Ref: 400/1044/2
Registration End Date: 31/07/2024
Certification End Date: 31/07/2026
Previously approved by the former AVA Open College Network West Midlands
here are no formal entry requirements for students applying for the AIM Qualifications and Assessment Group Access to H.E. Diplomas. Centres adopting the Diploma 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. The AVA expects centres to establish that candidates normally operate to at least Level Two in English and Level One in Mathematics before being accepted onto a course leading to the Diploma. In addition, centres would be expected to provide advice and guidance about the demands of the course and to establish that applicants show appropriate levels of commitment and motivation.
Centres are encouraged to consider using a variety of assessment methods in order to prepare the learner for study at a higher level in their relevant subject area. These include essay writing, presentations, practical, academic displays, discussions, reflection, role play, research projects and field work.
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.
Learners who complete and achieve the Access to HE Diploma could progress onto Higher Education courses including Bachelor Degrees, Foundation Degrees, Higher National Certificates and Diplomas (HNC/HND) and Higher Degree Apprenticeships. The Access to HE Diploma could also support access into employment areas where evidence of study and achievement at level 3 is required.
To achieve the Access to HE Diploma (Social Science with Law) 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.
Please download the Unit Listing for the full list of units available and to access the specifications.
Assessment Methods
Centres are encouraged to consider using a variety of assessment methods in order to prepare the learner for study at a higher level in their relevant subject area. These include essay writing, presentations, practical, academic displays, discussions, reflection, role play, research projects and field work.
Tutors:
To offer this qualification, centres must ensure that tutors hold or are working towards:
- Hold a qualification in the subject area and at the level above they are delivering.
- Hold or be working towards a relevant teaching or assessor qualification. The AVA recommends PGCE, Level 5 Diploma in Teaching and Learning or DTTLS. Please note it must be the minority of the staff who are working towards this qualification and not the majority.
Internal Quality Assurer (IQA):
Centres must also ensure that they have in place an Internal Quality Assurance person who:
- Holds or is working towards a Level 4 Award in Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practices or its equivalent.
- Has substantial experience of working in or assessing qualifications in the Access to HE Diploma qualifications.
- Is familiar with the assessment requirements of the Access to HE Diploma.
Centres will be expected to apply their internal processes to the internal moderation of assessment briefs and assessed work. Each Centre will be allocated a Curriculum Area Moderator to each curriculum area delivered within the Diploma who will carry out moderation twice a year. A Centre Reviewer will also be allocated to each Centre and will be responsible for the overview of management, resourcing, internal quality assurances and processes and polices.