Certa Level 2Diplomain Progression to Further Study in Health Science Professions (QCF) 601/5766/5 /
QUALIFICATION OVERVIEW
TheCerta Level 2 Diploma in Progression to Further Study inHealth Science Professions is a nationally recognised qualification. It enables learners with few or no formal qualifications to gain the knowledge and skills they need to progress on to further learning in health science professions, e.g., the CertaAccess to HE Diploma(Health Science Professions). It is the first step in a vocational progression route into higher education.
What does this qualification cover?
The Level 2 Diploma is made up of 45 Credits so learners will need to study for about 360 hours.
A minimum of 21and a maximum of 36 Credits must be taken from the vocationally specific units (Core Group A), to enable learners to develop their vocational subject knowledge and understanding in preparation for further study at Level 3. The vocationally specific units have been developed in partnership with colleges which offer the CertaAccess to HE Diploma:(Health Science Professions),and include:
- Barriers to Health
- Physiology and Exercise
- Health Promotion in Care Settings
- Principles of Safeguarding and Protection in
Health and Social Care
- Health Psychology
- Recognising Issues of Substance Misuse
- Human Health and Disease
- Resources for Nursing
- Human Physiology
- The Sociology of Health
- Introduction to Health Studies
- Understanding Mental Health
- Nutrition, Performance and Healthy Eating
At least 9 Credits are taken from units that will enable learners to develop a range of skills that will help them plan and support their further learning, such as:
- Academic Writing
- Organisation and Evaluation of Study
- Building a Personal Career Portfolio
- Personal Learning Skills
- Critical Thinking
- Plagiarism
- Developing Personal Study Skills
- Practical Presentation Skills
- Information Literacy
- Researching & Understanding Opportunities for Study in HE
Learners can also study English, mathematics and ICT topics to help with learning such as:
- improving reading, writing, speaking and listening skills
- building numeracy skills such as data handling, algebra, trigonometry, fractions
- using a virtual learning environment, word processing, spreadsheets, databases.
Learners will develop:
- knowledge and understanding in a range of health science related subjects such as exercise physiology, nutrition, health promotion, disease, mental health and introduction to nursing, together with the underpinning knowledge in biology, chemistry and basic physics.
- skills such as academic writing, information gathering and personal study skills.
The Level 2 Diploma is for learners who wish to progress to further learning at Level 3 and then into higher education.
It isfor learners who want a career in one of the health science professions that needs vocational study at university, but who are not yet ready to study at Level 3. This may be because of gaps in their skills or knowledge, perhaps because their schooling was interrupted or disrupted, or because they are returning to study after bringing up a family. Learners who may be in this position include those who need to:
- prepare for higher level studyafter some time away from formal education
- build the confidence, skills, knowledge and understanding required to progress on to Level 3 academic study
- build a foundation of knowledge and understanding inunfamiliar vocational areas
- achieve an appropriate formal qualification in order to progressto aCertaAccess to HE Diploma(Health Science Professions)
- gain a substantial full Level 2 qualification.
The Certa Level 2 Diploma is for learners aged 16 years and over.
Do learners need any prior qualifications, attainment or experience?
There are no formal entry requirements.
How will learners be assessed?
Tutors assess the Level 2 Diploma by a variety of tasks which learners will complete and build into a portfolio of work as their learning progresses. These may include essays, reports, experiments, tests, presentations or research projects.Learners therefore gain experience of the range of assessment methods they will need at the next level. Assessors use tasks relevant to health science to assess non-vocational units wherever possible.
All assessments will be in English (or British Sign Language by arrangement with Certa).
Are there different-sized versions of this qualification? If so, why should learners choose this one?
There are currently no different-sized versions of the qualification. It is only available as this Diploma, with45 Credits, needing about 360 hours of study.
WHAT COULD THIS QUALIFICATION LEAD TO?
The Level 2 Diploma will enable learners to progress to further learning in health care professions. For example,the CertaAccess to HE Diploma(Health Science Professions),whichwill support an application for university health science courses. It may also prepare learners for a range of Level 3 vocational qualifications in health related areas.
Will the qualification lead to employment? If so, in which sector or job role, at what level?
This qualification is not available in an apprenticeship and does not lead directly to employment. However, it will support learners who are starting on their journey to a career in a range of health science professions or health careers, which is likely to increase their prospects of gaining employment in the future. Examples include the health science professions such as nursing, midwifery, occupational therapy, physiotherapy or radiography, for which a university course is usually required, and health related work such as in a hospital laboratory, or as a healthcare assistant, cytological screener, medical physics technician, dental hygienist or clinical support worker.
Will the qualification support progression to further learning?
The Level 2 Diploma enables learners to progress to further learning, e.g. tothe CertaAccess to HE Diploma(Health Science Professions).From this they can progress to a range of health science courses at university, such as nursing, midwifery, physiotherapy, occupational therapy or radiography.
The qualification was developed with a number of colleges that offer the Access to HE Diploma, to make sure it provides learners with the relevant skills, knowledge and understanding. Learners can follow a personalised programme to help them to prepare effectively for the CertaAccess to HE Diploma(Health Science Professions),even if they have knowledgegaps, or have been out of education for some time.
The Level 2 Diploma may also enable progression to Level 3 health related vocational qualifications offered at a range of colleges, eg, Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care. It enables progression to the following Certa Level 3 vocational qualifications:
- Level 3 Access to HE Diploma (Health Science Professions)
- Level 3 Certificate in Dementia Care
- Level 3 Certificate in Progression
- Level 3 Certificate in Tackling Substance Abuse.
- Level 2 Diploma in Work Preparation for Health and Social Care
- Level 2 Certificate in Preparing to Work in Adult Social Care.
WHO SUPPORTS THIS QUALIFICATION?
A number of colleges support this Level 2 Diploma, including those listed below. Each accepts learners with the Level 2 Diploma onto their CertaAccess to HE Diploma(Health Science Professions). This means that learners can progress to the next level within the same college.
- Academy Online Learning UKPRN 10042907
- Barnsley College UKPRN 10000536
- Calderdale College UKPRN 10001093
- East Riding College UKPRN 10002126
- Kirklees College UKPRN 10003189
- Nelson and Colne UKPRN 10004552.
To find out if Certa offers this qualification near where you live, please contact:
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Qualification Purpose Statement Diploma Health Science Prof v2Page 1 of 4