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Access to Higher Education Diploma (Humanities & Social Sciences) – Humanities pathway

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OUR PASS RATE
Access to Higher Education Diplomas (National Average 78.4%)
88%

This Course at a Glance

  • University entry without A-Levels
  • Degrees in sociology, psychology & more
  • Prepares for university study
  • Online study at home
  • Dedicated tutor support
  • No exams
  • SALE Savings End Midnight Wednesday 30th September
  • SALE Savings End Midnight Wednesday 30th September
RECOMMENDED OPTION
Add GCSE English Language and Maths - save 5% buying as a bundle

Access to Higher Education Diploma (Humanities & Social Sciences) – Humanities pathway

This Course at a Glance

  • University entry without A-Levels
  • Degrees in sociology, psychology & more
  • Prepares for university study
  • Online study at home
  • Dedicated tutor support
  • No exams

About Your Diploma

For anyone keen to pursue a degree in sociology, psychology, history, or other subjects related to social sciences or humanities, gaining foundational knowledge will put you in a strong position ahead of your university studies.

The Access to Humanities and Social Sciences – Humanities Pathway is a Level 3 qualification that not only provides you with essential knowledge but is the equivalent of 3 A-Levels. This means that if you don’t possess traditional qualifications to get into university, then an Access to Higher Education Diploma is a solid alternative.

During your studies, you will explore the intricacies of human behaviour and mental processes, gain insights into significant historical events and their societal impacts, and enhance your literary analysis skills through the study of classic and contemporary works.

The course also offers critical perspectives on societal issues, governance, justice, and ethical considerations, while providing a vital understanding of contemporary socio-economic challenges. This pathway not only broadens your knowledge but also cultivates the analytical and critical thinking skills essential for higher education and beyond.

What Happens After Your Course?

Turn your diploma into a degree

Our Progression Service helps you explore options and apply to university

Getting Started

To help keep you on track with your studies, you will be given an Individual Learning Plan (ILP), which will detail the submission deadlines of your assignments, creating a clear schedule for you to follow. The course is delivered entirely online, so you can learn from the comfort of your own home.

You have a level of freedom that does not come with classroom learning, and while there are deadlines to meet, you are able to fit your study time around your existing commitments. As soon as you enrol on the course, you will be given instant access to all the course materials you need.

Our student portal has everything neatly organised for you in one place, and you will benefit from the expertise of dedicated tutors and our Access Support Team.

Unlike A-Levels, in which you need to study for around two years to achieve the qualifications, you can gain your Access to Higher Education Diploma in less than a year! When you enrol, you have two years to complete the course, but learndirect students take 9 months, on average, to achieve their qualification.

Modules

Unit 1: Academic Writing Skills

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

  • Be able to structure a written response
  • Be able to develop a structured response to a plan
  • Be able to present the response appropriately for audience and purpose
  • Understand how to apply academic writing principles to own work

Unit 2: Reading and Note Making

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

  • Understand a range of reading strategies
  • Understand the use of language in terms of the purpose and context of a range of texts
  • Be able to use methods for developing notes from a range of sources

Unit 3: Perspectives in Psychology

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

  • Understand different psychological perspectives
  • Understand the differences between alternative psychological perspectives
  • Be able to apply psychological perspectives to contemporary issues in psychology

Unit 4: Crime and Society

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

  • Understand crime and deviance
  • Understand crime statistics
  • Be able to evaluate theoretical explanations of crime
  • Know social and cultural patterns of crime and criminality

Unit 5: Developmental Psychology

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

  • Be able to evaluate the nature/nurture debate in developmental psychology
  • Understand early socialisation and the formation of attachment
  • Understand cognitive development and the ways in which children process and use information
  • Know the application of development psychology theories in the real world
  • Understand psychological changes that accompany ageing

Unit 6: Family

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

  • Understand the relationship between the family and the wider society
  • Understand role relationships within the family
  • Be able to evaluate the influence of feminism on the study of the family

Unit 7: Cognitive Psychology

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

  • Understand theories relating to cognitive psychology
  • Be able to analyse the contribution of cognitive psychology research to our understanding of cognitive processes
  • Be able to evaluate the effectiveness cognitive psychology theories to real-world situations

Unit 8: Social Inequality

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

  • Understand the relationship between social differentiation and social inequality
  • Understand the main theoretical perspectives on social inequality
  • Be able to analyse and evaluate how class, gender and ethnicity influence opportunities available to people

Unit 9: Psychological Disorders and Therapeutic Strategies

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

  • Understand theoretical explanations for a psychological disorder
  • Understand the theoretical basis for different therapeutic strategies used in the treatment of psychological disorders
  • Be able to evaluate the effectiveness of different treatments for psychological disorders

Unit 10: Male and Female Speech

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

  • Understanding the features of male and female speech
  • Understand theories and approaches to male and female speech
  • Be able to apply theories of language and gender to examples of speech

Unit 11: Poverty in Contemporary Britain

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

  • Be able to evaluate definitions and theoretical explanations of poverty
  • Understand the historical context and changes in poverty in Britain
  • Understand the different methods used to measure poverty
  • Be able to evaluate recent policies for tackling poverty in Britain

Unit 12: Human Rights

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

  • Understand the development of human rights
  • Know the Rights protected by the Human Right Act 1998
  • Be able to evaluate impact of the Human Rights Act 1998

Unit 13: Social and Economic Change in 19th Century Britain

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

  • Understand agricultural change and the development of industrialisation in 19th century Britain
  • Understand the causes and effects of rapid urban growth in 19th century Britain
  • Be able to evaluate evidence of social and political protest in 19th century Britain

Unit 14: Social Media and the Use and Change in Language

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

  • Understand the use of language across social media platforms
  • Understand the impact of social media usage on language
  • Be able to assess the role of social media in shaping public discourse and opinion

Unit 15: Political Ideologies

On completion of this unit you will:

  • Understand the various definitions of politics
  • Understand a range of political theoretical perspectives
  • Be able to evaluate the application of political ideologies to contemporary political issues

Unit 16: Current Issues in Criminology

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

  • Understand and apply key concepts in criminology to two topic areas
  • Be able to analyse different approaches to crime issues
  • Be able to assess the usefulness of different theories of crime for understanding to two topic areas

In addition to the qualification units, you will also be required to complete a course induction which comprises of three short introductory tasks to support the development of your academic study skills.

Entry Requirements

To study an Access to HE Diploma you must be resident in the UK and have a UK postcode.

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 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

Access to HE Diplomas are designed to support students to progress to university who have substantial experience of life outside of formal education which they have gained since completing compulsory schooling.

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: essay, scenario analysis, illustrated report, experiment, presentation (video and audio recording), series of questions, academic writing skills tasks.

In addition to the qualification units, you will also be required to complete a course induction which comprises of three short introductory tasks to support the development of your academic study skills.

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 completed and passed the course induction 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.

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 Humanities and Social Sciences – Humanities Pathway. 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.

In addition to the qualification units, you will also be required to complete a course induction which comprises of three short introductory tasks to support the development of your academic 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.

Skills & Education Group Access

Skills & Education Group Access logo

On successful completion of the Access to Humanities and Social Sciences – Humanities Pathway, (QAA aim code: 40012888), you will receive a Skills & Education Group Access, QAA recognised, Access to Higher Education Diploma at Level 3. 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.

An access validating agency with a strong social purpose to recognise achievement, particularly for those who have benefited least from their previous educational experiences, Skills and Education Group Access supports the needs of learners, providers, businesses and communities by enabling progression into higher education.

Career

With this diploma, pursue degrees in politics, criminology, or psychology. Gain skills valued by employers, preparing you for diverse career paths in humanities and social sciences.

Further Qualifications and Prospects

Advance your career with further qualifications. For teaching, gain QTS; for psychology, a postgraduate degree may be needed. This diploma is your starting point.

  • SALE Savings End Midnight Wednesday 30th September
  • SALE Savings End Midnight Wednesday 30th September
RECOMMENDED OPTION
Add GCSE English Language and Maths - save 5% buying as a bundle

Access to Higher Education Diploma (Humanities & Social Sciences) – Humanities pathway

This Course at a Glance

  • University entry without A-Levels
  • Degrees in sociology, psychology & more
  • Prepares for university study
  • Online study at home
  • Dedicated tutor support
  • No exams

About Your Diploma

For anyone keen to pursue a degree in sociology, psychology, history, or other subjects related to social sciences or humanities, gaining foundational knowledge will put you in a strong position ahead of your university studies.

The Access to Humanities and Social Sciences – Humanities Pathway is a Level 3 qualification that not only provides you with essential knowledge but is the equivalent of 3 A-Levels. This means that if you don’t possess traditional qualifications to get into university, then an Access to Higher Education Diploma is a solid alternative.

During your studies, you will explore the intricacies of human behaviour and mental processes, gain insights into significant historical events and their societal impacts, and enhance your literary analysis skills through the study of classic and contemporary works.

The course also offers critical perspectives on societal issues, governance, justice, and ethical considerations, while providing a vital understanding of contemporary socio-economic challenges. This pathway not only broadens your knowledge but also cultivates the analytical and critical thinking skills essential for higher education and beyond.

What Happens After Your Course?

Turn your diploma into a degree

Our Progression Service helps you explore options and apply to university

Getting Started

To help keep you on track with your studies, you will be given an Individual Learning Plan (ILP), which will detail the submission deadlines of your assignments, creating a clear schedule for you to follow. The course is delivered entirely online, so you can learn from the comfort of your own home.

You have a level of freedom that does not come with classroom learning, and while there are deadlines to meet, you are able to fit your study time around your existing commitments. As soon as you enrol on the course, you will be given instant access to all the course materials you need.

Our student portal has everything neatly organised for you in one place, and you will benefit from the expertise of dedicated tutors and our Access Support Team.

Unlike A-Levels, in which you need to study for around two years to achieve the qualifications, you can gain your Access to Higher Education Diploma in less than a year! When you enrol, you have two years to complete the course, but learndirect students take 9 months, on average, to achieve their qualification.

Modules

Unit 1: Academic Writing Skills

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

  • Be able to structure a written response
  • Be able to develop a structured response to a plan
  • Be able to present the response appropriately for audience and purpose
  • Understand how to apply academic writing principles to own work

Unit 2: Reading and Note Making

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

  • Understand a range of reading strategies
  • Understand the use of language in terms of the purpose and context of a range of texts
  • Be able to use methods for developing notes from a range of sources

Unit 3: Perspectives in Psychology

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

  • Understand different psychological perspectives
  • Understand the differences between alternative psychological perspectives
  • Be able to apply psychological perspectives to contemporary issues in psychology

Unit 4: Crime and Society

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

  • Understand crime and deviance
  • Understand crime statistics
  • Be able to evaluate theoretical explanations of crime
  • Know social and cultural patterns of crime and criminality

Unit 5: Developmental Psychology

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

  • Be able to evaluate the nature/nurture debate in developmental psychology
  • Understand early socialisation and the formation of attachment
  • Understand cognitive development and the ways in which children process and use information
  • Know the application of development psychology theories in the real world
  • Understand psychological changes that accompany ageing

Unit 6: Family

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

  • Understand the relationship between the family and the wider society
  • Understand role relationships within the family
  • Be able to evaluate the influence of feminism on the study of the family

Unit 7: Cognitive Psychology

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

  • Understand theories relating to cognitive psychology
  • Be able to analyse the contribution of cognitive psychology research to our understanding of cognitive processes
  • Be able to evaluate the effectiveness cognitive psychology theories to real-world situations

Unit 8: Social Inequality

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

  • Understand the relationship between social differentiation and social inequality
  • Understand the main theoretical perspectives on social inequality
  • Be able to analyse and evaluate how class, gender and ethnicity influence opportunities available to people

Unit 9: Psychological Disorders and Therapeutic Strategies

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

  • Understand theoretical explanations for a psychological disorder
  • Understand the theoretical basis for different therapeutic strategies used in the treatment of psychological disorders
  • Be able to evaluate the effectiveness of different treatments for psychological disorders

Unit 10: Male and Female Speech

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

  • Understanding the features of male and female speech
  • Understand theories and approaches to male and female speech
  • Be able to apply theories of language and gender to examples of speech

Unit 11: Poverty in Contemporary Britain

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

  • Be able to evaluate definitions and theoretical explanations of poverty
  • Understand the historical context and changes in poverty in Britain
  • Understand the different methods used to measure poverty
  • Be able to evaluate recent policies for tackling poverty in Britain

Unit 12: Human Rights

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

  • Understand the development of human rights
  • Know the Rights protected by the Human Right Act 1998
  • Be able to evaluate impact of the Human Rights Act 1998

Unit 13: Social and Economic Change in 19th Century Britain

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

  • Understand agricultural change and the development of industrialisation in 19th century Britain
  • Understand the causes and effects of rapid urban growth in 19th century Britain
  • Be able to evaluate evidence of social and political protest in 19th century Britain

Unit 14: Social Media and the Use and Change in Language

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

  • Understand the use of language across social media platforms
  • Understand the impact of social media usage on language
  • Be able to assess the role of social media in shaping public discourse and opinion

Unit 15: Political Ideologies

On completion of this unit you will:

  • Understand the various definitions of politics
  • Understand a range of political theoretical perspectives
  • Be able to evaluate the application of political ideologies to contemporary political issues

Unit 16: Current Issues in Criminology

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

  • Understand and apply key concepts in criminology to two topic areas
  • Be able to analyse different approaches to crime issues
  • Be able to assess the usefulness of different theories of crime for understanding to two topic areas

In addition to the qualification units, you will also be required to complete a course induction which comprises of three short introductory tasks to support the development of your academic study skills.

Entry Requirements

To study an Access to HE Diploma you must be resident in the UK and have a UK postcode.

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 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

Access to HE Diplomas are designed to support students to progress to university who have substantial experience of life outside of formal education which they have gained since completing compulsory schooling.

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: essay, scenario analysis, illustrated report, experiment, presentation (video and audio recording), series of questions, academic writing skills tasks.

In addition to the qualification units, you will also be required to complete a course induction which comprises of three short introductory tasks to support the development of your academic study skills.

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 completed and passed the course induction 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.

Excellent Marking

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 Humanities and Social Sciences – Humanities Pathway. 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.

In addition to the qualification units, you will also be required to complete a course induction which comprises of three short introductory tasks to support the development of your academic 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

Skills & Education Group Access

Skills & Education Group Access logo

On successful completion of the Access to Humanities and Social Sciences – Humanities Pathway, (QAA aim code: 40012888), you will receive a Skills & Education Group Access, QAA recognised, Access to Higher Education Diploma at Level 3. 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.

An access validating agency with a strong social purpose to recognise achievement, particularly for those who have benefited least from their previous educational experiences, Skills and Education Group Access supports the needs of learners, providers, businesses and communities by enabling progression into higher education.

Career

With this diploma, pursue degrees in politics, criminology, or psychology. Gain skills valued by employers, preparing you for diverse career paths in humanities and social sciences.

Further Qualifications and Prospects

Advance your career with further qualifications. For teaching, gain QTS; for psychology, a postgraduate degree may be needed. This diploma is your starting point.

OUR PASS RATE
Access to Higher Education Diplomas
88%
(National Average 78.4%)
Accreditation by Skills & Education Group Access
100% online
learning
15 units
600 notional
learning hours

Rated by our learners

Rated Excellent by our learners

4.5 out of 5

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Scott was absolutely incredible over the phone! Very clear and concise, easy to follow along with, made me feel very welcome and excited about starting my studies! He was more than happy to answer any questions I had and did so in depth, he laid out all the payment options clearly for me and helped me take these next steps and for that I’m very thankful. He was amazing, couldn’t have asked for anyone better!

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