Pearson Level 3 Alternative Academic Qualification (AAQ) BTEC National in Health and Social Care (Extended Certificate)

The Extended Certificate is for students who are interested in learning about the health and social care sector alongside other fields of study, with a view to progressing to a wide range of higher education courses, not necessarily in health and social care-related subjects. It is designed to be taken as part of a programme of study that includes A Levels. 

BTECs embody a fundamentally student-centred approach to the curriculum, with a flexible, unit-based structure and knowledge applied through a balanced combination  of assignments and examinations. They enable the holistic development of the practical, interpersonal and thinking skills required to succeed in higher education and employment. Employers are looking for future employees with a thorough grounding in the latest industry requirements and work-ready skills such as critical thinking and problem solving.  Higher education needs students who have experience of research, extended writing and meeting deadlines.  

Lead Practitioner - Miss K Hare

Subject Teachers - S Penfold

KS5

What will be studied:

The qualification is equivalent to ONE A Level and offers a broad basis of study for the health and social care sector. It is designed to support progression to higher education or the workforce when taken alongside A Levels.

How is this course assessed?

Across the two years learners will undertake four units, two internal and two external. There are two mandatory examined units and one mandatory internally assessed unit. Students will select a further optional unit from the four available. The internally assessed units give students the opportunity to engage in applied knowledge and understanding tasks to develop their health and social care knowledge.

The mandatory content (75%):

• Unit 1: Human Lifespan & Development (90 GLH) - external examination
• Unit 2: Human Biology  (90 GLH) - external examination
• Unit 3: Principles of Health and Social Care Practice (90 GLH) -  synoptic internal assessment

Optional content (25%):
ONE of the following -  internal assessment:

• Unit 4: Health, Policy and Wellbeing
• Unit 5: Promoting Health Education
• Unit 6: Safe Environments in Health and Social Care
• Unit 7: Health Science

Content warning: 

Please be aware that the themes and topics in some units may contain mentions of upsetting or difficult topics which are related to the subject, including references to the following: 

• Child protection and welfare
• Safeguarding 
• Child abuse; physical abuse and injury, neglect, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, domestic abuse.

Grading for units and qualifications

Achievement in the qualification requires a demonstration of depth of study in each unit, assured acquisition of a range of practical skills required for employment or progression to higher education, and successful development of transferable skills.

Learners achieving a qualification will have achieved across mandatory units, including external and synoptic assessment. The qualification carries UCAS points and is recognised by higher education institutions as contributing to meeting admission requirements to many relevant courses.

The overall qualification grading includes:

BTEC Grade	A Level Grade Equivalent	UCAS Points
Distinction* (D*)	A*	56
Distinction (D)	A	48
Merit (M)	C	32
Pass (P)	E	16

Which subjects will complement this qualification?  

The following subjects would be suitable to combine with this qualification: 

• Psychology 
• Sociology 
• Biology 
• English

What further learning will this qualification lead to?  

This qualification can lead to progression to the following degrees: 

• BSC Nursing 
• BSC Social Work 
• BSC Subjects Allied to Health

Students from previous years have gone onto study a diverse range of subjects at university including: Nursing and Midwifery, Physiotherapy, Social Work, Dietetics and Education.