Health Studies - Level 3

If you are clearly focused on a career in healthcare and related disciplines, such as nursing, midwifery, paramedic, social services and welfare work, this course is for you. It will provide you with opportunities for progression into higher education, with many of our successful students going onto study at university.

You will develop a range of skills and techniques, personal qualities, and the attitudes essential for working life in nursing and the associated industries whilst on this course.

You will study units such as:

• Human Lifespan Development
• Working in Health and Social Care
• Anatomy and Physiology for Health and Social Care
• Current Research in Health and Social Care
• Meeting Individual Care and Support Needs
• Work Experience in Health and Social Care
• Principles of Safe Practice in Health and Social Care
• Promoting Public Health

Additional units across the 2 years will include subjects such as Infection Prevention and Control, Physiological Disorders and their Care, Nutritional Health, Health Psychology.

During the first year of study you will complete nine units, six of which will be submitted for the Extended Certificate which is an A-level equivalent with UCAS points. Units are assessed through a mix of external exams, and coursework assessment.

Progression to year 2 is dependent upon achieving an overall Merit from the first year units, and the completion of all required units. The qualifications that you achieve all carry appropriate UCAS tariff points, and individuals wishing to progress to University are encouraged to look in advance at the course entry requirements, to ensure that they will meet these from both a GCSE and Tariff point perspective.

This course is continually assessed by a combination of:

• Exams
• Project and assignment work
• Demonstration of competence in a range of practical skills

At the end of the second year, learners will complete an Extended Diploma in Health & Social Care (Health Studies).

All students are expected to complete study hours in the Learning Resource Centre, and complete 120hrs of work placement in each year of the course.

How many UCAS points will I achieve on this course?

Our level 3 vocational courses qualify for UCAS tariff points to apply for university in the same way as A-Levels. This course is an extended diploma which is delivered over two years and you could achieve up to 168 UCAS points (which is equivalent to three A* grades at A-Level).

BTEC extended diplomas are graded as a pass, merit, distinction or distinction star (with distinction star being the highest grade) with the overall grade being a combination of three grades which represent an aggregation of your performance on mandatory and optional units on the course.

The following table gives some examples on the amount of UCAS points you can achieve on a BTEC extended diploma:

| BTEC grade | UCAS Points |
| --- | --- |
| 3x D| 168 |
| 2x D, D| 160 |
| D*DD | 152 |
| DDD | 144 |
| DDM | 128 |
| DMM | 112 |
| MMM | 96 |
| MMP | 80 |
| MPP | 64 |
| PPP | 48 |

Depending on your circumstances, you may study a smaller qualification, such as a subsidiary diploma (for example, if you only complete one year) or general diploma which may carry less UCAS tariff points.

You can find more details and examples on the UCAS tariff points calculator here.

You will need:

• 5 or more GCSEs at grade 4 or higher, which must include both English Language and maths, and preferably science. The science will be essential for anyone wanting to pursue a career in Paramedic Science.
• A satisfactory DBS check

Or:

• A relevant Level 2 qualification at Merit grade or higher
• Good grades at English and maths
• A satisfactory DBS check

If you are aged 19 or older, relevant industry experience may be accepted. However, you might also wish to look at courses such the Access programmes, which might be more suitable.

You will be invited to an information session to help us ensure the course is right for you.

Students typically progress onto Higher Education, including subject areas such as

• Midwifery
• Ambulance Technician
• Adult Nursing
• Paediatric Nursing
• Paramedic Science
• Occupational Therapy
• Mental Health Nursing
• Nursing Associate Apprenticeships