Access to Higher Education – Health & Social Care
Qualification Gained: ASCENTIS Access to HE Diploma (Health and Social Care)
Study LevelLevel 3 Course TypeAccess to Higher Education Duration1 Year Start DateSeptember 2025 Study ModeFull-time LocationDavid Hockney BuildingOverview
This course is ideal if you are interested in a career in the social care sector.
It will provide you with the essential knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to pursue a successful career in health or social care related fields.
You’ll explore key topics such as social policy, ethics, human development, and the role of social care in society. Whether you’re looking to progress to university or begin a career in the sector, this course offers a supportive and engaging pathway to help you achieve your goals.
You will engage with a range of dynamic modules, including topics such as crime, mental health and wellbeing, safeguarding, and the principles of effective communication in health and social care. The course also covers key areas like sociology, psychology, and the impact of families and personal relationships on social care, offering you a deeper understanding of human behavior and societal issues.
The course is ideal as a gateway to progression to a degree in Social Work, Youth and Community Development, Health and Social Welfare, Counselling, Psychology and Community Settings, Childhood and Youth Studies and Social Nutrition and Health.
Additionally, you’ll develop vital skills for studying and research, as well as gain proficiency in ICT and presentation software to support your academic journey. Whether you’re aiming to continue your education or step into the social care field, this course provides a solid and engaging foundation to help you succeed.
Key Info
You will develop skills in:
- Independent Research
- Referencing (Harvard)
- Critical Thinking and Evaluative skills
- Word Processing (including the use of footnotes)
- Time Management
- ILT (Information and Learning Technology – including the use of Virtual Learning Environments and the library online.
- Solving or offering solutions to problems
- Crime
- Developing Skills for Studying
- Effective Communication in Health and Social Care
- Families, Households and Personal Relations
- Health and Social Care Provision
- ICT – Presentation Software
- Interpersonal Communication
- Introduction to Sociology: Culture and Identity
- Introduction to Psychology
- Memory
- Mental Health and Wellbeing
- Planning and Carrying Out Research in Sociology
- Principles of Safeguarding in Health and Social Care
- Preparing to Progress
- Sociological Theories and Their Application to Contemporary Society
- Treating Disorders
Entry to this course requires GCSE English Language and Maths at a grade 4 or C or equivalent.
You are at least 19 years old on 1st September.
It is your responsibility to check that your Mathematics and English Language qualifications are accepted for the Higher Education Institution course you wish to eventually apply for. When applying to join an Access to HE course, please state on the application form that you require the Social Care pathway.
Induction for this course will begin at the start of September.
You will have both formative and summative assessments for each unit. Formative assessments will be continuous and check your learning and understanding. These will include quizzes, online practice assessments and self-marked, reflective work. Summative assessments will be assessed through a range of assessment methods for example, reports; essays; presentations.
Successful completion of this course can lead to progression to further study, Higher Education or employment in the Health and Social Care sector.
If you have any questions or require any additional information, please contact [email protected]
Disclaimer: Our prospectus, college documents and website are simply here to offer a guide. We accept no liability for any inaccurate statements and are not responsible for any negative outcomes if you rely on an inaccurate statement. We reserve the right to withdraw any programmes or service at any time.
