Health and Social Care Level 3 Extended Diploma

Get a broad introduction to the field of health and social care on the practical, work-related Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care. The course features projects and assignments based on realistic workplace situations, and it gives you a significant amount of supervised work experience.

You cover 18 units across the two years, nine core units and nine specialist units. The core units include key topics such as equality, diversity and rights, communication and supportive skills, research and vocational practice. The specialist units cover specific topics, such as lifespan development, anatomy and physiology, care planning and sociology of health, in greater detail. You also do short certificated courses, such as first aid, sensory awareness and counselling skills, to enhance your professional and personal development.

All units are internally assessed and graded. A selected sample is externally assessed and an overall grade for the qualification is awarded at the end of the course.

You gain functional skills, first aid and sensory skills for care workers qualifications, and around 800 hours of experience care placements.

Applicants for a Level 3 programme will normally have:
- at least four GCSEs at grade C or above (including some subjects related to the proposed area of study) and/or a completed level 2 award
- the willingness to study for an additional level 2 qualification in English and/or maths
- if you are interested in a level 3 programme and have alternative qualifications you would like us to consider please contact us with your details

Applicants will be invited to attend an interview and complete an internal assessment. All students will have their literacy and numeracy needs supported within the programme.

At the end of the course you may decide to go directly into work or you could enter higher education. Possible careers include nursing, midwifery, social work, social care work, care management, occupational therapy or other professions related to medicine.

You learn by completing projects and assignments that are based on realistic workplace situations and activities. Work placements in health and care settings are essential to the course and provide valuable links between theory and practice.