Hereford Sixth Form College

Health & Social Care BTEC National Extended Certificate

Equivalent to one A Level

This BTEC qualification is for those interested in learning about the health and social care sector. It is equivalent to one A Level and typically makes up one third of a full time two year study programme.

What does the course involve?

By studying this course, you will develop industry specific knowledge and skills that will help you to progress in your future career, including caring and safeguarding for adults and children, physiology and psychology.

The course consists of a combination of continual assessment through written assignments and end of year examinations.

You will gain an introductory understanding of the health and social care sector through the study of the following units:

Year One

Meeting Individual Care and Support Needs

• Assignment
• You will focus on the principles and practicalities that underpin meeting individuals' care and support needs, which are the foundation of all the care disciplines.

Human Lifespan Development

• Examined
• You will cover physical, intellectual, emotional and social development across the human lifespan and the factors affecting development and the effects of ageing.

Year Two

Psychological Perspectives

• Assignment
• You will explore key theoretical perspectives that have been put forward on psychological and physical development and how they are applied to different health and care settings.

Working in Health and Social Care

• Examined
• You will explore what it is like to work in the health and social care sector, including the roles and responsibilities of workers and organisations.

Work experience

Although not compulsory, it is useful to arrange relevant work experience in a health and social care setting as this will help you gather evidence for your assignments and will support your understanding of the examined material.

What can you do after the course?

The qualification, when taken alongside other Level 3 programmes, will enable you to progress to a degree programme chosen from the health and social care sector. It can be taken alongside, for example: 

• A Levels in Biology and Psychology which could lead to a BSC(Hons) in Nursing
• A Levels in English and History which could lead to a BA(Hons) in Primary Education

Want to know more?

These factsheets provide lots more information about BTECs in general and about the Health & Social Care courses.

BTEC Health & Social Care Factsheet

BTEC Health & Social Care Case Study

Meg talks about the Health and Social Care course at Hereford Sixth Form College