Access to Higher Education Diploma (Education)

The Access to HE Diploma is a full Level 3 qualification designed to prepare learners without traditional qualifications for entry into Higher Education (HE). The Diploma provides opportunity for learners to acquire and develop knowledge and skills needed to progress to higher education study and also enables learners to develop social and emotional skills such as communication and confidence.

To achieve the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Education) Ref. 400/1038/7 learners must achieve:

• 45 credits which must be graded, academic subject content at Level 3 only, 
• 15 credits which must be either at Level 2 or Level 3 ungraded (U).

The following are the Core Unit titles for this Diploma:

• Preparing To Study (U)
• Academic Writing Skills (U)
• The Developing Child
• Safeguarding in Education
• Disability and Special Education Needs
• Managing Behaviour in the Classroom
• An Introduction to Planning for Classroom Teaching
• Applied Research Skills (U)
• Progressing to Higher Education (U)

The following are the Specialist Pathway Unit titles for this Diploma. Ideal for those looking at joining the Education profession within a specialist subject area:

General Education and Teaching Practices Pathway

• The Development of Education
• Sociology of Education
• Roles, Responsibilities & Relationships in Education
• Psychology of Education
• Communication and Practice in the Classroom
• Equality of Opportunities in Practice
• Ethnicity and Citizenship in Modern Britain
• Language, Communication and Communities
• Language and Social Media
• Literature and Cultural Identity

Mathematics Pathway

• Inferential Statistics
• Numerical and Algebraic Techniques
• Graphical Techniques
• Algebraic Methods
• Trigonometry
• Calculus
• Numerical Methods
• Communication and Practice in the Classroom
• Psychology of Education

Biological Science Pathway

• Body Systems and Homeostasis
• Cell Biology
• DNA, Protein Synthesis and Cell Division
• Microbiology
• Human Reproduction, Growth & Development
• Respiration & Circulation
• Plant Biology

Environmental Science Pathway

• Ecology, Ecosystems & Environmental Management
• Environmental Issues
• Environmental Science
• Communication and Practice in the Classroom
• Psychology of Education
• Roles, Responsibilities and Relationships in Education
• Sociology of Education
• The Development of Education

Historical Studies Pathway

• Historical Debate
• Historical Sources
• Hitler’s Germany
• Industrial Change in Britain c1700 - 1850
• Introduction to Political Ideologies
• Mercantilism, the Slave Trade and British Commercialism
• The Nature of History: Sources of Historical Evidence
• The First World War and Its Impact on Empire

Language and Literature Studies Pathway

• Literature and Cultural Identity
• Language, Communication & Communities
• Language Development & Reading Skills
• Comparative Study of Cross-Genre Prose Text
• Drama
• Exploring Plays
• Poetry
• Shakespeare
• Study of a Novel

There are no formal entry requirements for students applying for the Cambridge Online Education Access to H.E. Diplomas. Tutors are nevertheless, required to ensure that learners admitted onto the Diploma possess the necessary skills and personal qualities to cope with the demands of the course.

All Access to HE Diplomas require the achievement of 60 credits. 45 of the 60 credits must be graded at Level 3 (pass, merit or distinction). Such credits will arise from the Academic Subject Content Modules. The remaining 15 credits are ungraded and can be achieved at either Level 2 or Level 3. Students may only be registered against units with a maximum combined total credit value of 60. In terms of the length of time required for a learner to complete their diploma, for all Access to HE Diplomas the notional learning hours are 600. Notional learning hours comprise all learning that may be relevant to the achievement of the learning outcomes including directed and private study, practical and project work, assignments and assessment time. The assessment methods used for each unit of your course will be detailed in the Programme Handbook. Your tutor will provide you with formative feedback and provisional grades. Your grades will be then evaluated by the Examination Board. Final grades will be released to students after the External Moderation Visit.

On successful completion of the course, you will receive a QAA recognised Access to Higher Education Diploma (Education) at level 3 awarded by the Aim Qualifications and Assessment Group.

Aim Qualifications and Assessment Group are a national Awarding Organisation, regulated by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) and Qualifications Wales, to develop and award nationally recognised qualifications. Cambridge Online Education is a fully accredited education provider for this qualification

There are many different careers in education, from classroom teaching to working in the business world.

You can become:

• Early Years Teacher
• Primary School Teacher
• Secondary School Teacher, provided you specialise in a specific subject area
• Special Educational Needs Teacher
• Counsellor
• School inspector
• Teacher Trainer
• Education Academic
• Teacher recruiter for a college or career centre
• After-school program or a camp director,
• Curriculum designer
• Educational content developer
• Corporate trainer hired by businesses to teach a new skill, 
• Life coach

Careers in education are versatile and seem to be endless. With a degree in Education, you can try different options before finding your passion. It is up to you where you want your degree to take you, and what will best suit your personal and professional abilities, skills and desires. As different universities have different entry requirements, you are strongly advised to check these requirements with your chosen tertiary education provider. You can contact our career advisers for further guidance and support in that matter.