Outline

The course combines academic study with practical health and social care topics, helping you understand people, health and professional care.

Human Lifespan Development

Explore physical, intellectual, emotional and social development from birth through to old age.

Human Biology and Health

Develop your understanding of how different body systems work and explore how illnesses and disorders can affect health.

Principles of Health and Social Care Practice

Explore person-centred care, communication, safeguarding, equality and the professional values that underpin effective health and social care practice.

Promoting Health Education

Explore how education, campaigns and behaviour-change strategies can empower individuals and communities to make informed choices and improve their health and wellbeing.

Additional course opportunities

Alongside your academic studies, you will be encouraged to secure appropriate volunteering and work experience opportunities.

These experiences can help you apply your learning in real-world settings and develop your understanding of the health and social care sector.

Progression

Health and Social Care can support progression into careers and further study across the health, care and community sectors.

The NHS

The course can support progression towards careers including:

  • Nursing
  • Midwifery
  • Occupational Therapy

Helping Professions and Community Support

You could also progress towards careers focused on supporting individuals and communities, including:

  • Social Work
  • Counselling
  • Youth Work
  • Community Work

Further progression

After completing the course, you could also progress to:

  • University degree courses
  • Higher apprenticeships

Assessment

The course is assessed through an equal combination of examinations and coursework.

Examinations

You will complete two external examinations, with each examination worth 25% of your overall qualification.

Together, the examinations account for 50% of the course.

Coursework

You will complete two coursework units, with each unit worth 25% of your overall qualification.

Together, coursework accounts for the remaining 50% of the course.

This combination allows you to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding through both external assessment and coursework completed throughout your studies.

Entry Requirements

A combination of 5 Grade 4’s and 5’s or above at GCSE (including maths and English). * One Vocational Qualification in a related subject area will be considered in place of a GCSE.

* Fees

Don’t let the cost of studying put you off – most of our students study for FREE, and those who don’t qualify for funding are very often eligible for an Advanced Learner Loan.

Eligibility depends on both the course you have chosen to study and your individual circumstances.

Apply

To add a course to your application, click 'Apply', once you have selected all your courses, click 'My Applications' top right, to continue the application process.

Academic Yr

Select your choice below:

Name

Available At

Start Date

Fee

Apply

Academic Yr

27/28

Name

AAQ BTEC National in Health and Social Care (Certificate)

Available At

Pendleton Sixth Form College

Start Date

01/09/2027

Fee

£0*

Don’t let the cost of studying put you off – most of our students study for FREE, and those who don’t qualify for funding are very often eligible for an Advanced Learner Loan.

Eligibility depends on both the course you have chosen to study and your individual circumstances.

Academic Yr

27/28

Name

AAQ BTEC National in Health and Social Care (Extended Certificate)

Available At

Pendleton Sixth Form College

Start Date

01/09/2027

Fee

£0*

Don’t let the cost of studying put you off – most of our students study for FREE, and those who don’t qualify for funding are very often eligible for an Advanced Learner Loan.

Eligibility depends on both the course you have chosen to study and your individual circumstances.

Academic Yr

27/28

Name

AAQ BTEC National in Health and Social Care (Extended Certificate)

Available At

Pendleton Sixth Form College

Start Date

31/08/2026

Fee

£0*

Don’t let the cost of studying put you off – most of our students study for FREE, and those who don’t qualify for funding are very often eligible for an Advanced Learner Loan.

Eligibility depends on both the course you have chosen to study and your individual circumstances.

Please confirm you are applying to start in the
Academic Year