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Home » Courses » BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Health & Social Care

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Health & Social Care

This three A Level equivalent pathway enables students to explore a broad range of topics within the world of Health and Social Care, developing knowledge and understanding designed to enable a route into Higher Education or progression into the workforce.

Why choose this course?

The Pearson BTEC National Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care is intended as an applied general qualification. It is for post-16 learners who want to continue their education through applied learning and who aim to progress to Higher Education and ultimately to employment in the health and social care sector. The content of this qualification has been developed in consultation with higher education to ensure it supports progression to higher study. Employers and professional bodies have also been involved in order to confirm that the content is also appropriate for those interested in working in the health and social care sector.

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Start date: 08/09/2025

Course code
FDHEALT25T
Level
Level 3
Location
Truro College
Duration
2 years
Qualification
Extended Diploma

top course highlights

Experienced tutors

industry-standard facilities

modern equipment

industry links

learn from experts

You will be taught by staff with a wide range of experience who will advance your knowledge and skills to meet the expectations of working in the sector. Our Level 3 team are dedicated to ensuring you have the most enjoyable and successful start at college life.

Develop work-related skills

During your tutorial programme, you will also develop personal and work-related skills which will help prepare you for the challenges you will face within progression in education and/or full-time work.

Dedicated work experience

You will need to undertake a minimum of 100 hours work placement as part of the course which will support you in developing relevant and current sector specific skills.

What will I learn?

The qualification develops a deep common core of knowledge, understanding care values and professional skills in the sector through mandatory content and a range of first year units. In the second year, the course is designed to explore a range of health and social care related modules related to health, well-being and social care.

We will also tailor your work placement experience to your chosen pathway to ensure you are maximising your opportunities to learn in a range of settings.

In addition to the knowledge, understanding and skills that underpin study of the health and social care sector, this qualification gives you experience of the breadth and depth that will prepare you for further study in the sector.

Mandatory Modules

  • Unit 1: Working in Health and Social Care
  • Unit 2: Human Lifespan Development
  • 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

Optional Modules (Learners will study a further 5 optional units from the list below)

  • Unit 10: Sociological Perspectives
  • Unit 11: Psychological Perspectives
  • Unit 12: Supporting Individuals with Additional Needs
  • Unit 14: Physiological Disorders and their Care
  • Unit 16: Policy in Health and Social Care
  • Unit 19: Nutritional Health
  • Unit 20: Understanding Mental Wellbeing
  • Unit 25: Complementary Therapies for Health and Social Care
  • Unit 26: Health Psychology

Work Placement

To develop a better understanding of the demands of the sector and to demonstrate your commitment and interest in the sector when applying for further study, you are required to undertake a minimum of 100 hours’ of work experience as part of the course. Within this we will support you to develop a Placement Experience Portfolio to take on to university and work interviews to demonstrate the skills you have developed throughout the course.

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Where will it take me?

Successful completion of the course should leave you fully prepared for a range of health and social care degree-level programmes, including Nursing, Midwifery, Teaching and Psychology. It will also provide opportunities for employment or further training within the sector. Previous students have also progressed onto Sociology, Nutrition, Dental Nursing, and other allied health care professions.

This qualification is intended to carry UCAS points and is recognised by higher education providers as contributing to meeting admission requirements to many relevant courses including:

  • BSc (Hons) in Nursing
  • BA (Hons) in Social Work
  • BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy
  • BSc (Hons) in Occupational Therapy
  • BSc (Hons) in Speech Therapy
  • BA (Hons) in Health and Social Care

You should always check the entry requirements for degree programmes at specific higher education providers.

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Assessment arrangements

Assessment is continuous throughout the course and consists of a range of internal and external tasks including:

  • Presentations
  • Demonstration of practical skills
  • Discussions
  • Extended pieces of writing

External assessment tasks will include:

  • Exam papers – two in year 1 and one in year 2
  • One controlled assessment in year 2

These external assessments will aid your time management, organisation and research skills that contributes to effective practice when working within the Health and Social Care Sector.

entry requirements

Four GCSEs at Grade 4 or above. This must include English (Language or Literature) and/or Maths, preferably Science and one other GCSE at a minimum of Grade 4. You will also be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service clearance check for work placement.

information & support

On successful completion of year one, students will achieve the Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Health and Social Care and continue to complete the full Level 3 Extended National Diploma in the second year.

Awarding body: Pearson

Meet the staff, tour the campus and find out about life as a student at one of the best colleges in the country.

What you could earn

  • Counsellors
  • Paramedics
  • Social Workers
  • Youth and Community Workers
  • Social Services Managers and Directors
  • Nursing Auxiliaries and Assistants
  • Senior Care Workers
  • Care Workers and Home Carers
Potential Salary

£26,166

Entry Level Salary

£7,435

Average Salary

£18,388

Annual openings in Cornwall

7

Potential Salary

£68,038

Entry Level Salary

£27,302

Average Salary

£46,606

Annual openings in Cornwall

16

Potential Salary

£49,275

Entry Level Salary

£18,578

Average Salary

£34,237

Annual openings in Cornwall

16

Potential Salary

£32,071

Entry Level Salary

£7,969

Average Salary

£22,537

Annual openings in Cornwall

37

Potential Salary

£78,747

Entry Level Salary

£13,453

Average Salary

£33,979

Annual openings in Cornwall

7

Potential Salary

£30,261

Entry Level Salary

£7,031

Average Salary

£19,931

Annual openings in Cornwall

190

Potential Salary

£35,402

Entry Level Salary

£11,392

Average Salary

£21,973

Annual openings in Cornwall

27

Potential Salary

£28,834

Entry Level Salary

£5,919

Average Salary

£16,778

Annual openings in Cornwall

261

Truro College

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Penwith College

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St Clare Street, Penzance,
Cornwall, TR18 2SA
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STEM & Health Skills Centre

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STEM & Health Skills Centre,
Ottery Building, Old Callywith Road, Bodmin, PL31 2GU
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University Centre

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University Centre Truro & Penwith,
Fal Building, College Road, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3XX
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Future Skills Institute

Tel: 01872 308000
Email: futureskills@truro-penwith.ac.uk

Truro & Penwith College,
College Road, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3XX
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