BTEC in Health and Social Care

The BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care is a two-year vocational programme equivalent to three A levels. It is designed for learners who wish to progress to higher education or employment in the health, social care, or early years sectors. The qualification combines theoretical knowledge with applied learning, giving students the opportunity to develop both academic understanding and practical skills required in professional practice.

Subject content

Students complete a total of 13 units: 8 mandatory and 5 optional.

Mandatory units (core learning areas):

• Human Lifespan Development – growth and development through the life stages and the factors that influence them.

• Working in Health and Social Care – roles, responsibilities, and values of professionals within the sector, including safeguarding and ethics.

• Anatomy and Physiology for Health and Social Care – structure and function of the human body and how systems support health.

• Enquiries into Current Research in Health and Social Care – research methodologies and analysis of contemporary issues affecting practice.

• Meeting Individual Care and Support Needs – principles of person-centred care, planning, and delivery of support services.

• Work Experience in Health and Social Care – supervised placement in a care setting, with evaluation of skills and learning.

• Principles of Safe Practice in Health and Social Care – health, safety, risk management, and safeguarding in practice.

• Promoting Public Health – public health strategies, health promotion campaigns, and evaluation of effectiveness.

Optional units (examples from which learners select five):

• Sociological Perspectives in Health and Social Care

• Psychological Perspectives in Health and Social Care

• Supporting Individuals with Additional Needs

• Nutritional Health

• Caring for Individuals with Dementia

• Physiological Disorders and Their Care

• Microbiology for Health Science

This range of optional content allows learners to specialise or broaden their focus depending on career interests.

Assessment

The Extended Diploma uses a combination of internal and external assessment:

• Internal assignments (coursework, projects, presentations, and case studies): approximately two-thirds of the course.

• External assessments (exams and set tasks): approximately one-third of the course. These include written exams in Human Lifespan Development and Anatomy and Physiology, and controlled assessment tasks such as Developing a Health Campaign.

  
  

This approach ensures that students can demonstrate both academic knowledge and applied competence.

Progression routes

The qualification is widely recognised by universities and employers. Typical progression routes include:

• Higher education: Degrees in nursing, midwifery, social work, occupational therapy, paramedic science, psychology, counselling, public health, and related disciplines.

• Apprenticeships and professional training: Such as healthcare assistant practitioner, early years educator, or social care roles.

• Employment: Direct entry into the health and social care sector as care assistants, support workers, or administrative staff in health organisations.

Because the qualification carries full UCAS tariff points, it enables access to a wide range of higher education programmes.

Transferable skills gained

In addition to sector-specific knowledge, students develop a wide set of transferable skills, including:

• Communication skills: working with clients, families, and professionals, and preparing professional documentation.

• Teamwork and collaboration: effective working with colleagues in health and care settings.

• Problem solving and critical thinking: applying knowledge to real-life case studies and scenarios.

• Research and analytical skills: investigating current issues, using evidence, and evaluating interventions.

• Empathy and ethical awareness: understanding diverse needs and applying principles of equality, inclusion, and safeguarding.

• Professional behaviours: reliability, resilience, confidentiality, and reflective practice.