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Course overview
Providing the academic equivalent of three A Levels and offering a direct pathway to university, the Access to Higher Education Diploma in Law and Criminology stands as a recognised route for anybody looking to transition careers or pursue higher education in these fields.
During your first year, you will undertake study skills units aimed at honing essential academic skills in writing, independent research, and study techniques. These will not only aid you in completing your assignments, but also serve as valuable preparation for university-level studies.
In addition to this, you will study criminology-based units as an introduction to the graded content. Through these units, you will gain a nuanced understanding of the historical evolution of crime and its impact on victims.
Moving into your second year, you will be introduced to law-focused content, including the English legal system, law enforcement processes, and criminal law.
Please note: As this course is popular, spaces fill up quickly. Ensure you enrol as early as possible to secure your spot for the February 2025 intake.
Course fees:
Online – £1,799
Study Pack – £1,839
- Monthly instalment plan available
- No government funding available for this course
Recognition
Study method
- Online
- Blended
- In-class
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Duration study load
It will take two years to complete this course. The minimum number of independent study hours you are required to do each week is 20 hours. It is crucial to ensure that you are able to allocate this study time around your other commitments.
Please note, you will be provided with an assessment timetable which will detail your assignment release and deadline dates.
Entry requirements
- You must be at least 19 years old to enrol on this course.
- You will need to have a minimum of a grade C or 4 in GCSE English Language and GCSE Maths. Copies of your official certificates will be requested as part of the enrolment process before your place is confirmed. Functional Skills Level 2 Maths and English will also be considered.
- You will need to have access to a laptop or computer and the Internet to complete this course.
- If there is a particular university course you wish to study after completing this diploma, it is your responsibility to ensure it meets the entry requirements.
Course features
- Dedicated personal tutor support with email access and mentoring sessions.
- Assignment marking and feedback from your personal tutor.
- Dedicated learner services from our learner services team.
- Assignment marking and feedback.
- UCAS application guide.
- A free CV critique service and employability guide if you’re focusing on career advancement.
- A free Student Discounts membership to save you money on your favourite brands.
- A study pack including a pen, study planner, and notebook*.
*Only available with study pack option
Assessment
This Access to Higher Education course doesn’t include any exams. You will be assessed through assignments including essays, presentations, and reports.
Your assessments will be distributed on set dates according to the course timetable, with each having a fixed deadline which you must meet.
Unit credits
Your qualification will not be assigned an overall grade. Instead, grading will be based on graded units, with a maximum of 60 credits available to achieve. These grades will correspond to a specific number of UCAS points based on the credit value:
- Non-graded units will be graded as ‘achieved’ or ‘unachieved’.
- For graded units, you will receive a pass, merit, distinction, or fail.
Delivery
You will study this course via distance learning, offering you the flexibility to study whenever and wherever you choose. Whether it’s from the comfort of your home or any other location of your preference, the choice is entirely yours.
However, you must ensure that you submit your assignments by the dates outlined in your assessment timetable. Rest assured, tutor support is readily available via email, so help is only a click away. Additionally, you will have access to video mentoring sessions with your tutor for graded units.
The study method you choose depends on your personal learning style. Your options are:
Study pack: if you choose the study pack option, you will be sent a set of printed course materials.
Study online: if you choose this option, you will be sent your login details to our online portal through which you will access your course materials digitally. You can access your course via a desktop/laptop computer.
Is the Access to Higher Education Diploma an official qualification?
Yes, this is an official Access to Higher Education Diploma in Law & Criminology qualification, accredited by AIM Group and recognised by universities in the UK.
Will this qualification get me to university?
This qualification provides you with a direct progression route to university and will earn you the UCAS points you need to support your university application.
It is the equivalent of three A Levels and successful students may progress on to university to study a degree related to law and criminology.
You will need to check with your chosen university to ensure that they accept students who have completed an Access to Higher Education Diploma in Law & Criminology.
Subjects
- Understand personal learning strengths and weaknesses.
- Understand how to plan and organise study.
- Be able to assess the reliability of sources of information.
- Understand how to use reading strategies.
- Understand note-taking methods.
- Understand how to plan written work.
- Understand how sources are referenced.
- Be able to plan a piece of research on an approved subject area.
- Be able to collect research material from different sources.
- Be able to use data to substantiate an argument.
- Be able to record sources of information.
- Be able to present research findings.
- Understand potential next steps in education.
- Understand key sources of information relevant to HE application.
- Be able to recognise the range and variety of opportunities available in HE.
- Understand the importance of work-related activities to enhance progression in HE.
- Understand the financial implications of further study.
- Know how to apply for a course.
- Understand the development of criminology in Britain.
- Understand the different models of criminology.
- Be able to analyse what crimes are and the reliability of recorded data.
- Understand the causes of crime and the related contemporary criminological theories.
- Understand the historical development of crime and sentencing.
- Be able to evaluate the role of the media in relation to the reporting of crime.
- Understand the effects of crime on the victim.
- Understand different theories on the causes of crime.
- Understand theories of violence and aggression.
- Understand explanations of crime and deviance.
- Understand theories or crime and deviance.
- Understand perceptions of crime and deviance.
- Understand the link between public perceptions of crime and criminality, and the news media, film and television media and social media.
- Understand the criminological research into the links between crime and media.
- 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 profile technique.
- Understand consumer protection legislation.
- Understand the function of regulatory bodies in relation to consumer protection.
- Understand health and safety legislation.
- Understand the employment contract.
- Understand legislation relating to the termination of employment.
- Understand equal opportunities.
- Understand the background of the youth justice system.
- Understand the impact of legislation on practice.
- Understand the principles and value of inter-agency work.
- Understand the criminal court process and its personnel.
- Understand sentencing policy and procedures.
- Understand the English legal system with particular reference to Judicial Precedent and legal legislative process.
- Understand the charging relationship between EU law and English Law.
- Understand funding for legal advice and assistance and representation.
- Understand the structure and personnel of the English legal system.
About Open Study College
Established in 2007, Open Study College is a distance learning course provider that has helped over 130,000 learners take the next step towards achieving their ambitions.
With over 700 courses, ranging from A Levels and GCSEs through to childcare and beauty therapy — there’s something for everyone. All of their qualifications are independently accredited by established awarding organisations, fully equipping you for the future.
Why choose Open Study College?
Whether you’re in full-time work or have family commitments, distance learning at Open Study College provides the flexibility to create a study schedule that fits around the busy demands of day-to-day life. Accomplish your goals — at your pace, on your terms.
You will also receive the best possible support from the uber-friendly learner services team, as well as guidance from expert tutors who are on hand to answer any queries you might have throughout the duration of your course.
What makes Open Study College different?
Born from a genuine passion to improve the lives of others through education, Open Study College is a family-run business with decades of experience in the education and distance learning industry.
Seeking a career change? Didn’t get the exam results you wanted? Looking to learn a new skill? Enrol on one of their courses today and forge the future you’ve always wanted — all from the comfort of your own home!
Additional benefits
As an Open Study College learner, your benefits will include an XO Student Discounts membership, exclusive savings on future courses and a complete range of career support — including a free CV critique service, a free employability guide, and job-hunting help from their recruitment experts.
