New Access to HE Diplomas
AIM has reviewed it’s Access to HE portfolio and now has 46 revalidated Access to HE Diplomas ready for registration from the 1st of August 2024. Eight of these are available for online delivery.
Subject Descriptors
The QAA has introduced new Subject Descriptors which define the minimum requirement of content for a diploma that is designed to provide the preparation needed for progression to undergraduate study. You will find the Subject Descriptors for Medicine, and Nursing and Health Professions on the QAA website.
The Diplomas that are compliant with the subject descriptor for Nursing and Health Professions are:
- Access to HE Diploma (Health Professions)
- Access to HE Diploma (Nursing)
- Access to HE Diploma (Nursing and Midwifery)
- Access to HE Diploma (Radiography)
The Subject Descriptor for Nursing and Health Professions will be piloted in 2024-25 and fully implemented from 2025-26. AIM Qualifications and Assessment Group and its providers delivering the Diplomas list above are pleased to confirm that they will be participating in the pilot.
New Portfolio
- Access to HE Diploma (Animal Science)
- Access to HE Diploma (Art and Design)
- Access to HE Diploma (Built Environment)
- Access to HE Diploma (Business and Law)
- Access to HE Diploma (Business and Management)
- Access to HE Diploma (Business)
- Access to HE Diploma (Computer Science and Mathematics)
- Access to HE Diploma (Computer Science)
- Access to HE Diploma (Counselling)
- Access to HE Diploma (Creative Industries)
- Access to HE Diploma (Criminology)
- Access to HE Diploma (Data Science)
- Access to HE Diploma (Early Years Education)
- Access to HE Diploma (Education) Available for blended learning*
- Access to HE Diploma (Engineering)
- Access to HE Diploma (English Studies)
- Access to HE Diploma (Event Management)
- Access to HE Diploma (Global Studies and Sustainability)
- Access to HE Diploma (Health and Social Care)
- Access to HE Diploma (Health Professions) Available for blended learning*
- Access to HE Diploma (Health Science)
- Access to HE Diploma (Humanities and Social Science)
- Access to HE Diploma (Humanities)
- Access to HE Diploma (Land Based Science)
- Access to HE Diploma (Land Based Studies)
- Access to HE Diploma (Law and Criminology)
- Access to HE Diploma (Medical Science)
- Access to HE Diploma (Medicine)
- Access to HE Diploma (Midwifery) Available for blended learning*
- Access to HE Diploma (Motorsport)
- Access to HE Diploma (Music Technology)
- Access to HE Diploma (Nursing and Midwifery)
- Access to HE Diploma (Nursing) Available for blended learning*
- Access to HE Diploma (Policing and Criminology)
- Access to HE Diploma (Policing)
- Access to HE Diploma (Psychology) Available for blended learning*
- Access to HE Diploma (Public Services)
- Access to HE Diploma (Radiography)
- Access to HE Diploma (Science)
- Access to HE Diploma (Social Science with Law)
- Access to HE Diploma (Social Science)
- Access to HE Diploma (Social Work) Available for blended learning*
- Access to HE Diploma (Sports Science)
- Access to HE Diploma (Sport Studies)
- Access to HE Diploma (Travel and Tourism)
- Access to HE Diploma (Veterinary Science)
The Review
The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) introduced new subject descriptor for a range of Access to HE Diplomas. These descriptors provide guidance and reference for the design, delivery, validation and review of programmes designed for progression to higher level study. They define the minimum requirement of content for a Diploma and publicly claims to provide the preparation needed for progression to undergraduate study.
To support the review AIM has consulted with its centres and moderators and sought feedback on changes to content and suggestions for new Diplomas.
Key changes include:
- All students must be registered for at least one 6 or one 9 credit unit as part of their programme of study - this can be graded or ungraded.
- The maximum number of credits that can be made up from 6 or 9 credit units is 30 credits (graded or ungraded).
- Introduction of a subject descriptor for Nursing and Health Professions – this will stipulate a minimum number of credits to be achieved from Biology, Level 2 Maths and Professional Behaviours.
- The introduction of three grading standards to replace the current seven grade descriptors - Knowledge and Understanding; Subject Specific Skills; Transferable Skills.
- All three are to be used with every graded unit.
- Requirement for all three components for Transferable Skills to be used at least once in the grading of units across the Diploma.
Further information can be found at:
• QAA Access to HE Diploma Specification
• QAA Access to HE Grading Scheme
Blended Learning*
Following a new partnership with sector leading Learning Curve Group, we are pleased to announce that eight of our Diplomas can be delivered through blended learning using the new eassessorpro platform.
Exemplar Assignment Briefs
Access to HE centres can now benefit from our expertly developed assignment briefs for select mandatory units. These resources offer significant advantages:
Key Benefits:
- Targeted Assessment: Our briefs ensure precise alignment with unit criteria, eliminating under or over-assessment concerns.
- AVA-Approved: These briefs guarantee coverage of all assessment criteria and indicative content.
- Time-Saving: Centres can redirect valuable time towards developing teaching materials and resources.
- Efficient Moderation: Fewer briefs need to be submitted to Diploma Moderators for Stage 2 Moderation.
- Standardisation: Enhance consistency across centres and Diplomas where the unit is offered.
- Student Experience: Promote a more uniform learning experience for students across different centres.
More Information
If you have any queries related to the diplomas, or would like a demo of the new eassessorpro platform, please do not hesitate to contact accesstohe@aimgroup.org.uk or businessdevelopment@aimgroup.org.uk and we will be happy to help you.
Download our FAQ guide.