What is the course about?

The Pearson Level 3 Alternative Academic Qualification BTEC National in Health and Social Care (Extended Certificate) is an Alternative Academic Qualification (AAQ) designed for post-16 students with an interest in health and social care and aiming to progress to higher education as a route to graduate level employment. Equivalent to one A Level, it is suitable for students looking to develop their applied knowledge and skills in health and social care alongside two other A Levels.

Course content

The qualification has been developed in consultation with higher education representatives to ensure students have the knowledge, understanding and skills they need to progress to, and thrive, in higher education.

The qualification has three mandatory units covering the following topics:

• Human lifespan and development – PIES and factors affecting growth and development, interventions and the different professionals providing care and treatment.

• Human biology and health – human body structure and systems, normal physiological functioning and the impact of common disorders

• Health and social care practice – core principles, values and legislation that underpin and influence health and social care, and the effect of social determinants on an individual health status

Students have a choice from four optional units covering the following topics:

• Health, social policy and wellbeing – public health policy and its influences, including health-related organisations/groups and a range of strategic factors

• Promoting health education – health education, its purpose and use of different approaches and models to achieve positive health outcomes

• Safe environments in health and social care – appropriate provisions in services relevant to different needs; governance relating to safe environments

• Health science – types of infections and their potential impact on a local, national and international scale.

Assessment

Assessment is specifically designed to fit the purpose and objective of the qualification. It includes a range of assessment types and styles suited to vocational qualifications in the sector. There are three main forms of assessment that you need to be aware of: external, internal and synoptic.

Externally assessed units

Each external assessment for a BTEC National is linked to a specific unit. All of the units developed for external assessment are of 60, 90 or 120 GLH to allow students to demonstrate breadth and depth of achievement. Each assessment is taken under specified conditions, then marked by Pearson and a grade awarded.

Internally assessed units

Internally assessed units are assessed by a Pearson Set Assignment Brief (PSAB), which is set by Pearson, marked by the school and subject to external standards verification. 

Synoptic assessment

Synoptic assessment requires students to demonstrate that they can identify and use effectively, in an integrated way, an appropriate selection of skills, techniques, concepts, theories and knowledge from across the whole sector as relevant to a key task.

Career pathways

Nursing: adult, children’s, mental health, or learning disability nursing (often paired with A Level BioloPsychology, or Sociology).

Midwifery: progression into BSc (Hons) midwifery.

Allied health professions: paramedic science, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, diagnostic radiography, or speech and language therapy.

Social work and community services: social work (BSc/BA), youth work, community development, or social policy.

Psychology and mental health: mental health nursing, applied psychology, or counselling degrees.

Education and early years: primary teaching (BA QTS), special educational needs (SEN) studies, or early years education.

Entry criteria

Minimum of grade 6 in a science GCSE and a minimum of M2 or higher in child development.