Overview
Health and Social Care BTEC Level 3 AAQ National Extended Certificate, equivalent to one A Level.
The Health and Social Care AAQ is a vocational course, and a fantastic pathway for someone wanting to work in the medical, or health and social care sector.
We offer two Health and Social Care pathways including the Health and Social Care Diploma, which is equivalent to two A Levels. Both courses offer a varied content and are aimed at providing students with the knowledge, understanding and skills relevant to careers in health care and social care.
Students who wish to pursue a career in the Early Years’ sector can also study this course as the content in the unit on “Human Lifespan Development” covers development in children. Visits, case studies and input from visiting speakers form an important part of the course, giving students an opportunity to understand what is being studied in relation to real care settings. Both courses are two-year courses.
Entry Requirements
In addition to the College Entry Requirements, to qualify for this course you will also need to achieve a minimum of:
- Grade 4 GCSE English Language
Course Details
The Health and Social Care AAQ, equivalent to one A Level, has four units;
- Unit 1 ‘Human Lifespan Development’ covers physical, intellectual, emotional and social development across the human lifespan, the factors affecting development, and the effects of aging. This unit gives you a knowledge base for working with people in every stage of their lives, from the cradle to the grave. (exam unit).
- Unit 5 ‘Meeting Individual Care and Support Needs’ develops your understanding of the provision of support for people who have particular needs. It covers anti-discriminatory practices, ethical principles, communication approaches, and how professionals work in teams. (coursework unit).
- Unit 2 ‘Working in Health and Social Care’ (exam unit).
- Unit 14 ‘Physiological Disorders and their care’ (coursework unit).
The Health and Social Care AAQ, equivalent to one A Level, is new for the 2025/2026 academic year and has four units;
- Unit 1 – Human Lifespan and Development – covers physical, intellectual, emotional and social development across the human lifespan, the factors affecting development, and the effects of aging. This unit gives you a knowledge base for working with people in every stage of their lives, from the cradle to the grave. (exam unit).
- Unit 2 – Human Biology and Health – (exam unit).
- Unit 3 – Principles of Health and Social Care Practice – (coursework unit).
- One optional unit which could include -Health Policy and Wellbeing, Promoting Health Education, Safe Environments in Health and Social Care ).
Assessment
This course consists of four units studied over two years. Two units are exams assessment. The other two units are coursework.
Subject Combinations
Health and Social Care AAQ is equivalent to one A Level and not a complete programme in itself. You will need to choose two more courses, or a diploma (equivalent to two A Levels), to complete your study programme. Courses which are commonly taken alongside it and combine well in supporting this subject include; Sociology, Psychology, Biology, Geography, History, English Language, Physical Education, Human Biology AAQ and Applied Science BTEC.
University Destinations
The Health and Social Care AAQ is a recognised route to university.
Here are some typical University Destinations that our Health and Social Care students go on to. Click on a destination to see some examples of courses they have taken;
Careers
Students can progress to university for a wide variety of courses including Occupational Therapy, Nursing, Midwifery, Primary Teaching, Early Childhood Studies and Social Work.
Other students have gone straight into employment in a variety of fields related to the course – for example, going on to work as Nursery Assistants or Care Assistants or to join the Ambulance Service.
FAQs
Is it a good idea to take another vocational course with the Health and Social Care AAQ?
Taking a programme with coursework units can be demanding in relation to the sheer volume of assignments and deadlines you would be managing, but it may be the right thing to do in particular circumstances. However, including one or more A Level course in your study programme can also help you to develop your skills for example in essay writing, which is helpful for progression to study at a higher level afterwards. For guidance on how to decide on a study programmes, visit Choosing the Right Subjects
What extra support/enrichment activities are on offer?
Many students on these courses take part in the College’s Community Volunteers. These involve assisting in a local nursery or school or daycentre on a weekly basis for two terms.
There may also be an opportunity to carry out work experience at a local hospice. In addition, the department provides support in terms of guidance on careers, including support with personal statements and mock interviews.
How many lessons do I have a week?
For the Health and Social Care AAQ, equivalent to one A Level, you will receive four time-tabled lessons a week and an expectation to complete a further six hours working on research and completing coursework.
Students taking the Health and Social Care Diploma will have eight time-tabled lessons a week and an expectation to complete a further 10 hours on research and completing coursework.