Access to Higher Education Diploma (Health Science Professions)

Access to Higher Education Diploma (Health Science Professions)

This Course at a Glance

• Make the move into a professional healthcare career
• Gain the equivalent of three A Levels
• A popular way to meet university entry requirements
• Flexible learning; study when it suits, at your pace
• Complete your healthcare course over 24 months
• Various payment methods available
• 100% online learning
• No exams

About Your Diploma

There are so many interesting and meaningful roles in healthcare, from Doctors to Dentists, Nurses to Midwives and more. Each plays an important part in helping people stay healthy, whether it’s by improving their physical or mental well-being. Healthcare courses represent the first steps towards achieving these career goals.

Can Online Healthcare Courses Replace Traditional Qualifications?

Many careers in the healthcare sector require you to have studied a degree specific to the area of work you want to go into, such as an approved midwifery degree ahead of registering and practising as a qualified Midwife. This often leaves people feeling their healthcare related career is out of reach if they don’t have the traditional qualifications to meet university entry requirements.

These days, university is much more accessible. A broader range of healthcare training courses are now accepted as adequate preparation for students going into higher level education. So, if you don’t currently hold traditional GCSEs or A Levels, that’s ok. You can take other alternative courses that will lead you down the same path and can get you there in much less time.

We Can Help You Choose the Right Path

If you’re considering a healthcare career but aren’t set on which area to focus on just yet, an Access to Higher Education Diploma (Health Science Professions) is the ideal course to help you get started. It can help you study many areas of healthcare at degree level.

The healthcare course has been designed to introduce you to a broad scope of healthcare practices, providing you with the foundational knowledge required to pursue a career through a degree in one of many potential areas.

This gives you the freedom to find your feet whilst you’re learning. You may feel you’d be more suited to one area of healthcare ahead of enrolling, but modules you’ll explore could ignite an interest to work in another service area instead.

To give you the maximum choice of healthcare degrees at university, you’ll learn about important aspects of many healthcare related careers.

Getting Started

learndirect is a leading UK online learning provider. This Access to Higher Education Diploma (Health Science Professions) is a Level 3 nationally recognised qualification regulated by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA).

Get University Ready in Less than 1 Year

You have up to two years to complete this course, but the flexibility of online learning means most of our students finish their Access to Higher Education Diploma within 9 months. So, you can study from the comfort of home and around your existing commitments.

We Help You Stay on Track

You will be provided with an Individual Learning Plan that outlines the submission deadlines for your assignments to keep you on track throughout your studies.

*Please note, entry requirements differ between universities. It’s always best to check with your chosen institution that your qualification will be accepted before enrolling on an online healthcare course.

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: Healthcare Communication

Upon successful completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the main methods of communication
• Understand the barriers to communication
• Understand the value of developing good communication skills within the context of the health service
• Understand the importance of confidentiality and record keeping

Unit 4: Exploring the Structure and Function of Cells

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand cellular structure and organisation
• Understand cellular activity
• Understand the cell cycle

Unit 5: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Healthcare

On completion of this unit you will:

• Know the key concepts related to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)
• Understand key legislation and regulations related to EDI healthcare
• Understand how EDI issues are managed in healthcare settings

Unit 6: Nutrition and Digestion

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the concept of a balanced diet
• Understand the structure and function of the human digestive system

Unit 7: Professionalism and Multidisciplinary Teams

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the impact of changes to the roles and responsibilities of a chosen health care professional
• Understand regulation as a chosen health care professional
• Understand the multidisciplinary team working in a chosen health care

Unit 8: Human Musculoskeletal System

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the human skeleton and how it relates to locomotion
• Know how muscles contract
• Understand the development of bone

Unit 9: Perspectives in Psychology

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand different psychological perspectives
• Understand the differences between alternative psychological perspectives
• Understand the application of psychological perspectives to contemporary issues in psychology

Unit 10: Endocrine System

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand terms hormone and endocrine gland
• Understand homeostasis and feedback mechanisms
• Understand the action of hormones

Unit 11: Human Reproduction Growth and 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
• Understand the sequence of events from conception to childbirth

Unit 12: Mental Health

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand how society determines and responds to a range of behaviours experienced by individuals suffering from mental ill health
• Understand the influence of biological, social and environmental factors in relation to mental health
• Understand and evaluate different strategies for therapy and care of mental health disorders

Unit 13: Nervous System

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the basic structure and function of the nervous system
• Understand the nature of nerve impulses
• Understand the prinicples of synaptic transmission

Unit 14: Poverty in Contemporary Britain

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand definitions of poverty
• Understand the historical context of poverty in Britain
• Understand the different methods used to measure poverty
• Understand theoretical explanations of poverty
• Understand explanations about why certain social groups are more likely to experience poverty
• Understand recent policies for tackling poverty in Britain

Unit 15: Infection and Immunity

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the contributions of Snow, Semmelweiss, Pasteur, Jenner and Koch to the understanding of infectious disease
• Understand how the human body responds to infection
• Understand the cause and transmission of different pathogens
• Understand how infections can be prevented by vaccination
• Understand the mechanism of action of antibiotics

Unit 16: Health Promotion

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand current models of health promotion
• Understand the role of current initiatives in promoting good health
• Understand the role of current agencies or organisations that contribute to improving public health

Unit 17: The Cause and Control of Disease

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand categories and causes of human disease
• Understand the epidemiology of a named disease
• Understand measures for disease prevention

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: academic report, essay, case study analysis, illustrated report, journal article, portfolio, academic poster, presentation (video and audio recording), revision guide, series of questions, academic writing skills tasks

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 passed unit 2 of your course 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.

The assessment process of our healthcare training courses consists of the following:

Assignments

A range of units make up this online healthcare course, with an assignment being issued at the end of each. You will submit your work to your tutor for marking and tailored feedback.

Credits

You must acquire 60 credits in total in order to achieve the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Health Science Professions). The credits are split into the following two categories:

• Graded – 45 credits come from graded units, which focus on the academic subject
• Ungraded – 15 credits come from ungraded units, such as writing and study skills

As part of your distance learning healthcare courses, 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

On successful completion of the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Health Science Professions), (QAA aim code: 40012876), 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

The professional opportunities you can work towards once you’ve completed this Access to Higher Education Diploma (Health Science Professions) is extensive to say the least.

Throughout the online healthcare course, you’ll have gained detailed insight into many areas of healthcare. This will enable you to make an informed decision on your degree and subsequent career path upon completion.

Depending on your interests, and the acceptance of Access to Higher Education Diplomas as part of the entry requirements, you could study degrees in:

• Occupational Therapy
• Physiotherapy
• Nursing
• Counselling or Psychotherapy

*Please note, this is not an exhaustive list of degree options and the ones listed are subject to change. Entry requirements for the same course can vary between universities.

Further Qualifications and Prospects

No matter which degree you choose, your options for career progression and specialisation will be ongoing. All healthcare professions require you to complete mandatory CPD healthcare training courses each year to stay up to date with the latest developments. Plus, they can help you align yourself with specialist areas of practice.

There will be online healthcare courses and practical training opportunities to enable you to become a specialist or senior healthcare professional in your field.

You could study:

• Dental Practice Administration
• Understanding Mental Health
• Clinical Nutrition
• Grief and Bereavement Counselling
• Eating Disorders
• Drug, Solvent and Alcohol Misuse Counselling
• Caring for Older People
• Caring for People with Learning Disabilities
• Understanding the Principles of Dementia Care
• End of Life Care

There will also be opportunities to take on additional responsibilities and move into management roles, such as a:

• Ward Manager
• Team Leader
• Dental Practice Manager

Postgraduate qualifications are also a great way to access advanced roles and even move into teaching, lecturing, or researching in your area of healthcare.

Frequently Asked Questions