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Health and Social Care - Level 3
Overview
IMPORTANT
Applications are now open for academic year 2026/2027, but our full-time courses are still being finalised. If your chosen course changes, we'll contact you to offer a suitable alternative that matches your goals. For more information, call our Enquiries Team on 0808 100 3626.
Unsure whether you want to pursue a career in health or social care? This course covers both health and social care, allowing you to get a taste of both sectors before specialising with optional modules in your second year.
You will have the opportunity to practice your communication skills in our specialist ward with AI simvoc and robots, in addition to infection, prevention, and control techniques. Also, you will hear from a range of industry specialists through our 'Meet the Expert' Week and masterclasses throughout the year.
What will I study?
This covers a wide range of areas including:
- Equality, diversity and rights in health and social care
- Human growth and development
- Safeguarding and protection in health and social care
- Communication in health and social care
- Infection prevention and control in health and social care
- Psychological perspectives in health and social care
- Sociological perspectives in health and social care
- Working in health and social care.
Year 2 mandatory units:
- Empowerment in health and social care
- Protection of children, young people and adults in health and social care
- Anatomy and physiology for health and social care
- Personal and professional development.
You will also be required to study three further optional modules which will be related to your chosen pathway - either health or social care.
Alongside your studies, you must attend a minimum of 175 hours of work placement across year 1 and year 2. We work alongside NHS, Skills for Care, Nottinghamshire Carers Association, Nottinghamshire County Council, and Nottingham Trent University.
- Entry requirements
This course is only available to 16-18 year olds.
- 4 GCSEs grade 4-9 including English Language and Science*
- GCSE Maths at grade 3-9 (if you have a grade 3, you will have to study Maths alongside this course)
- A successful DBS check.
*If you wish to progress into a health-related degree - please check your university options as entry grades may differ.
Please ensure that you check university websites for acceptance of this course for social care and health-related pathways.
- Assessment
You will be internally and externally assessed via coursework (graded from A* to D) and three set exams (one in year 1 and two in year 2).
Students must be successful in all components to complete this course:- Passing all assignments
- Successful completion of 175 hours of work placement
- Passing the controlled assessment - external exam in year 1
- Passing the controlled assessment - external exam in year 2
- Passing the anatomy and physiology exam in year 2.
- Progression
- Skilled employment
- Higher education (university*).
*To find out how many UCAS points this course carries, and to receive advice on your Higher Education options, please contact the college’s enquiries team on 0808 100 3626 and ask to be transferred to the Head of Department for this subject area. They can provide the most up-to-date information.
As a partner college of Nottingham Trent University (NTU), you may also be eligible for a range of benefits if you choose to progress to NTU after completing your course. For more information, please visit Progress NTU.
- Careers
- Qualifications gained
- Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care
- NCFE CACHE
- Additional costs
At West Notts College, our students benefit from excellent facilities and equipment across all campuses. However, some courses require students to purchase specific tools, equipment, or specialist clothing to fully participate in practical learning.
Visit our kit lists page to see what clothing and equipment you’ll need, and start preparing for your studies in September.
- Studying Healthcare and Health Sciences at West Notts College
Discover what it is really like to study with us. Explore the full range of courses available, hear from our students, see the facilities you will train in, and discover the employer partners you could work with.
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Disclaimer
Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information on the website is correct, some details may be subject to change. West Nottinghamshire College reserves the right to make amendments to the courses, dates, fees or other details, and to make cancellations or changes if numbers are insufficient. In the unfortunate situation that we have to cancel a course we will refund your fees in full, but we regret we are not able to offer any refund if you withdraw from your course or fail to start, and you will be liable to pay any outstanding fees that may be due.
