Level 3 Diploma Access to HE - Social Work, Social Science & Mental Health

This course is suited to any adult who aspires to qualify to be a social worker, psychologist, educational psychologist or a primary school teacher. All of our Access to Higher Education courses have been approved by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA). If you have not studied for some time, this course will develop your confidence and academic skills in preparation for university and beyond.

This course will equip you with the skills, knowledge and ability to pursue a career within the field of social sciences. Throughout your time on the course, you will be taught and supported by an expert team who are student led and will help you achieve your next steps. At WVR we are committed to supporting your needs and progression from start to finish, including providing support with your UCAS applications and providing information relating to Student Finance England. This course provides you with an excellent grounding for different branches of social work including adult, children and families, and mental health. You could also consider careers in youth work or early help. We have excellent links to local universities.

You will study a variety of units such as:

• Mental Health Issues

• Counselling Skills

• Principles of Safeguarding

• Criminal Law

You will be assessed during the course as each unit is completed through a variety of methods such as essays, presentations, research projects, and examinations. This course is delivered on a blended model, with most sessions being face to face and a small part delivered online.

The qualification you will achieve is Level 3 Access to Higher Education Diploma (Social Science).

Students who successfully complete this qualification progress onto university to study degrees such as:

• Social Work

• Psychology

• Criminology

• Law

• Primary Education (leading to qualified teacher status (QTS)

Universities expect adults who apply for some vocational degrees to have previous relevant paid or voluntary experience. Life and work experience is valuable, and applicants need to have spent some time out of school and have a high level of maturity. If you do not already have work experience, you will be required to organise relevant experience before you begin the course. If you require advice about which type of experience would help your university application, ask to speak to our Careers Advisor based in Learner Services. You’ll have a number of local universities coming in to discuss your potential progression.

All HE students receive termly one-to-one tutorials with their programme leader to support them with their progress on programme. You will also have access to an online tutorial programme which provides guidance on a wide range of topics such as mental health, managing finances, support for single parents, and working online. In addition, you can access a programme of workshops throughout the year to support with topics such as study skills, academic writing, and time management.

We have a team of staff dedicated to providing learning support if it is required, and a Welfare Team that is on hand to offer guidance, support, and help when needed.

All HE students have access to a designated progress coach who can also provide welfare support.

Click here for learning support: https://wvr.ac.uk/college-life/learning-support

Click here for finance support: https://wvr.ac.uk/college-life/financial-support

During your course, your learning will be enhanced by dedicated tutors who have a wide range of industry knowledge and experience. Your diploma has been carefully constructed to maximise the possibility of you obtaining a place for your chosen degree. This diploma contains relevant units to ensure you are a desirable candidate to universities. We also use methods of assessment typically seen at university in order to prepare you for the transition into HE, for example, digital timed assessments. Current students comment on the level of support offered within this course and describe how they feel prepared for university. You’ll be part of supportive group of learners, all of whom will have a mature attitude to learning.

The Access to HE team takes the time to know you, and because of this we’re able to provide excellent information, advice and guidance. The Access team also provide mock interviews to prepare you for any interviews you may be required to attend for university. We are also routinely adding the latest developments relating to your field, and training opportunities, to your virtual learning environment to ensure you are equipped with industrial knowledge.

As an adult student at WVR, you’ll gain access to our electronic library which provides you with online books and journal articles. For those students who like to have hardcopy books, don’t worry, our library is well stocked with the books you may require. At WVR, we recognise that as adults, you may appreciate your own communal space to socialise with other adults studying at the college. We have an adult only zone above the library where you can enjoy a coffee and study.

The college also houses a dedicated Health & Social Care Academy, which contains state-of-the-art facilities including a mock hospital ward and a simulation flat for practical activities. These outstanding facilities will ensure you gain valuable skills in a realistic setting, pr

Direct Entry Requirement

• GCSE Grade 4 (C) or above in maths and English or equivalent.

However, please be aware that for degrees such as primary education and educational psychology, universities often do not allow GCSE equivalencies; it is common for universities to only accept English Language and maths at GCSE at a grade 4/C or above. If you hold equivalent qualifications to GCSE we strongly advise you to check university entry requirements to confirm they will accept your equivalent qualifications.

If you do not meet the entry requirements

Don’t worry! You can apply for our Level 2 Pre-Access course which will prepare you for the Level 3 Access to Higher Education in your chosen career pathway. You will also work towards achieving your Level 2 (GCSE) maths or English at the same time

19+ students studying on a level 3 qualification may be eligible to apply for an Advanced Learner Loan. For finance support and enquiries please visit Financial Support | Warrington & Vale Royal College (wvr.ac.uk)

Apart from the course and examination fees, you will need the usual student stationery such as pens, paper, and files. The purchase of textbooks is not compulsory - there is a wide selection of books available in our dedicated Learning Resource Centre. Should you wish to purchase textbooks, your subject tutors will recommend suitable books.