Free Level 3 Health and Social Care Course in Ashton-under-Lyne – Tameside College

CostFREE
Duration2 years
LevelLevel 3
DeliveryClassroom based
Start7 Sep 2026
Study modeFull-time
AttendanceDaytime
Awarding bodyNCFE awarding body

About this course

Free Level 3 Health and Social Care Course in Ashton-under-Lyne. Classes run at Tameside College, full-time over two years. This level 3 health and social care qualification covers a wide range of topics across health, care, and support settings. It is assessed both internally and externally, and sits at the same level as A Levels. You'll study subjects that prepare you for roles supporting people who may be vulnerable or need help with daily living. Entry requires five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English and maths.

Who this course is for

Are you caring, patient, observant and logical? Do you want to make a difference and have a rewarding career supporting others? Then this level 3 course is the course for you!

This is a full time, 2-year study programme, which covers a range of health and social care topics, which are assessed internally and externally. Learners will prepare for a health-related career with this Health and Social Care course, equivalent to A Levels. It will give you the opportunity to develop your academic and writing skills and apply your knowledge to a real-life setting during practical work experience.

Some of the topics covered are:

? Principles of Safe Practice in Health and Social Care

? Anatomy and physiology for health and social care

? Enquiries into current research in Health and Social care

? Promoting public health

� Human Lifespan Developmen

Entry requirements

Learners should have 5 GCSEs grade 4 or above including mathematics and/ or English. You will be required to re-sit your English and/ or mathematics alongside your health and social care course (If you do not already have grade 4).

You will be interviewed by the subject teachers and should be enthusiastic about working with individuals who may be vulnerable and/ or require some additional support with tasks of daily living.

you are required to have a disclosure and barring service check (D

What you will learn

  • You'll explore the principles of health and social care practice
  • You'll study human development across the life stages
  • You'll learn how to support individuals with their physical and emotional needs
  • You'll develop knowledge of safeguarding and protecting vulnerable people
  • You'll understand health conditions and how they affect daily life
  • You'll examine equality, diversity, and rights in care settings
  • You'll build knowledge of communication methods used in care environments

How you will learn

You'll learn through classroom-based sessions at Tameside College. The course uses a mix of internal assessment, such as assignments and coursework, and external assessment. You'll be interviewed before starting, and you'll need a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. If you don't already hold a grade 4 in English or maths, you'll resit those alongside your health and social care classes.

What you will need to bring

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

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Care assistant: supporting adults or older people day to day
  • Support worker: helping people with disabilities or mental health needs
  • Healthcare assistant: working in NHS wards or clinics
  • Early years practitioner: working in nurseries or children's centres
  • Residential care worker: supporting people in care homes
  • Community care worker: delivering care in people's own homes

What you could study next

  • Level 4 or 5 Diploma in Health and Social Care: moves you toward senior or management roles in care settings.
  • Nursing or Allied Health degree: many universities accept this Extended Diploma as equivalent to A Levels for entry to nursing, midwifery, or occupational therapy degrees.
  • CIPD Level 3 HR qualification: if you want to move into workforce roles within health or social care organisations.

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