Health and Social Care AAQ BTEC National Extended Certificate Level 3

Applications Open - 20 November 2025 at 8am

Applications Close - 6 February 2026 at 15:00 (Except Beauty L2 which closes on the 22nd May).

General Entry Requirements:

Our level 3 Sixth Form entry requirements are five GCSEs at Grades 9-4 including Maths and English minimum Grade 4. However, please read the course information, which, provides specific details of course content and entry requirements.

For level 2 courses please read the course information.

Subjects: -

Level 3 - Enter your choices in order of preference for Level 3 courses. Students need to select the equivalent of 3 courses (Triple counts as 3), with 2 reserve options if selecting Level 3 courses. Year 12 are expected to study the equivalent of three subjects. Once we close to applicants on the 6 February the options selected will be reviewed and if required we will be in contact.

Level 2 - just add the course required, eg beauty, finance or fitness. However, please look up all entry requirements for individual subjects as some subjects require specific subjects and grades.

Timetable Blocks- Please read carefully: Level 3 Courses Please select 3 subjects and 2 reserve subjects by placing them in a ranked order/ or a Pathway. Once applications close we will review all subjects requested and may be in contact at this time to discuss your chosen subjects further.

Additional optional qualifications such as Arts Award (Gold),Core Maths, Further Maths and the EPQ are not applied for at the Kent Choice stage further information will be provided in the 6th Form induction if you would like to undertake this course in addition to your core qualifications.

How to Apply - Via Kent Choices or through link on our website https://www.hernebayhigh.org/sixth-form/how-to-apply

Further Information: We reserve the right to withdraw courses if insufficient numbers are attracted.

Any queries, please contact 6form@hernebayhigh.org

The Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Health and Social Care (AAQ) 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. The course incorporates a range of units that allow students to follow a multitude of pathways associated with health and social care, such as nursing, social work and working with children. The course consists of both coursework and examinations creating a balance of assessment methods and builds on knowledge and skills learnt at GCSE.

Skills gained will provide a broad introduction to Health and Social Care. You will learn transferable knowledge and skills for higher education including the ability to learn independently, research actively and methodically, be able to give presentations and being an active group member. The course includes three mandatory units, Human Lifespan and Development, Human Biology and Health, Health and Social Care Practice. Students will then complete an additional unit investigating policy, health education or health science. Initially students will examine physical, intellectual, emotional and social development across the human lifespan, this will build on any knowledge learnt during GCSE. Students will then move onto focus on the principles that underpin meeting the care and support needs of individuals that are the foundations of all services within health and social care.

Coursework and Examination

There are three mandatory units; learners must also complete one optional unit.

• Human Lifespan and Development – Physical, Intellectual, Emotional and Social Development. 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

2 Year Course - Normally 5 GCSE grades in the range of 9-4, including Maths, English and Science (minimum Grade 4)

You could take this course with other advanced level courses or equivalent to prepare for higher education, BTEC Higher Nationals or NVQ Levels 3 and 4 in areas of medicine, childcare, healthcare, Nutrition, or more general higher education courses. With further training, you could go into a job related to Health and Social Care such as a Nurse, Midwife, Dietician, Teacher or areas of Social Work. The course will also help you develop the skills, understanding and knowledge that many employers across lots of industries are looking for, especially in the social sectors.