Are you interested in health care? Do you want to help others? If you are looking to develop your communication skills and an understanding of how to ensure an individual’s needs are met, then this qualification is for you. This course is a step up from the Level 2 qualification and builds on your understanding of development and the values needed to work in a range of settings.
Course Overview
This course is equivalent in size to one A Level. There are 4 units of which 3 are mandatory and 2 are external. This course presents a broad basis of study for the Health and Social Care sector building on understanding from the Level 2 qualification.
Find out how to apply for this course
Entrance Requirements
To study Health and Social Care at Level 3, students must obtain a Level 2 Merit or higher at GCSE Level, if taken. If students have not studied Health and Social Care at GCSE, they will instead need a Grade 5 or above in English and a Grade 4 in Science.
As with all A Level subjects, students must be prepared to carry out a considerable amount of private study and attend support sessions when appropriate.
Awarding Body
OCR
Assessment
Unit 1 – Written Exam: 1 hour 30 minutes
Unit 2 – Written Exam: 1 hour 30 minutes
Internally Assessed: 2 Units
Where could this course take me?
The qualification is intended to carry UCAS points and is recognised by higher education institutions as contributing to meeting admission requirements to many relevant courses. It can be taken alongside, for example:
• A Levels in Biology and Psychology, which could lead to a BSc (Hons) in Nursing and A Levels in English and History, which could lead to a BA (Hons) in Primary Education
• a BTEC National Diploma in Children’s Play, Learning and Development, which could lead to a BSc (Hons) in Social Work
• a BTEC National Extended Certificate in Sport, which could lead to a Foundation Degree in Sports Studies and Development
Why choose this course?
In this course you will learn lots of skills that are beneficial when preparing for employment such as:
- Cognitive and problem-solving skills: use critical thinking, approach non-routine problems applying expert and creative solutions, use systems and technology
- Intrapersonal skills: communicating, working collaboratively, negotiating and influencing, self-presentation
- Interpersonal skills: self-management, adaptability and resilience, self-monitoring and development.
What topics will I study?
M1: Human Lifespan Development (exam)
Learners cover physical, intellectual, emotional and social development across the human lifespan, and the factors affecting development and the effects of ageing.
M2: Human Biology and Health (exam)
Students explore the organisation, structure and normal physiological functioning of the human body, and the effect on health of common disorders of the body systems.
M3: Principles of Health and Social Care Practice (internal assessment)
Students focus on the principles that underpin meeting the care and support needs of individuals, which are the foundation of all services within health and social care.
O5: Promoting Health Education (internal assessment)
Students explore the purpose of health education, models and approaches to educating the public and encouraging behaviour change in the population.
How is the course assessed?
Unit 1: Human Lifespan and Development is an external written examination set and marked by Pearson. It is worth 80 marks and the paper is 1 hour 30 minutes.
Unit 2: Human Biology and Health is an external written examination set and marked by Pearson. It is worth 80 marks and the paper is 1 hour 30 minutes.
Unit 3 and 5: Internal Assessments
Internal assessments are run in school the same way the Level 2 assessments are run with time to prepare for the assessment, and they are run in classrooms.
What equipment will I need?
- You will need a revision guide: Pearson REVISE BTEC National Health and Social Care Revision Guide inc online edition – 2023 and 2024 exams and assessments: for home learning, 2022 … BTEC Nationals in Health and Social Care) : Baker, Brenda, O’Leary, James, Whitehouse, Marie, Shaw, Georgina: Amazon.co.uk: Books
- A folder and dividers to organise your work
- Suggested reading: A reading list for Health and Social Care learners (pearson.com)
Textbooks:
- BTEC National Health and Social Care Student Book 1: For the 2016 specifications (BTEC Nationals Health and Social Care 2016) on OnBuy
- BTEC National Health and Social Care Student Book 2: For the 2016 specifications (BTEC Nationals Health and Social Care 2016): Amazon.co.uk: Aldworth, Carolyn, Matthews, Nicola, Hocking, Sue, Lawrence, Pete, Snaith, Marjorie, Whitehouse, Mary, Haworth, Elizabeth: 9781292126029: Books
What other subjects go well with Health and Social Care?
Health and Social Care goes well with Science, Sport, Psychology and Sociology.
What summer work do I need to complete for this course?
Please find below the transition work to be completed over the Summer period.
