Health and Social Care BTEC Level 3 Extended Certificate

***** UPDATE FOR SEPTEMBER 2026 ENTRY *****

Thank you for your interest in our sixth form. We are no longer accepting applications. If you would like to be considered for a course in September, please take the following steps:

Current Sittingbourne School Students please speak to a member of the Sixth Form Team when you come to pick up your GCSE results on Thursday 20th August.

Students from other schools please bring us a paper copy of your results sheet on Friday 21st August 2026 between 10am and 12pm. Unfortunately we cannot accept a photograph of your results. Please come to the main school reception at Swanstree Avenue, Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 4NL.

Applications Open: Monday 3rd November 2025

Applications Close: Friday 17th July 2026

Entry Requirements: Our general entry requirements are:-

• A Levels – advanced courses, two year study programme, with an average entry requirement of at least five grade 5+ qualifications, including English and mathematics. Some subjects may have additional entry requirements.

• BTEC Level 3 – advanced courses, two year study programme, with an average entry requirement of at least five grade 4+ qualifications, including English and mathematics. Some subjects may have additional entry requirements.

• T Level - technical course, two year study programme, with an average entry requirement of at least five grade 5+ qualifications, including English and mathematics.

• BTEC Level 2 – One year programme, which could lead on to further studies, with an average entry requirement at least five grade 2 or above, including English and mathematics.

How to Apply: Please apply via Kent Choices

If applying to T Level Engineering, please include a second choice set of subjects within the same application.

Summary of skills students gain by studying this subject

The health and social care sector comprises two sub sectors; health care and social care. Health care encompasses all hospital activities, medical nursing homes and GP services, for example. The social care sector includes residential nursing care, residential nursing facilities, residential care facilities, domiciliary care and social work. Students are able to progress into work in the sector through degree programmes in nursing, midwifery, social work, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and pharmacy, for example. There are more than 300 distinct career paths in this sector.

The sector is a major employer, employing almost four million people across the UK

Potential Topics that will be studied

The content of this qualification has been developed in consultation with higher education to ensure it supports progression towards higher study. In addition, employers and professional bodies have been involved, in order to confirm that the content is also appropriate for those interested in working in the sector.

Students will complete the following mandatory units:

● Human Lifespan Development

● Working in Health and Social Care

● Meeting Individual Care and Support Needs.

Students are able to select one option unit that supports their progression to specialised degree programmes, and which covers the biological and sociological topics relevant to the different parts of the sector.

Optional units include:

● Sociological perspectives

● Psychological perspective

● Additional needs

● Physiological disorders.

Assessment

The course is made up of two externally assessed units, and two internally moderated coursework units.

Additional Course Entry Requirements

No prior study of the sector is needed, but students should normally have a range of achievement at level 2, in GCSEs or equivalent qualifications.

Progression and career opportunities

Because the Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Health and Social Care is generally taken alongside other qualifications, as part of a two year programme of learning, students will be able to choose a wide range of degree programmes to progress to, depending on the other subjects they have chosen.

This qualification is designed primarily to support progression to employment via higher education. It also supports students choosing to progress directly to employment as the transferable knowledge, understanding and skills will give successful students an advantage in applying for a range of entry level roles, industry training programmes and Higher Apprenticeships; for example, the Adult Social Care Apprenticeship or the Allied Health Profession Support Apprenticeship.