This course is available as:
- BTEC Level 3 Extended Certificate – equivalent to one A Level
About the course…
The BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Health and Social Care aims to provide you with an introduction to the sector. It is aimed at those who are interested in learning about the health and social care sector as part of a balanced study programme. It is equivalent in size to one A Level so will be studied alongside two other subjects which you can choose from our sixth form course list. The qualification supports access to a range of higher education courses.
Topics you will study include:
- Human Lifespan Development
- Working in Health and Social Care
- Meeting Individual Care and Support Needs
- Physiological Disorders and their care
Where Health and Social Care could take you…
This qualification will be taken alongside other qualifications as part of a two–year programme of learning. This will enable you to progress to a degree programme chosen from a range of programmes in or linked to the health and social care sector. The qualification carries UCAS points and is recognised by higher education institutions as contributing to meeting admission requirements to many relevant courses.
You are likely to choose a health science route by combining the course with, for example:
- A Levels in Biology and Psychology, which could lead to a BSc (Hons) in Nursing
- A Levels Biology and Criminology or Sociology, which could lead to degrees in health science, crime and justice
- A BTEC National Extended Certificate in Sport (and another subject), which could lead to degrees in sports studies and development
Or a social care route by combining the course with, for example:
- A Levels in English and History, which could lead to a BA (Hons) in Primary Education
- A Levels in Sociology and Psychology, which could lead to degrees in social welfare or sociology
You can also discuss a combination of other A Levels/Level 3 courses depending on your interest and intended progression.
Entry Requirements
For a BTEC programme you will need to have achieved:
- Four GCSEs at grades 9 to 4, or a Merit in a full Level 2 BTEC Diploma
- Grade 4 or above in GCSE English and Maths is preferred
- If you want to add an A Level with your BTEC, you will need to meet the entry criteria for A Levels
In order to study an A Level programme, you will need to have achieved:
- At least five GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 in one sitting.
- An average GCSE score of 5 is preferred but not essential.
- GCSE English and Maths at grade 5 is preferred
- Meet any subject-specific criteria also
To follow an A Level programme that includes any two of these courses: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Further Maths, you will need at least an average GCSE score of 5.5 plus a minimum GCSE grade 6 in the subject to be studied and a minimum GCSE grade 6 in Maths.