Access to Higher Education Diploma
Assignment Brief - EXAMPLE
ACCESS COLLEGE / CENTRE
WALTHAM FOREST COLLEGE
Student’s Name
Student’s Group
Deadline Date
Date Submitted
Date Assignment to be returned to student
(two working weeks after submission)
1
23 June 2010
Resubmission Deadline (two working weeks
after first submission returned)
Date Resubmission submitted
Date Resubmission to be returned to student
(two working weeks after resubmission returned)
Pathway
Unit(s) Being Assessed
Nursing, Midwifery and Health Studies
1. The Sociology of Health and Illness:
Inequalities in Health
2. Study Skills: Academic Skills
Title Of Assignment
3. Writing Skills
Health Inequalities Essay
Assessor
Victor Morgan
Student Declaration
I am aware that plagiarism is defined as the submission or presentation of work, in any form, which is
not one’s own, without acknowledgement of the sources used. I have included full referencing as
required in a format endorsed by the course teaching team (the Harvard System). I recognise that
plagiarism can also arise from one student copying another student's work or from inappropriate
collaboration between students.
I am aware that assessment evidence that has been deemed to have been plagiarised will not receive
credit.
I confirm that the attached assessment evidence is all my own work
Signature:……………………………..
Please attach this assignment brief to the work you are handing in for assessment. Work that
does not include this will be returned unmarked.
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Tasks
Guidance
Assessment
Criteria
Study Skills
Academic
Skills: (1.1)
1. Essay
Plan
You are to plan your essay by producing a clear step by step outline
of its structure. This process will be carried out in class in small
groups, but you are to submit an individual plan with your completed
essay
2. Note
Taking
You are to submit notes taken from any reading you conduct in
preparing the essay along with relevant class notes. You must
submit examples of both “linear” and “pattern” notes.
Study Skills
Academic
Skills: (4.1,
4.2)
3. Essay
Complete the following essay in 1800 – 2000 words:
The
Sociology of
Health and
Illness:
Inequalities
in Health (All
AC)
Discuss the health inequalities existent in British Society with
reference to class, gender or ethnicity. Make reference to at
least two established sociological explanations of Health
Inequalities.
Your essay must include full references and a Bibliography
according to the Harvard System. Your must ensure that you use “in
text” referencing throughout the essay where you are acknowledging
the sources of your citations and quotes.
Study Skills:
Academic
Skills: ( 5.1,
5.2)
Your writing skills will also be assessed as part of this assignment.
Ensure that your writing is organised into sentences and paragraphs
and that you use accurate punctuation and spelling. Your expression
must be in a formal academic style. It is also expected that you will
produce drafts of your work to proof read prior to final submission.
Writing Skills
(All AC)
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Credit Level
Unit
The Sociology of Health and Illness: Inequalities in Health
Level 2 Assessment Criteria:
1.1 Describe stratification in the UK with reference to either Class, Gender or Ethnicity
2.1 Explain statistics that demonstrate the existence of health inequalities
3.1 Describe a range of factors producing health inequalities
4.1 Describe at least one sociological explanation of health inequalities
Level 3 Assessment Criteria:
1.1 Critically discuss stratification in the UK with reference to either Class, Gender or Ethnicity
2.1 Critically analyse statistics that demonstrate the existence of health inequalities
3.1 Analyse a range of factors producing health inequalities
4.1 Analyse at least two sociological explanations of health inequalities
Unit
Study Skills: Academic Skills
Level 2 Assessment Criteria:
NB: This is a mandatory Core unit that must be achieved at L3. There are no L2 assessment criteria
for this unit
Level 3 Assessment Criteria:
1.1 Consistently plan work to complete assessment tasks within the required time limit
4.1 Compile accurate linear notes and summary notes, according to the task
4.2 Produce diagrammatic notes, such as a 'mind map' from a written source; or to plan an essay or
revise for a test/examination
5.1 Incorporate appropriate and complete references into work, including a bibliography, strictly
according to the conventions laid down by the programme team
5.2 Recognise and practice strategies that avoid plagiarism
Unit
Writing Skills
Level 2 Assessment Criteria:
1.1 Use simple and complex sentence structures in writing.
1.2 Use the grammatical conventions of written standard English, so that the meaning of the text is
clear.
1.3 Use the conventions of written standard English in punctuation so that the meaning of the text is
clear
1.4 Form sentences and paragraphs that provide information and express ideas which lead to a
conclusion.
2.1 Plan, draft and proof read for a given writing task
2.2 Present straightforward facts and opinions clearly with accuracy in a given writing task
2.3 Spell correctly both words used most often in work, studies and daily life and words required by
the subject of the given writing task.
2.4 Present a given writing task clearly using layout and organisation appropriate to the task.
Level 3 Assessment Criteria:
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1.1 Use simple and complex sentence structures in writing.
1.2 Use the grammatical conventions of written standard English in complex text so that the meaning
of the text is clear.
1.3 Use the conventions of written standard English in punctuation in complex text so that the
meaning of the text is clear
1.4 Form sentences and paragraphs that provide information and express ideas from which logical
and reasoned conclusions can be drawn
2.1 Plan, draft and proof read for a given writing task
2.2 Present complex facts and opinions on a complex issue clearly with accuracy in a given writing
task
2.3 Spell correctly both words used most often in work, studies and daily life and the academic
vocabulary required by the subject of the given writing task.
2.4 Present a given writing task clearly using layout and organisation appropriate to the task to
include:

bibliography

references

appendices
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Grade
If you have achieved all Level 3 Criteria you will receive a grade (Pass, Merit or Distinction) against
the following grade descriptors.
Grade Descriptors
NB: There are no Grade Descriptors available for Pass; students automatically achieve a pass by
meeting all AC for the unit at Level 3
Unit
The Sociology of Health and Illness: Inequalities in Health
GD 2 Application of Knowledge
Selected Elements
Selected Elements
Merit
Distinction
The student, student's work or performance:
The student, student's work or performance:
A: makes use of relevant:
A: makes use of relevant






facts
theories
perspectives
with
C: very good levels of
 analysis
facts
theories
perspectives
with
C: excellent levels of
 analysis
GD 4 Use of Information
Selected Elements
Selected Elements
Merit
Distinction
The student, student's work or performance:
The student, student's work or performance:
A: identifies new information from sources
which are generally appropriate
A: identifies new information from sources
which are consistently appropriate
GD 5 Communication and Presentation
Selected Elements
Selected Elements
Merit
Distinction
The student, student's work or performance:
The student, student's work or performance:
shows very good command of
 language (including technical or
specialist language)
shows excellent command of
 language (including technical or
specialist language)
GD7: Quality
Selected Elements
Merit
The student, student's work or performance:
Selected Elements
Distinction
The student, student's work or performance:
b. contains some ambiguities or limitations in the
expression of arguments or ideas
b. arguments and ideas are unambiguous and
cogent
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Unit
Study Skills Academic Skills
GD 4 Use of Information
Selected Elements
Selected Elements
Merit
Distinction
The student, student's work or performance:
The student, student's work or performance:
a. identifies new information from sources which
are generally appropriate
a. identifies new information from sources which
are consistently appropriate
GD 5 Communication and Presentation
Selected Elements
Selected Elements
Merit
Distinction
The student, student's work or performance:
The student, student's work or performance:
shows very good command of
shows excellent command of
 format
 format
 structure
 structure
 referencing
 referencing
GD 6 Autonomy/Independence
Selected Elements
Selected Elements
Merit
Distinction
The student, student's work or performance:
The student, student's work or performance:
a. makes generally sound judgements about
how to complete work
a. makes consistently sound judgements about
how to complete work
GD7: Quality
Selected Elements
Merit
The student, student's work or performance:
Selected Elements
Distinction
The student, student's work or performance:
a. is structured in a way that is generally logical
and fluent
a. is structured in a way that is consistently
logical and fluent
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Unit
Writing Skills
GD 2 Application of Knowledge
Selected Elements
Selected Elements
Merit
Distinction
The student, student's work or performance:
The student, student's work or performance:
A: makes use of relevant:
A: makes use of relevant


Ideas
with
C: very good levels of
 precision
 accuracy
Ideas
with
C: excellent levels of
 precision
 accuracy
GD 5 Communication and Presentation
Selected Elements
Selected Elements
Merit
Distinction
The student, student's work or performance:
The student, student's work or performance:
shows very good command of
shows excellent command of
 syntax
 syntax
 register
 register
 spelling
 spelling
 punctuation
 punctuation
 referencing
 referencing
GD7: Quality
Selected Elements
Merit
The student, student's work or performance:
Selected Elements
Distinction
The student, student's work or performance:
a. is structured in a way that is generally logical
and fluent
a. is structured in a way that is consistently
logical and fluent
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Additional Guidance on Grading
Achieving a Merit
Achieving a Distinction
You will be able to identify current statistical data
that demonstrates the existence of health
inequalities. You will critically examine this data
with reference to the established sociological
explanations of health inequalities. You will also
need to make reference to key sociological
theories to support your definition of the area of
inequality studied (class, gender or ethnicity)
You will be able to identify and categorise current
statistical data that demonstrates the existence of
health inequalities. You will critically examine this
data with reference to established sociological
explanations of health inequalities. You will also
need to make detailed reference to key
sociological theories in analysing the area of
inequality studied (class, gender or ethnicity)
You will be required to demonstrate a clear and
articulate understanding of the established
sociological explanations of health inequalities.
You will express an awareness of how at least
two perspectives are distinct and how each
represents a wider set of social values.
You will be required to demonstrate a complex
understanding of the established sociological
explanations of health inequalities. You will
express an awareness of how the four
perspectives are distinct and how each
represents a wider set of social and political
values.
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