Distance Learning - Understanding Autism Certificate L3 (23/24)

Leading on from our level 2 understanding autism course the level 3 goes into further detail on the nuanced nature of the autism spectrum. Learners will learn about how autistic people therapeutic interventions, safeguarding and resilience, and communication and social interaction. We would recommend this course to learners who have studied a relevant course at level 2 or higher and are interested in working with autistic people. This can be teachers, charity workers, youth workers or those looking to study further in the fields of sociology or psychology.

Study for the course takes place in an online virtual learning environment (VLE) where you can study at any time and at your own pace. We ask that learners complete their courses withing the given timeframe and that as a broad average most courses can take approximately 6-8 hours per week to complete. However, timeframes are flexible on a person-by-person basis should any learners require reasonable adjustments to their study plans.

Unlike our L2 distance learning courses, enrolment for L3 does incur a cost. Some learners are eligible for full funding to cover this cost as part of HM Government's Free Courses for Jobs scheme. Eligibility for this is nuanced so we will use the information you provide when completing application and enrolment paperwork to advise you.

In addition to this, the course is also elgible for Student Finance England's Advanced Learner Loan. Applicants who wish to apply for the loan must declare it on their application and enrolment form. Otherwise we will assume that applicants ineligible for full funding will be paying the enrolment fee themselves.

Learners are paired with an experienced assessor and they submit work and are assessed online using the virtual learning environment e-Assessor Pro. Learners are given detailed feedback on their work by their assessors. Any reasonable adjustments to assessment arrangements are made on a person-by-person basis.

Our courses have set durations however we are sympathetic with learners who have busy lifestyles and other demands on their time. As a general average we recommend that learners spend approximately 6-8 hours learning time per week. This can include interacting with learning content, completing assessments and other learning such as secondary reading, research or receiving learning support. Any learner who has concerns with the time commitment should contact us to discuss ways we can support them.

Our distance learning courses are planned to meet both local and national skills needs. These courses are ideal as additional development for professionals, or as introductions to topics and issues which are relevant to finding work or further training. Distance learning students are able to access careers advice via the college's Student Services team. several of our courrses complement each other and learners are able to study up to three courses each academic year (1st August-31st July).

Applicants will be asked to write a short personal statement as part of the admissions process. This will set out their motivations for applying and what they hope to get out of completing the course.

Applicants must have achived at least a level 2 in a related subject.

Applicants must have a robust standard of literacy on par with a grade 4/C or above in English at GCSE level, or an equivalent qualification. This needs to be declared on the application form to assist with admissions decisions. Applicants who cannot provide proof of grades may be asked to sit an online literacy test.

• Learners must live in England
• Learners must not live in a  local combined authority, apart from West of England Combined Authority (WECA)
• Learners must have lived in the European Economic area or the UK for at least
  the last three years
• Non-UK nationals will be asked to supply evidence of their immigration status
• Learners aged 19-23 must already hold a either a full level 2 qualification, or 5 GCSEs at grade C/4 or above