Health and Social Care BTEC Extended Diploma - Level 3

90 or 180 Credit Course

Achieve a 90-credit diploma in your first year of study then top up to 180 credits on the extended diploma in the second year. The extended diploma gives you much more detail on the subject — it's the same as three A-levels and is a great route into university. If you already have 90 credits from another college, you can choose to top up to the extended diploma with just one year of study.

Introduction

If you want a career in social care or to take a degree in social work, sociology, psychology, social sciences, social policy, nursing or other care-related courses, then this course is for you. You'll need to pass a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (formerly CRB) to do this.

The course covers:

Communication and supportive skills for care work
Research for care
Sociology
Psychology
Health promotion
Practical caring skills
Health and safety
Life span development
Issues for people who use care
Anatomy and physiology.

Assessment

An external assessment and internally assessed assignments with practical and theoretical activities focusing on real work situations. You'll do work experience in a range of settings.

Next Steps

Move on to other health and social care courses at South Thames College. From the 90-credit diploma, move up to the extended diploma. From the extended diploma, progress to higher education, for example our HNC in Health and Social Care, or a degree at university, or look for work in a social care organisation.