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Free Level 3 Health and Social Care Course in St Albans – Townsend CofE School

CostFREE
Duration2 years
LevelLevel 3
DeliveryClassroom based
Start1 Sep 2026
Study modeFull-time
AttendanceDaytime
Awarding bodyPearson Edexcel awarding body
Apply now →

About this course

Free Level 3 Health and Social Care Course in St Albans. Classes run at Townsend CofE School. You'll need a grade 4 in GCSE English (Language or Literature) and at least four other grades at 4 to 9 to join. This two-year, full-time daytime health and social care qualification covers human development, safe practice, public health, and individual care needs. The Pearson Edexcel BTEC National Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care is assessed through a mix of external exams and coursework, across eight units including mandatory and optional subjects.

Who this course is for

Diploma in Health and Social Care

This course has 8 units of which 6 are mandatory and 3 are external.

6 mandatory units - 1 -Human Lifespan Development, 2- Working in Health and Social Care, 3 -Enquiries into Current Research in Health and Social Care, 4 - Meeting Individual Care and Support Needs, 5 - Principles of Safe Practice in Health and Social Care, 6 - Promoting Public Health

2 optional units from: Work Experience in Health and Social Care, Sociological Perspectives, Psychological Perspectives, Supporting Individuals with Additional Needs, Physiological Disorders and their Care, Nutritional Health

This course is the equivalent of 2 A Levels and taught over 2 years. UCAS points are as follows:

D*D*-112, D*D-104, DD-96, DM-80, MM-64, MP-48, PP-32

Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care

This course has 13 Units of which, 8 are mandatory, 4 are external.

8 mandatory units – as with the Diploma, plus: 7 – Work Experience in Health and Social Care, 8 – Anatomy and Physiology for Health and Social Care

5 Optional units: as with the Diploma, plus Understanding Mental Wellbeing and Assessing Children’s Development Support Needs

Entry requirements

Grade 4 in English (either Language or Literature) and at least 4 other 4-9 grades in other subjects

What you will learn

  • You'll explore how people develop physically, emotionally, and socially across their lifespan.
  • You'll study the principles of working in health and social care settings.
  • You'll examine current research in health and social care.
  • You'll learn how to meet individual care and support needs.
  • You'll understand safe practice principles in health and social care environments.
  • You'll study how to promote public health in communities.
  • You'll have the option to complete a work experience unit in a health or social care setting.
  • You'll explore sociological or psychological perspectives relevant to care practice.

How you will learn

You'll learn through classroom-based lessons at Townsend CofE School. The BTEC National Extended Diploma uses a combination of externally assessed exams and internally assessed coursework. Some units are assessed through set assignments and projects; others are assessed by Pearson Edexcel through timed exams or tasks. Six units are mandatory and two are chosen from optional subjects.

What you will need to bring

The centre will provide most materials. Townsend CofE School will confirm anything else you need before you start.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Care assistant: support people in residential or home care settings.
  • Healthcare support worker: assist clinical staff in NHS or private settings.
  • Support worker: work with adults or children with additional needs.
  • Early years practitioner: work in nurseries or children's centres.
  • Mental health support worker: assist people managing mental health conditions.
  • Social care worker: help individuals access community support services.

What you could study next

  • Foundation Degree or BSc in Health and Social Care: the BTEC National Extended Diploma at Level 3 meets entry requirements for many university health and social care degrees.
  • Nursing (Adult, Mental Health, or Children's): a common next step for those wanting to qualify as a registered nurse via a university degree programme.
  • Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Health and Social Care: a higher-level vocational route if you prefer to stay in college-based study.
Apply on townsend.herts.sch.uk →
Apply now →

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