Health and Social Care Pathway Level 3

Step 1: Apply

Step 2: Interviews and taster events

As part of your application you will be invited to book an interview, to discuss your chosen course, where you will meet with an academic tutor from your chosen area of study for an informal discussion about your course choices, to ensure you have chosen the best course for your future ambitions.

This will give you the opportunity to ask questions and discuss anything about the course that you are unsure about. Please ensure you check your confirmation email for full details, so you do not miss your appointment.

You are initially only able to book an interview for your first choice course, please let us know if you would subsequently like to be able to book interviews for other courses by emailing admissions@paston.ac.uk

Step 3: Offer

This stage provides you with an outcome of your recent interview, which will confirm if you have been made an offer of a place on your chosen course.

All offers are provisional until the point of enrolment and most of our course offers are conditional, meaning there is entry criteria you need to meet before enrolling. This will be outlined in your offer letter.

Sometimes we are unable to offer you a place on your chosen course. If this happens the reasons will be discussed with you at your appointment and we will look at alternative options with you. We will be in contact to confirm the outcome and what to do next. We also have a team of specialist Course Advisers who are more than happy to look at alternative options with you and answer any questions you may have.

Step 4: Enrolment

Enrolment is the final stage before starting your course with us and takes place within the last two weeks of August. We require you to be available to attend your appointment in person at college, so we can complete all the required steps to enrolling you on your chosen course.

We may ask you to bring some documents with you so please read your enrolment invitation carefully.

This brand new pathway will replace the discontinued BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma and will give you a fresh, modern and academically respected qualification route. You will study three Level 3 Extended Certificates, giving you a broad and exciting programme that prepares you for university, apprenticeships or direct entry into the health and care sector.

Throughout this two year pathway, you will study all three of the following Cambridge Advanced National (Alternative Academic Qualification) Level 3 Extended Certificates:

Health and Social Care – Extended Certificate:

You will explore how high quality care is provided and what it means to work in a person centred way. This will include communication, safeguarding, equality and diversity, supporting individuals with different needs, legislation and best practice.

Human Biology – Extended Certificate:

You will develop knowledge of the human body, including cells, tissues, body systems, diseases, genetics and biomedical techniques. You will also carry out practical investigations to build skills used in health and medical professions.

Mental Health: Individuals and Society – Extended Certificate:

You will learn how mental health is shaped by individuals, workplaces, communities and wider society. You will study changing attitudes, community support, mental health campaigns, and ways to improve wellbeing at personal and societal levels.

Together, these qualifications will give you a powerful mix of scientific understanding, applied care skills and mental health insight that reflects the needs of today’s health and social care sector.

You will complete a combination of exams and applied assignments, giving you the chance to show what you know in different ways.

Exams: Each qualification will include externally assessed exam units designed to test your knowledge and understanding. These exams will take place in January or June and will give you a strong academic foundation for higher education.

Applied Assignments (NEA): You will complete practical, real world assignments such as:

• Planning and promoting health or mental health campaigns
• Writing care plans
• Carrying out community and wellbeing research
• Completing science based investigations and lab tasks
• Analysing case studies

These assignments will be set by the exam board and marked by your teachers before being moderated.

A balanced assessment experience: This modern structure will help you build confidence in both academic and practical skills - perfect preparation for university and the workplace.

• Achieve five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English language and maths.
• Satisfactory completion of written taster day activities.
• Two positive references.
• Successful completion of a Disclosure Baring Service (DBS) check.

By completing all three Extended Certificates, you will gain three full Level 3 qualifications. This opens the door to a wide range of exciting next steps.

You will be able to progress to university courses such as:

• Health and Social Care
• Allied Health Professions (Occupational Therapist, Dieticians, Radiographers, Speech and Language Therapists)
• Public Health and Wellbeing
• Counselling and Mental Health
• Psychology or Sociology
• Biomedical Science, Human Biology or Life Sciences
• Nursing (Adult, Child, Mental Health, LD)
• Midwifery
• Paramedic Science
• Physiotherapy

You will also be able to progress to:

• Level 4/5 health and care apprenticeships
• Allied Health Support roles
• Community based training programmes

Whatever you aim for, these qualifications will give you the academic strength and applied experience to move forward confidently.

This pathway will prepare you for careers across the whole health and care sector. With further study or training, you will be able to move into roles such as: social worker, paramedic, occupational therapy or physiotherapy assistant, healthcare science support roles, public health worker, youth or community support worker, nurse or midwife and mental health support worker

These qualifications will give you the skills employers look for: communication, teamwork, scientific understanding, problem solving, compassion and the ability to work confidently with people.

By choosing the Level 3 Health and Social Care Pathway at Paston College, you will be studying a modern, respected and future ready programme built around real sector needs. You will gain three valuable qualifications, a broad skillset and a clear pathway into meaningful, rewarding careers that change lives.