Health and Social Care BTEC Extended Diploma

The General entry requirements for Advanced Vocational Programme courses are five GCSEs grades 9-4 and above, including English Language.

Grade 4 English - MM Extended Certificate L2

The Examination Board is Pearson Edexcel. Students will be studying 13 units over the duration of two years.  They are as follows: 

• Unit 1 Human Lifespan Development  
• Unit 2 Working in Health and Social Care 
• Unit 3 Anatomy and Physiology for Health and Social Care 
• Unit 4 Enquiries into Current Research in Health and Social Care  
• Unit 5 Meeting Individual Care and Support Needs 
• Unit 6 Work Experience in Health and Social Care 
• Unit 7 Principles of Safe Practice in Health and Social Care 
• Unit 8 Promoting Public Health 
• Unit 10 Sociological Perspectives 
• Unit 11 Psychological Perspectives 
• Unit 12 Supporting Individuals with Additional Needs 
• Unit 14 Physiological Disorders and their Care 
• Unit 19 Nutritional Health 

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care is assessed through both external examinations and coursework. You will study 13 units in total. Units 1 to 8 is mandatory and there are 4 exam units. 

You will need to be very organized, focused and study hard for your exams, as well as, balance your time well to complete coursework. 

Exam units:

Units 1 to 4 are assessed through external examinations. Exams are offered twice per year – January and May/June. Each student can achieve Level 3 Pass or Distinction. 

Coursework units: 

Each student can achieve a PASS standard, MERIT standard or DISTINCTION standard grade upon successful completion of the relevant criteria. 

The Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care is equivalent to 3 A levels at a D*D*D* equivalent to 3 A levels at grade A. 

Health and Social Care is a vocational qualification. For students who are interested in pursuing a career in a health or social care profession or seeking employment, the opportunities are endless. 

The Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care can lead to: 

*Higher Education to study in some of the following areas:  

• Nursing or midwifery   

• Health & Social Care 

• Social work 

• Youth and Community Work 

• Early Childhood Studies 

• Teaching 

• Occupational therapy 

• Law  

*Employment including working as:  

• Care Worker 

• Support Worker 

•  Nursery assistant 

*Apprenticeships

"Studying Health and Social Care has helped me improve my way of thinking, attitude towards others and analytical skills. I have learnt a lot in such little time and I’m very grateful. My teachers are very helpful and always one step ahead when it comes to work." 

"The Health & Social Care teachers are friendly and always looking to support whatever help you need. I felt comfortable with them immediately which really kickstarted my learning on a positive note. The subject has really helped me understand and look up to the people that work within the sector, making me feel privileged and empowered to be able to now pursue this at the end of the 2-year course." 

"The Health & Social Care teachers are extremely supportive throughout the course and respond to the last-minute queries as soon they can. Studying this course for three years has helped shape my character and allowed me to take on skills, that can be used in my future career." 

"I feel that Health and Social Care helped me to be clear about what I want to do in the future. In Year 13, I am hoping to apply for Children’s Nursing and my work experience should support my application." (Level 3 student at end of Year 12) 

"Health and Social Care seemed relatively easy in Year 12 but was more demanding in Year 13. I am really pleased I did this course – I feel it helped to develop my understanding not just about health & social care but about life in general." (Year 13 student at the end of the course) 

"I have enjoyed studying health and social care and the teachers that have taught me and have been supportive of myself.  I enjoyed doing my work experience for health and social care as it gave me the chance to experience what I really wanted to study but also allowed me to gain a job from doing this work experience."

Throughout the BTEC course, students will learn how to develop both their study and writing skills for examination and assignment completion success.  Hence, as part of the course, students will: study and practice how to write examinations; complete coursework using appropriate references; take part in a variety of activities including work experience placement visits; group assignments, presentations and observations.  

A large amount of study skills and research work is required and students are expected to use a number of information sources such as: textbooks, journals, the internet, TV, newspapers and past examination papers. 

The Level 3 Extended Diploma course contains compulsory work experience for Unit 6.  Appropriate time will be allocated so that students can attend work experience placement to complete relevant assignment tasks. 

• Ms Cahill has worked in Sixth Form Education for over 20 years and has previous experience of working in secondary schools. She also used to work for Westminster Play Association with children aged 4 – 11, organising activities and events. She has a B. Ed (Hons) and MSc. 
• Ms Housen is the Subject Area Leader with over 20 years’ experience teaching in secondary schools, FE and Sixth Form colleges. She has a BSc. (Hons.); Master in Teaching and PGCE. 
• Mr Fuller is an experienced teacher of Health & Social Care. He also worked as a Public Service Lecturer and has experience in Youth Work. He has a BSc. (Hons.) in Social Sciences and PGCE. 
• Ms Okpara is an experienced teacher with over 11 years of teaching Health & Social Care. She has a BSc. in Industrial Chemistry and MSc. in Educational Leadership. 
• Mr Baird is an experienced teacher with over 12 years’ experience teaching Health and Social Care, Sociology and Criminology in secondary schools and 6th form colleges. He has BA and MA is Sociology & Cultural Studies, plus a PGCE. 
• Ms Patel is an experienced teacher with over 5 years’ experience in teaching Psychology & Health and Social Care. She has a BSc in Forensic Psychology & Criminal Justice and has worked in various health and social care settings.