HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE

Extended Certificate

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Extended Certificate

Course Level

Level 3

Duration

2 years full-time

Entry

September

Fees

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Professionals in health and social care play a vital role in people’s wellbeing and in supporting the economy. The World Health Organisation (WHO) predicts a shortage of 10 million health workers by 2030, showing how important skilled care professionals are.

This one A-level equivalent Health and Social Care course is an excellent introduction to the sector. You can combine it with two A-levels to progress to a range of careers, such as healthcare assistant, nurse, or social worker.

Throughout the course, you’ll develop key academic, practical, and transferable skills that are valued by employers and universities. You’ll learn how to support others, build confidence, and work well as part of a team.

After completing the course, you can move on to a Health and Social Care degree, start an apprenticeship, or go straight into work in this essential and fast-growing sector.

Why choose A-levels at our sixth form centre?

  • PREPARE FOR UNIVERSITY AT A UNIVERSITY – We can provide you with relevant work placements, masterclasses, guest speakers, trips and more
  • AWARD-WINNING SUPPORT – We have won national awards for our student support, which our sixth form students can tap into, from tailored academic support to financial assistance and health and wellbeing services
  • OUTSTANDING LEARNING FACILITIES - We have invested £5.5 million into our brand-new sixth form centre, which includes lecture theatres, classrooms, science and computer labs, practical training facilities and open study spaces
  • MOVE UP TO UNIVERSITY – Want to keep studying at a higher level? This A-level equivalent course will support your progression to degree level
Find out more about our sixth form centre and our vision for our A-level students. View video.

Course breakdown

You will study the following mandatory topics over the course of two years:

Principles of Health and Social Care

  • Equality, diversity and rights in health and social care settings
  • Health and safety in health and social care settings
  • Legislation related to health and social care
  • Best practice in health and social care settings

Anatomy and physiology for health and social care

  • The cardiovascular system
  • The respiratory system
  • The digestive system
  • The musculoskeletal system
  • Control and regulatory systems
  • The reproductive system

Person-centred approach to care

  • Taking a person-centred approach
  • Meeting needs and providing support in a person-centred way
  • Communication skills needed to offer person-centred care

Supporting people with mental health conditions

  • Defining mental health
  • Mental health conditions
  • Mental health services
  • Treatment and support for mental health

You will also study two of the following units:

  • Supporting people with long-term physiological conditions
  • Investigating public health
  • Sexual health, pregnancy and post-natal health
  • Supporting healthy nutrition and lifestyles

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

  • You will need 4 GCSE at grade 5 or above, including GCSE in English (Language or Literature) and Maths to study this A-level equivalent course.

Supporting documents required

  • School applicants will be required to provide a school report, which must include attendance. This will be assessed in conjunction with your qualifications and application during the confirmation of your place at University College Birmingham.

Guaranteed progression

Students who achieve 56 UCAS points or more from this qualification will automatically be guaranteed a place on a degree course at University College Birmingham. Some undergraduate courses require additional entry requirements, so applicants are advised to check entry requirements before applying.

Key information

Teaching and assessment

You will be assessed throughout your course using a mixture of written exams and coursework assignments. Two of your units will be externally assessed by written examinations (‘Principles of health and social care’ and ‘Anatomy and physiology’). The remaining units will be assessed through the completion of assignment work. 

Our teaching and assessment is underpinned by our Learning and Teaching Strategy 2025-2030.

Centre of opportunities

Our sixth form centre taps into the wider university's networks to enhance student opportunities and gives you access to world-class university facilities.

Find out more

We are creating something unique and special for Birmingham and I am delighted you are considering us for your next steps. Studying A-levels requires discipline and determination, but it is also incredibly rewarding, offering you a deep insight into the subjects you choose to study. Sixth form is also an opportunity for you to discover what’s important to you and how you want to make your mark on the world. Our aim is to support and challenge you through this, while developing your character and widening your horizons so you flourish, professionally and personally. 

Rebecca Tigue Sixth Form Centre Principal

What will this course prepare you for?

This Health and Social Care course can be combined with A-levels to create a study programme that supports your career goals and prepares you for higher education. Pairing this course with A-levels in Biology and Psychology provides an excellent route into a degree in Nursing, Social Work, or other healthcare professions. Combining it with English and another A-level is also a great choice for those interested in teaching or careers related to education.

Nurse

Average Salary: £30,000

Social worker (NHS)

Average Salary: £31,071

Paramedic

Average Salary: £25,794

Community healthcare support worker

Average Salary: £19,000 – £24,000

Hired

We are here to support your career goals every step of the way. 

 

Find out more

Our new sixth form centre

University College Birmingham is to begin offering a range of A-level courses as part of a major multi-million-pound investment in a brand-new sixth form centre.

Read Story

A-levels this goes well with:

Biology A-level

From the intricate molecular world inside cells to how our body systems work, A-level Biology is the study of life in all its rich complexity. Intellectually stimulating, this course will encourage your curiosity and develop your scientific understanding, practical dexterity and mathematical problem-solving.

View course
Psychology A-level

Studying A-level Psychology, you will delve into topics such as memory, perception, social influence, abnormal behaviour and more. By embarking on this captivating journey of discovery, you will explore the complexities of human behaviour and the inner workings of our minds.

View course
English Literature A-level

The study of English Literature will enable you to explore the world in different time periods and in different social and cultural contexts. You will need to have a passion for reading, as you will cover a minimum of eight texts, including poetry, prose and drama.

View course
Sociology A-level

The study of sociology provides a lens through which we can critically analyse the structures, institutions and interactions that shape our world. An understanding of sociology is beneficial for everything from policing, law and politics to teaching, social work, journalism and business.

View course

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