Psychology Access to Higher Education Diploma

Studying psychology allows you to explore the mind and understand the different ways people think, behave and feel. You will also look at how things that have happened in your past can influence your future actions, reactions, and relationships. You can study behaviour from childhood to adulthood as well as the methods behind a diagnosis.

The Access to HE (Psychology) Diploma will give you the relevant knowledge needed to study psychology or a related social science at degree level. You will cover many units including:

• Ethical issues in Psychological Research
• Crime and Deviance
• Explanations of the Development of Individual Differences

Click on the Modules tab for a full list of all units in this diploma.

Entry Requirements

• You will need GCSE English at Grade A-C (9-4) or equivalent (Level 2 Functional Skills) and GCSE Maths at Grade A-C (9-4) or equivalent (Level 2 Functional Skills) - you will need to provide us with written evidence from your chosen Universities that they will accept Functional Skills for your year of entry to University
• Some Universities will only accept GCSEs to meet entry requirements. They will also require you to have additional GCSEs at Grade A-C (4-9) for some courses, including a science for some pathways
• As the course is fully online you must have strong ICT skills to enable you to cope with the demands of the course
• You will also need to have your own laptop

University Entry Criteria: Each university will set its own admission criteria. You will need to check the entry requirements of your chosen university and course.

The specialist Access tutors alongside the ACE/ Careers team at Riverside College can support you with your application to university. You are likely to require:

• A certain number of credits passed with a merit or a distinction grade* (see the Modules tab for the individual modules included in this course)
• GCSE Grade C/4 or above in Maths and English alongside literacy and numeracy assessments provided by the university
• A face-to-face interview at the university
• Course-related work placements or work experience

*You must check that your Access to HE Diploma will be accepted as part of these entry requirements for your chosen degree.

Course Fees:

Fee: £3,384

You can apply for an ADVANCED LEARNER LOAN; the Loan eligibility does not depend on your income and there are no credit checks. The loan will cover the full cost of your Access Course, this will be written off when you complete your degree – saving you up to £9,000 in fees and not using any of your Student Loans allowance.

Assessments:

There are no exams on the Access to HE course, you will be assessed via academic reports, essays, case study analysis, illustrated mind map, illustrated report, worksheet, journal article, portfolio, academic poster, presentation (video and audio recording), revision guide, series of questions, academic writing skills tasks.

Why choose Riverside College:

• Flexible online learning for your Access to Higher Education qualifications with the support of weekly face-to-face drop-in support sessions when and if needed*
• Initial face-to-face induction to fully prepare you for your studies
• Up to six hours per week of drop-in support sessions with tutors when needed (Daytime and Evening sessions available)
• Interactive online sessions (Assessed and marked online).
• Access college facilities including the Learning Resource Centre, Study Rooms with PCs and printing, UCAS support, and bursaries
• Streamline your qualification to fit into your spare time giving you the option to complete the Access to Higher Education faster.
• Social groups offering tutor and peer support and encouragement.
• Ofsted Outstanding Access teaching and support teams
• Dedicated specialist Access teachers with over 10 years' experience in successfully supporting adults to progress onto degrees
• Study for FREE, saving up to £9,000 in fees AND you won’t use up any of your Student Loans allowance. See the ADVANCED LEARNER LOAN for more details.

Career

After you successfully complete the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Psychology) you can apply to university to study psychology or a similar social science degree. With a degree in psychology, you could become an:

• Assistant Psychologist
• Domestic Abuse Worker
• Head of Learning and Professional Development
• HR Director
• Lecturer in Policing
• National Crime Agency (NCA) Officer
• Occupational Therapy Support Officer
• Wellbeing Lead