Overview
If you aspire to be a healthcare professional but don’t have the qualifications to develop your career, don’t worry. Access to Higher Education Diploma (Health Professionals) will provide you with the opportunity to get back into education, change direction and turn your dreams into a reality.
Access to Higher Education Diplomas are designed for learners who have been out of education for an extended period of time and wish to return to study. They have been created as alternatives to traditional qualifications (e.g. A-levels) and equip students with the knowledge and skills to tackle a university study programme with confidence. Many universities across the UK accept Access to HE Diplomas in place of A-levels and accept applications from students working towards, or holding, this qualification. It is important to check the entry requirements of the universities you wish to apply to, however, as all university admission criteria differ.
Not only could Access to Higher Education Diploma (Health Professionals) be your ticket to university, but it will also prepare you for study at a higher academic level. Modules on academic writing skills and preparing for university learning will teach you to organise your time, write with relevance and summarise for academic purposes, whilst health and science specific units will provide you with the entry knowledge you need to excel on any healthcare course.
Upon successful completion of this course, you will have an excellent understanding of the healthcare sector and will be able to apply for a number of undergraduate degree programmes. An Access to HE Diploma is the first step in your journey towards higher education and, potentially, your desired career.
Why study an Access to Higher Education Diploma with Highbury College?
Once you have enrolled onto your Access to Higher Education Diploma (Health Professionals), you will be given 24/7 online access to interactive and easy-to-follow materials, ranging in topic from the history of the NHS to equality and diversity in healthcare. As part of your study programme, you will also receive support and guidance on your university application so that you can get the most from your diploma.
As this is a distance learning course, our Access to Higher Education Diploma (Health Professionals) is flexible and allows you to study at a pace that suits you. So, don’t worry if you have work commitments or other responsibilities that take up your time. Our Access to Higher Education Diplomas are designed with you and your busy schedule in mind.
Nervous about taking this step towards your future? You needn’t be. Personal tutors are always available to contact for assistance. You will be supported every step of the way.
The amount of time required to complete this course is approximately 600 hours and you’re free to do this in as little as 6 months or over 18 months if you require extra time.
If you’re worried about funding this course, you may be eligible for an Advanced Learner Loan. The minimum loan you can get is £300 and you won’t need to pay anything back until you’re earning at least £25,000 per annum. If you go on to complete an undergraduate degree following your Access to Higher Education Diploma, you won’t have to pay the loan back at all.
Modules for this course
Unit 1: 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 responding to a set, academic writing task.
- Be able to summarise for academic purposes, selecting key points, information or central ideas.
Unit 2: 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 3: Health and Wellbeing
On completion of this unit you will:- Understand the relationship between resilience and mental wellbeing.
- Understand the expression of feelings and emotions and how these could be managed.
- Understand how mental wellbeing can be supported and managed.
Unit 4: Cell Biology
On completion of this unit you will:- Understand the structure and organisation of cells, including stem cells.
- Understand cellular metabolism.
- Understand how cells grow and divide.
Unit 5: 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 6: Human Reproduction, Growth & Development
On completion of this unit you will:- Understand the structure and function of the human reproductive system.
- Understand how hormones regulate the reproductive system throughout life
Unit 7: The Roles & Responsibilities of Health Care Professionals
On completion of this unit you will:- Understand the changes to the roles and responsibilities of a chosen healthcare professional.
- Understand the role of a professional/regulatory body for a healthcare professional, for example HCPC and Nursing and Midwifery Council.
- Understand the multidisciplinary approach to healthcare.
Unit 8: 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 9: Human Nutrition & The Digestive System
On completion of this unit you will:- Understand the structure and functions of the organs of the digestive system.
- Understand nutrients and their sources.
- Understand the components of a healthy diet and the consequences of an unhealthy diet.
Unit 10: 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 healthcare and maintenance.
Unit 11: The Human Endocrine & Nervous System
On completion of this unit you will:- Understand the anatomy, organisation and function of the nervous system.
- Understand how the endocrine system co-ordinates body functions.
- Understand the role of the nervous and endocrine systems homeostasis.
Unit 12: Understanding Dementia
On completion of this unit you will:- Understand dementia
- Understand types of dementia
- Understand the medical and social models of dementia
- Understand an individual’s experience of dementia
Unit 13: The Human Muscular and Skeletal System
On completion of this unit you will:- Understand the anatomy, organisation and function of the muscular system
- Understand the anatomy, organisation and function of the skeletal system
- Understand how the muscular system and skeletal system interact in locomotion
Unit 14: Classification and Use of Social Drugs and Medicines
On completion of this unit you will:- Understand why different types of social drugs are used
- Understand the classification of medicines and controlled drugs
- Understand the impact of the use of social drugs and medicines on the individual and society
Unit 15: Mental Health and Illness
On completion of this unit you will:- Understand the difficulties in defining normality and abnormality
- Understand a psychological disorder
- Understand treatments used to treat people with psychological disorders
Unit 16: Human Immunity
On completion of this unit you will:- Understand non-specific defences against disease.
- Understand specific immunity.
- Understand the biology of vaccination.
Unit 17: Understanding Poverty
On completion of this unit you will:- Understand definitions of poverty.
- Understand ways of measuring poverty.
- Understand the extent of poverty in contemporary Britain
- Understand explanations of poverty
Unit 18: Human Disease & Prevention
On completion of this unit you will:- Understand the categories and causes of disease using infectious disease to illustrate your answer.
- Understand the epidemiology of commonly occurring diseases/conditions.
- Understand preventative measures for a chosen disease or condition.
Unit 19: Equality and Diversity within Healthcare
On completion of this unit you will:- Understand equality and diversity within healthcare.
- Understand the rights of the individual in a healthcare setting.
- Understand the impact of equality and diversity legislation for healthcare.
Requirements
To start an Access to Higher Education Diploma you will need an English and maths GCSE at grade A - C/ 4 - 9 or a Functional Skills Level 2 qualification in both subjects.
Access to Higher Education Diplomas fulfil the entry criteria for range of different university courses and are suitable for the UCAS application process. However, it is advantageous to check the requirements of each establishment that you want to apply to before submitting your application in order to avoid disappointment. Admission criteria may include, but is not limited to:
- Having a set number of credits attained at Merit or Distinction level
- Attendance and success at a face-to-face interview at chosen university
- Passing the university’s proprietary literacy and numeracy assessments
- Successful completion of mandatory work placements or work experience
Learners must also undertake their own independent research to ensure that their diploma is properly specified, which will give them the best possible chance of getting into university. The student is responsible for their own research and they should begin this as soon as possible after starting the course. Highbury College will not accept any responsibility or liability if any Access to Higher Education Diploma student fails to secure an offer from a Higher Education institution.
Assessment
Access to Higher Education Diplomas are modular and composed of graded and ungraded units so that you can quickly and easily absorb information in bitesize chunks. At the end of each unit you will complete an assignment which your tutor will evaluate and give you feedback on. The feedback is aimed to show you how effective your piece of work is, its quality, and how you can improve in the future. These assignments are important to your learning process as they are signposts of your progress throughout the course.
In order to achieve this qualification, you will need to have attained a total of 60 learning credits. 45 of these will be taken from graded units for the subjects with academic content, whilst the other 15 units are ungraded units relating to study skills.
In order to successfully complete your diploma you need to pass every unit of the course.
Important notice: Online access is essential for you to access all your course content and submit your assignments.
Following successful completion of this diploma you will be awarded a QAA recognised Access to HE Diploma at level 3 (QAA ref: 40012529). This diploma has been assigned 60 credits.
AIM Qualifications and Assessment Group
AIM Qualifications and Assessment Group is a national Awarding Validating Agency, regulated by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) and Qualifications Wales, to develop, maintain and award nationally recognised qualifications.
AIM Qualifications and Assessment Group work proactively 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. AIM Qualifications and Assessment Group also Quality Endorse organisations internal training and skills delivery.
Developing your career
Access to Higher Education Diploma (Health Professionals) could open a range of academic pathways for you to explore, which in turn may lead to a variety of healthcare careers. For example, you could go on to study an applied science undergraduate degree programme in disciplines including healthcare management, psychology and biology. An undergraduate degree in healthcare or a related science subject could lead to a range of exciting careers depending on your specialities. Some possibilities include:
- Adult nurse
- Dietitian/ Nutritionist
- Social worker
- Occupational therapist
- Counsellor
Whatever your dream career, Access to Higher Education Diploma (Health Professionals) will equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to take your study further and invest in your career.
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Course Fees
Price £3,384.00Payment methods
(No repayments until your salary reaches £27,295)
Further Information
Course ref: 40012529
Course starts: Anytime
Notional Learning Hours: 600
Modules: 19
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