Access to HE Diploma (Health and Social Care)

The Access to Higher Education (HE) Diploma is a Level 3 qualification that prepares 19+ students who are returning to education or who left school without the qualifications needed to progress to university.

This Access to HE Diploma (Health and Social Care) consists of 60 credits of which 30 credits are in Biology. This allows you to progress on to health related as well as various science related degrees.

Biology
This subject consists of six units in which you learn topics such as the human skeleton and muscular system, infectious diseases, cell biology, ecology, and macro molecules. In addition, you will plan and design a practical investigation where you will carry out and analyse and evaluate your findings. Wherever possible, practical experiments are included in the sessions.

Professional Healthcare Practice
This module will prepare you for a role in health by introducing you to the skills and attributes needed to work in the healthcare sector. You will discuss the importance of safeguarding and mental health and wellbeing. You will gain an understanding of health promotion and look at the services available within the health sector and its impact on specific groups within society.

Academic Development and Study Skills
Besides subject knowledge, academic research and writing skills are crucial in helping you with your assignments on the Access to HE Diploma as well as preparing you for your future studies at higher levels. This subject will help you to identify your own skills and those required to progress to a degree and/ or future employment. We will support you with your UCAS application and prepare you for interviews.

You are expected to attend all timetabled classes (2.5 days per week) and in addition you are required to do some independent study. Most sessions are scheduled in a biology laboratory, regular classrooms, and computer rooms. There will be some ‘live’ on-line teaching and learning depending on the subjects.

We encourage all our students to volunteer or work in a field that relates to your future career. This is an intense course and you need to be 100% committed to your studies.
There are no tuition fees for anybody under the age of 24 with no full level 3 qualification. If you are 19+ with a full level 3 qualification, or are 24+ you can apply for an Advanced Learner Loan to pay for the tuition fees. “Student Finance England will ‘write off’ any outstanding Advanced Learner Loan balances you owe for an Access to HE course once you complete a higher education course. This means you do not have to repay it”. For more information: Advanced Learner Loan - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

In the weekly tutorial session, you will be tracking your progress, reflecting on feedback received and plan how to keep improving your academic skills.
You will receive feedback from your subject tutors on all coursework and have 1:1 tutorials with both your subject tutors and with your personal tutor.