This Distance Learning course is accredited by the Skills and Education Group (SEG).
The Access to Higher Education Diploma in Psychology is a Level 3 qualification designed to equip you with the credentials needed to progress to university-level study in Psychology.Equivalent to three A-Levels, it is tailored for individuals who left school without the necessary qualifications or those returning to education after an extended break.
Throughout the course, you will develop essential academic skills, including note-taking, essay writing, research techniques, time management, exam preparation, and oral presentation delivery, ensuring you are well-prepared for university-level study.
Studying psychology offers a unique opportunity to explore the complexities of the mind and understand human behavior. You will uncover how people think, feel, and act, as well as the influence of past experiences on their lives.
This course examines a wide range of topics, including forensic psychology in criminal investigations, crime and society, psychological disorders, and therapeutic approaches. It prepares you for university-level study and opens doors to careers in therapy, forensic psychology, teaching, sports psychology, law enforcement, marketing, and wellness.
In addition to academic knowledge, you will develop highly valued skills like communication, critical analysis, methodical thinking, and problem-solving - qualities that make psychology graduates stand out to employers.
This Access to HE Diploma can be started at any point throughout the year, and takes approximately 9-12 months to complete; this means it does not necessarily follow the standard academic year. If you start the course later than September, it is unlikely you will meet the January UCAS deadline to start at university that September.
You will need:
- GCSE grade 4 or above for both English and maths
or - A relevant Level 2 qualification and Functional Skills in English and maths at Level 2*
You will also have an online assessment and interview with our course tutors before completing your enrolment, so we can ensure the course is right for you.
*Some universities do not accept Functional Skills and require GCSEs - please check the entry requirements of your chosen course and universities to ensure you will be eligible to apply.
The assessment process for this course is ongoing and designed to evaluate your progress throughout the year. It includes a combination of:
- Assignments
- Tests
- Exams
Each unit of the course is modular, promoting manageable, bite-sized learning. Every unit consists of smaller components called Assessment Criteria. At the end of each unit, you will complete an assignment, which is reviewed by your personal tutor. Your tutor will provide constructive feedback, highlighting strengths and offering guidance on areas for improvement to help you surpass your expectations.
All assessments are designed by your tutors and externally moderated by SEGA to maintain quality and fairness.
After completing your Access to HE course, you will be able to:
- Apply for a psychology-related degree at university*
- Progress directly into employment in the NHS or other health-related organizations
*Please check the entry requirements of your chosen course and universities to ensure you will be eligible to apply, as these can vary between institutions, even for similar courses.
Topics you will study include:
Academic Writing Skills:
- 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
Reading and Note Making:
- 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
Perspectives in Psychology:
- Understand different psychological perspectives
- Understand the differences between alternative psychological perspectives
- Understand the application of psychological perspectives to contemporary issues in psychology
Crime and Society:
- Understand crime and deviance
- Understand crime statistics
- Understand theoretical explanations of crime
- Understand social and cultural patterns of crime and criminality
Cognitive Psychology:
- Understand theories relating to cognitive psychology
- Understand the contribution of cognitive psychology research to our understanding of three of the following:
- development
- memory
- attention
- perception
- language and thought
Child Development Early Socialisation:
- Understand the nature/nurture debate in early socialisation
- Understand early socialisation and the formation of attachment
Developmental Psychology:
- Understand the nature/nurture debate in developmental psychology
- Understand early socialisation and the formation of attachment
- Understand cognitive development and the ways in which children process and use information
- Understand the application of developmental psychology theories in the real world
- Understand psychological changes that accompany ageing
Social Interaction:
- Understand theories of Social Influence Biopsychology
Behaviour and the Brain:
- Understand the concept of localisation of function
- Understand the strengths and weaknesses of methods of investigating the relationship between the brain and behaviour
- Understand the interaction between the brain and behaviour
Psychological Disorders and Therapeutic Strategies:
- Understand theoretical explanations for a psychological disorder
- Understand the theoretical basis for different therapeutic strategies used in the treatment of psychological disorders
- Understand the effectiveness of different treatments for psychological disorders
Health Psychology Perspectives:
- Understand the role of psychological factors in physical health and illness
- Understand the role of behavioural factors in physical health and illness
- Understand the role of social/cultural factors in physical health and illness
Biopsychology: Behaviour and Drugs
- Understand how neurotransmitters in the brain control behaviour
- Understand the action of drugs on synaptic transmission
- Understand how psychoactive drugs change behaviour
- Understand the role of serotonin antagonists and reuptake inhibitors in the treatment of disorders
Aggression:
- Understand the explanations for aggression from different psychological perspectives
- Understand the strategies for reducing aggression and their effectiveness
Psychological Profiling:
- Understand the main principles of psychological profiling
- Understand the application and effectiveness of psychological theories in profiling the criminal
Impact of Forensic Psychology in Criminal Investigations:
- Understand the roles of the Forensic Psychologist
- Understand how psychologists have contributed to jury behaviour and eyewitness memory
- Understand offender profiling
- Be able to apply an offender profiling technique
Social Psychology:
- Understand the processes involved in interpersonal attraction
- Understand the nature and function of attitude formation and attitude change
- Understand the processes involved in prejudice and discrimination
- Understand the role of situational factors in the determination of behaviours
- Understand how social influences affect behaviour
- Understand the role of power and leadership in social groups
In addition to the qualification units, you will also be required to complete short introductory tasks at the start of your course to support the development of your academic study skills.
