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Free Level 2 Health and Social Care Course in Birmingham – University College Birmingham

CostFREE
Duration1 year
LevelLevel 2
DeliveryClassroom based
Start14 Sep 2026
Study modeFull-time
AttendanceDaytime
Awarding bodyPearson Edexcel awarding body
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About this course

Free Level 2 Health and Social Care Course in Birmingham. Classes run at University College Birmingham, full-time during the day, over one year. You'll study mandatory units alongside optional specialist units, covering the knowledge and skills used across health and social care settings. One day a week is spent on work placement, with block placements also included, giving you direct experience in care homes, hospitals, schools, and similar environments. This is a strong starting point for a health and social care qualification before moving into employment, an apprenticeship, or a Level 3 course.

Who this course is for

The Level 2 BTEC First Extended Certificate in Health and Social Care supports young people to succeed and progress in their education and chosen career pathway. The knowledge, understanding and skills learned in studying a BTEC First supports progression to further study and enables you to take responsibility for your own learning and develop essential skills for the modern-day workplace.

This qualification has mandatory units and optional specialist units that ensures that you have broad and balanced coverage of the vocational sector. Through industry placements, you will also get to explore many different areas of work and gain vital practical experience alongside your studies.

Setting up your career path in the health and social care sector, where skilled healthcare workers are in high demand, this Level 2 gives you clear progression route to a Level 3 course, employment or an apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

Please refer to the University College Birmingham course page for specific entry requirements.

What you will learn

  • You'll explore the values and principles that underpin health and social care practice.
  • You'll study human development across the life stages.
  • You'll learn how to communicate effectively with individuals in care settings.
  • You'll examine health, wellbeing, and the factors that affect them.
  • You'll develop understanding of safeguarding and the duty of care.
  • You'll apply your learning in real workplace settings through industry placements.
  • You'll build practical skills using the college's simulation and health facilities.

How you will learn

This is a classroom-based course with a strong practical element. You'll complete assignments and projects based on workplace situations rather than sitting written exams. Assessment is through coursework tied to mandatory and optional specialist units. Alongside classroom study, you'll spend one day a week on work placement, with additional block placements, so your learning is grounded in real care environments from the start.

What you will need to bring

The centre will provide most materials. University College Birmingham will confirm anything else you need before you start.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Care assistant: support individuals in residential or home care settings.
  • Healthcare support worker: assist clinical staff in hospitals or GP practices.
  • School support assistant: work with children in educational or special needs settings.
  • Community care worker: provide care and support to people in their own homes.
  • Nursery assistant: support early years staff in childcare settings.
  • Social care support worker: help adults with learning disabilities or mental health needs.

What you could study next

  • Level 3 BTEC National in Health and Social Care: the natural next step if you want to go further in the sector, and can lead to higher education or senior care roles.
  • Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care (Adults): a work-based qualification suited to those moving into employment.
  • Apprenticeship in Adult Care or Healthcare Support: combine paid work with structured training at Level 2 or Level 3.
Apply on ucb.ac.uk →
Apply now →

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