Health and Social Care (AAQ) - Level 3 Alternative Academic Qualification

Applications Open: 21st November 2025 (9.00am)

Applications Close: 13th February 2026 (4.00pm)

How to apply:

- All INTERNAL applicants MUST apply via Applicaa using this link (coming soon!)

- All EXTERNAL applicants MUST apply via Kent Choices using this link https://www.kentprospectus.co.uk/login

- All correspondence between learners and the school after an application is made will be via Applicaa.

- All applicants (internal and external) will be invited in for a 1-1 guidance meeting.

- Those who have a successful guidance meeting will be offered a place to study at St John's Sixth Form from September 2026.

Course Details

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.

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.

Modules Studied

In the Extended Certificate you will study the following units:

• Unit 1 – Human Lifespan Development (External)

• Unit 2: Human Biology in Health (External)

• Unit 3 – Principles of Health and Social Care Practice (Internal)

Staff teaching the course will choose one optional unit which has been designed to support choices in progression to HSC courses in higher education.

Optional units include:

• Unit 4 – Health, Policy and Wellbeing (Internal)

• Unit 5 – Promoting Health Education (Internal)

• Unit 6 – Safe Environments in Health and Social Care (Internal)

• Unit 7 – Health Science (Internal)

Unit 11 - Psychological Perspectives – Coursework – Year 13

Unit 2 – Working in Health and Social Care - 1½ hr exam – Year 13

Unit 14 - Physiological disorders and their care - Coursework - Year 13

Unit 4 - Enquiries into Current Research in Health & Social Care - Controlled Assessment - Year 13

Exam Board: Pearson

Entry Requirements:

A minimum of 5 subjects at GCSE Grade 4/BTEC Level 2 Pass or higher

Including

• Grade 5 in GCSE English Language or Literature.

• Grade 4-4 in Combined Science or Grade 4 in GCSE Biology

What further learning will this qualification lead to?

This qualification can lead to progression to the following degrees:

• BSC Nursing

• BSC Social Work

• BSC Subjects Allied to Health

Which subjects will complement this qualification?

The following subjects would be suitable to combine with this qualification:

• Psychology

• Biology

• English.