAA recognised Access to HE Diploma at level 3 (QAA ref: (40008861).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.
Hear from our past Students
Under the broad umbrella of social science, the fundamental focus is on human relationships and the way they interact with society. A continuing issue is making certain that each and every community has access to the healthcare they need.
If you want to take a further look at today’s health issues and the impact society and social factors have on healthcare, you can do so with the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Social Science and Health). This qualification is a flexible substitute to A-levels for students interested in pursuing a social science or a health-related degree.
You can begin your studies at university once you have successfully finished your Access to HE Diploma. A degree in social science or a health-related course will prepare you for a range of different career paths. A significant amount of students go on to work in a social care or health setting, in roles such as housing services adviser, health adviser or community support worker. By pursuing this path, you can effectively make a difference in the private, public or voluntary sector.
Check your new qualification is right for you
We strongly recommend that you contact the university, or teaching institution, you wish to attend and check that the entrance criteria for the degree course you aspire to can be met by this qualification. University admissions policies differ so it’s worth making sure you have the right course for your particular needs.
How does the course work?
You’ll learn online from home, fitting in assignments around family life or a full-time job and taking the initial step towards an exciting new career. As there are no term dates, you can sign up and get started at any point throughout the year, and you have anything in between 6 and 24 months to complete your study (on average most learners take between 8-9 months)
With easy to understand course materials, you can make the most of the interactive content we provide. Our innovative online learning environment is a hub of information. Stay in touch with learndirect tutors via email, phone or by using the online portal. Additionally, you can connect with likeminded students.
In order to successfully complete your Access to HE Diploma (Social Science and Health), you will need a learning plan to manage your own time effectively. You’ll receive regular deadline reminders from us to help you get a step closer to the university of your choice.
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 ideas and issues in reponding to a set, academic writing task
- Be able to summarise for academic purposes, selecting key points, information or central ideas
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: 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: The History of the National Health Service
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand the background to and the founding principles of the National Health Service
- Understand how political reforms have shaped the National Health Service
Unit 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.
Unit 8: 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 9: Approaches to Health
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand different definitions of health and ill health
- Understand different explanatory models of health and ill health
- Understand contrasting sociological perspectives on health.
- Understand the different ways in which people respond to illness
Unit 10: The Origins of The Welfare State
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand what is meant by the term welfare state
- 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 11: 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 12: The Roles and Responsibilities of Health Care Professionals
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand the changes to the roles and responsibilities of a chosen health care professional
- Understand the role of professional/regulatory bodies for a health care professional, for example HCPC and Nursing and Midwifery Council
- Understand the current multidisciplinary approach to health care
Unit 13: Poverty and Health
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand approaches to poverty and health
- Understand approaches to the social distribution of health chances
Unit 14: 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 15: Inequalities in Health and Illness
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand the importance of social, economic and environmental changes on the nature of morbidity and mortality in the UK
- Understand the relationship between theories of health and welfare inequalities and health policies
Unit 16: Social Factors in Health and Social Care
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand sociological factors influencing the relationships between patients and health professionals
- Understand the role of social motivational factors in health and ill health
- Understand the significance of social support networks in health care and maintenance
Unit 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.
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: Equality and Diversity within Healthcare
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand equality and diversity within health care
- Understand the rights of the individual in a health care setting.
- Understand the impact of equality and diversity legislation on health care provision
Requirements
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 and Health). Of these credits, 45 will be taken from graded units which focus on academic content. The remaining 15 come from ungraded units included to help you advance your study skills.
The approximate amount of time required to complete the course is 360 hours.
Qualifications
Open College Network West Midlands
On successful completion of the Open College Network West Midlands Access to Higher Education Diploma (Social Science and Health) you will receive a QAA recognised Access to HE Diploma at level 3 (QAA ref: (40008861).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.
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.
Hear from our past Students
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