AAQ Health and Social Care (Extended Certificate) Single

Applications Open: - 13th November 2025

Applications Close: - January 2026

Entry Requirements: - 5 levels 4 grades including English Language

How to Apply: - Please apply via KentChoices

Health and Social Care is extremely useful for a range of careers due to the many areas it covers, including early years, elderly care and the differing professions within any Health and Social Care setting. The option to attend University after the completion of the Level 3 Health and Social Care course is usually taken, with progressions on to nursing, midwifery and into the various areas of the social care sector. The specification complements other Post 16 courses, such as Applied Science for instance. Health and Social Care is usually appealing to students that have an interest in the area or that have taken the subject at Level 2. There are both coursework and exam-based elements, with some extended writing. Health and Social Care students often choose careers in the public sector, such as nursing, as a carer or social worker and teaching, as the course helps them to learn the skills, roles and responsibilities needed.

AAQ Extended Certificate (2-year course) - Equivalent in size to one A Level

Unit 1: Human Lifespan and Development (Exam)

Unit 2: Human Biology and Health (Exam)

Unit 3: Principles of Health and Social Care Practice (Coursework)

Unit ?: Additional Optional Unit (Coursework)

Health and Social Care is assessed by a combination of internally and externally assessed units.

To be accepted onto the course, a student should have at least five GCSEs at grade 4 including English and a Level 2 Health and Social Care qualification is not essential but preferred. Essay writing skills are also desirable alongside an expectation of having a wider interest in Health and Social Care.

You could progress onto higher education and careers such as Social Work, Nursing, Care Management, Occupational Therapy and many other related professions.