Free Level 3 Health and Social Care Course in Preston. Classes run at Cardinal Newman College. You'll need five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including Maths or English Language, to apply. This two-year, full-time health and social care course covers human development, anatomy, nutrition, safe practice, and public health. Extended Diploma students also complete at least 100 hours of work experience in relevant settings and will need to pay for a DBS check. The course supports progression into nursing, midwifery, and allied health degrees.
Who this course is for
f you are interested in working with people of a variety of ages and in a range of settings, from babies or children to people with special needs or learning difficulties, to families and young people or the elderly and you are an approachable, trustworthy and enthusiastic person, this course may be for you.
Entry requirements
Five Grade 4s at GCSE with a 4 in Maths or English Language
What you will learn
You'll study human lifespan development and how people change across all life stages.
You'll explore how health and social care services work and what working in them involves.
You'll learn how to meet individual needs and support people with additional needs.
You'll cover principles of safe practice, including infection prevention and control.
You'll examine anatomy, physiology, and physiological disorders.
You'll learn how to assess children's development.
You'll study nutritional health and how to promote public health.
You'll carry out and analyse research relevant to health and social care.
How you will learn
Assessment combines written exams and coursework. Exam units include Human Lifespan Development, Working in Health and Social Care, Research in Health and Social Care, and Anatomy and Physiology. Coursework units cover topics such as meeting individual needs, safe practice, nutritional health, and infection prevention. Extended Diploma students also complete a supervised work experience unit, requiring at least 100 hours in relevant health and social care settings.
What you will need to bring
The centre will provide most materials. Cardinal Newman College will confirm anything else you need before you start. Extended Diploma students will need to budget for a DBS check, which is required before starting the work experience element of the course.
Where next
Jobs you could do
Care assistant: support adults or older people in care settings.
Support worker: work with people with learning disabilities or mental health needs.
Healthcare assistant: assist clinical staff in hospitals or GP practices.
Community support worker: help individuals live independently in the community.
Nursery worker: care for and support young children in early years settings.
Family support worker: work with families and young people in need.
What you could study next
Nursing (Adult, Child, or Mental Health): a degree-level route this qualification directly supports. Check individual university entry requirements.
Midwifery or Physiotherapy degree: the Extended Diploma with its human biology units supports applications to these competitive programmes.
Foundation degree in Health and Social Care: a shorter higher education route if you want to build further before committing to a full degree.
Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Health and Social Care: a Level 4 option if you want to progress into management or specialist roles.
