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Access to Higher Education Diploma
Health & Social Science or Humanities & Social Science
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What is the Access to Higher Education Diploma?
This qualification is designed either for learners who intend to apply for undergraduate degree courses in Health, Law or Social Science or related careers, or for those who simply want to pursue an interest in any of the subject areas available. It prepares learners for university by helping to develop the required knowledge, skills and confidence.
Access Diplomas are a nationally accepted alternative to A levels for entry to higher education and are recognised by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) for higher education and have been available for over 25 years. They are designed, developed and approved with the support of universities and other higher education institutions (HEIs). Each year over 20,000 learners in the UK apply to university having successfully completed an Access course.
When is the course held?
The Access Diploma is a part time, one year course and you would attend on both Monday and Tuesday evenings between 6.00 and 9.00 pm. There may be occasions when you have to attend slightly earlier for one-to-one tutorials.
Who is the course suitable for
The Access Diploma is especially suitable for anyone who is ........
Returning to study after a break
- 19 or over
- prepared to study on both Monday and Tuesday evenings
- interested in applying for degree courses in the future
- keen to study, yet has employment/family commitments too
- keen to study 'purely out of interest'
- wishes to study in a supportive learning environment
Former learners studying the Access to Higher Education Courses have progressed onto careers into nursing, physiotherapy, psychology, counselling, the legal profession, teaching, or have been accepted onto degree programmes.
Which Pathway?
There are two pathways offered at Aquinas College:
1. Health & Social Science Pathway
This pathway will provide a thorough grounding for learners wishing to progress to health related careers or undergraduate study. You will study the following two subject areas:
Health Science
Eight units complete this subject:
- 'Biological Molecules',
- 'Co-ordination and Control',
- 'Diet and Digestion',
- 'Gas Exchange and Transport',
- 'Organisation of the Body',
- 'Pathogens and Disease',
- 'The Human Life Cycle'
- 'Research in Health'.
A portfolio of evidence is compiled containing tests, models, essays, presentations and syllabus notes.
Psychology
Seven units complete this subject:
- 'Social Influence',
- 'Intelligence',
- 'Concepts of Abnormality and Mental Health',
- 'Social Perception',
- 'Pro and Anti-Social Behaviour',
- 'Psychological Perspectives'
- 'Non-verbal Communication'
A portfolio of evidence is compiled containing tests, models, essays, presentations and syllabus notes. These units provide a broad introduction to the study of 'human behaviour'.
All units are assessed and graded at either 'pass', 'credit', or 'distinction'.
Study Skills
The Access programme incorporates units in study skills:
- 'Demonstrating Speaking and Listening',
- 'Improving Punctuation and Grammar',
- 'Personal Development: either Applying for Higher education or Building a Personal Career Portfolio,
- 'Information Technology'
- Statistics.
These units are a mixture of Level 2 and Level 3 and count towards the final credits allocated for the programme.
Entry Requirements:
You will need to have a Grade C or above in GCSE Maths, English and Science. You will be required to do an Initial Assessment prior to enrolment to help us check your skills in order to receive the correct advice and guidance. It is not necessary to have any prior knowledge of any of the subject areas, however having a GCSE in Science will be beneficial.
2. Humanities & Social Science Pathway
This pathway will provide a thorough grounding for learners wishing to progress to social science or related careers or undergraduate study. You will study the following two subject areas:
Law and Criminology
Seven units complete this subject. The Law elements of the course focus on the workings of
- 'The Criminal Process',
- 'The Judiciary and Magistracy'
- 'The Jury System'.
The Criminology aspect of the course covers
- 'The Origins of Criminology',
- 'Sociological Explanations of Crime',
- 'Criminal Justice and Social Policy'
- 'Perspectives of Policing'.
What makes someone a criminal? Is it a person's surroundings and their place in society or is there a biological reason for people turning to crime? Questions such as these will be considered along with the many theorists who have researched this fascinating topic.
Psychology
Eight units complete this subject:
- 'Social Influence',
- 'Intelligence',
- 'Concepts of Abnormality and Mental Health',
- 'Social Perception',
- 'Pro and Anti-Social Behaviour',
- 'Psychological Perspectives',
- 'Non-verbal Communication'
- 'Practical Research Investigation'.
A portfolio of evidence is compiled containing tests, models, essays, presentations and syllabus notes. These units provide a broad introduction to the study of 'human behaviour'.
All units are assessed and graded at either 'pass', 'credit', or 'distinction'.
Study Skills
The Access programme incorporates units in study skills:
- 'Demonstrating Speaking and Listening',
- 'Improving Punctuation and Grammar',
- 'Personal Development: either Applying for Higher education or Building a Personal Career Portfolio,
- 'Information Technology'
- Statistics.
These units are a mixture of Level 2 and Level 3 and count towards the final credits allocated for the programme.
Entry Requirements:
A good level of literacy and numeracy is required, preferably Grade C or above in GCSE Maths/and or English. You will be required to do an Initial Assessment prior to enrolment to help us check your skills in order to receive the correct advice and guidance. It is not necessary to have any prior knowledge of any of the subject areas.
Initial assessment
When you apply we may ask you to take two short assessments on a computer. These are to find out your level of skills in English and maths.
The initial assessments are not tests, they are tools to help us determine what’s the best course for your level of skills. It also lets us know if you need any support with your studies.
The assessment instructions are easy to follow and we’ll help you log on to the system. You will have plenty of time to work through the questions.
If you wish to progress into higher education, you need to be aware that some Higher Educaton Institutions may require you to have a grade C or above in GCSE Maths and/or English, in addition to the Access to Higher Education.
We would advise you to check with the Admissions office at your choice of University in order to verify their entry requirements before you apply for the Access course.
Support
We provide one-to-one support for students needing help with essays etc. or for students with a disability or learning need at any time throughout the period of the course.
Aquinas College has full disabled access.
Help with Fees
(Skills Funding Agency latest guidance -subject to change)
Age 19 to 23: You may be entitled to fee remission if:
- You are in receipt of Job Seekers' Allowance (JSA)
- You are in receipt of Employment Support Allowance (ESA) in the Work Related Activity Group
- Level 3 Entitlement - you qualify for this if you are within the age range and have not completed any A levels
If you are entitled to fee remission, you will need to provide proof of this at enrolment. You will be advised what kind of proof is acceptable.
Students aged 24+: From the 1st April 2013 you may be eligible for a
24+ Advanced Learning Loan from the Student Loan Company. For more information click here.
Who can I speak to if I have any questions?
You can contact us by telephone or email:
Telephone: 0161 419 9163
Graham Cowling (Access Course Co-ordinator): gjcowling@yahoo.co.uk
Sheila Lahan (Adult Centre Manager): sheila@aquinas.ac.uk
How and when can I apply?
Applications for September 2013 will be taken from the 14th January 2013.
STEP 1:
Download and complete an Application Form (this will be available at the bottom of this page from the 14th January 2013). The course handbook available below should be read as it contains more details about the course, attendance, grades, types of assessment etc.
STEP 2:
Once you have completed your Application Form, post or email it to:
Sheila Lahan (Mrs)
Aquinas College Adult Centre
Nangreave Road
STOCKPORT
CHESHIRE SK2 6TH
email: sheila@aquinas.ac.uk
Acknowledgement of your application:
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We will send you an acknowledgement within 5 days of receipt of your application. If you have not heard from us within ten days, please contact our Adult Centre Helpline (0161 419 9163) or email: sheila@aquinas.ac.uk.
Interview and/or our decision about your application
Your application will be processed by the relevant curriculum department and you may be invited to attend an interview.
At the interview you will be required to do Initial Assessments in literacy and numeracy, each lasting approximately 45 minutes. This will help us check your skills in order to receive the correct advice and guidance. Also you will need to demonstrate to the course tutor/advisor that you have the commitment and skills necsssary to successfully complete the course.
For students whose first language is not English, you will be asked to complete Initial Assessments in literacy and numeracy as stated above which will help us place you on the correct course and identify any possible support needs that you may have. It is possible we would recommend you enrol onto an IELTS course prior to commencing Access.
You will be asked to bring to your interview any certificates for qualifications you have listed on your application form.
All applicants will be sent a letter about the outcome of their application.