Health and Social Care - Level 3 Triple Diploma

Summary

This two-year Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care is designed for students who are interested in developing a career in the health and social care sector and are planning to progress to higher-level study.

Equivalent to three A Levels and carrying the same potential UCAS tariff, this qualification will develop an in-depth understanding of the issues affecting human health and wellbeing throughout a person's lifetime. It explores the impact of ageing and how, as a society, we manage the social implications of this.

Additionally, the course looks at what it means to work in the health and social care sector, what roles are available and what the responsibilities of individual workers and organisations are. This is supported by a detailed examination of the practicalities of delivering care to meet people's care and support needs as well as looking at the principles of safe practice and sector regulation.

To cement students' classroom-based learning, an extended 100 hour work placement is a mandatory element of the course which enables students to put into practice the knowledge they have previously acquired.

Next course dates

Start date	Location	Duration
02 Sep 2026	Bispham Campus	2 Years	Apply now

Where can this subject lead?

Career progression

The aim of this course is twofold: to prepare students for further study at degree-level and to give them the transferable skills needed to transition directly into employment.

Students wanting to pursue higher-level study either at B&FC or at another institution will be ideally placed to apply for Level 4 programmes and beyond, where they will be able to acquire the additional experience and expertise to enter the health and care sector at a more senior level.

The course is also good preparation for employment with the enhanced work placement giving students the hands-on experience sought after by employers. There is also plenty of opportunity for students to learn and develop the skills that increase their employability. from active problem-solving and critical thinking to working collaboratively and becoming adaptable and resilient, both qualities essential in this line of work.

Next steps at B&FC

At B&FC students can progress onto a number of degree-level courses having successfully completed their Level 3 Triple Diploma. Options include:

Adult Health and Social Care - Certificate of Higher Education or Foundation Degree
Children, Young People and Families - Certificate of Higher Education or Foundation Degree
Counselling and Applied Psychology - HND
Mental Health and Resilience - Certificate of Higher Education or Foundation Degree
Early Childhood Studies - Certificate of Higher Education or Foundation Degree

Employment Opportunities

Potential roles for students wanting to transition directly into employment could include:

Health Care Assistant | Domiciliary Carer | Individual Support Assistant

Key information

Entry Requirements

Learners are required to have 4 GCSEs at Grade 4 or above including maths and English. An enhanced DBS check is required before starting the course.

Qualification obtained

BTEC National Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care

Fees and funding

Courses for learners who are 16-18 years old at the start of their course and resident in the UK are fully funded. You may also be entitled to further financial help to support your studies depending on your personal circumstances. For more details of these, please visit our page on Finance Support for School Leavers.

If you are not a UK resident, we will confirm whether funding is available when we process your application. If not, you may be liable for course fees.

Extra costs and equipment

All students are expected to provide their own stationery. There are no additional costs associated with this course.

What will I learn?

Learners taking this qualification will study eight mandatory units:

• Anatomy and Physiology for Health and Social Care

• Human Lifespan Development

• Working in Health and Social Care

• Meeting Individual Care And Support Needs

• Principles of Safe Practice in Health and Social Care

• Enquiries into Current Research in Health and Social Care

• Promoting Public Health

• Work Experience in Health and Social Care.

Essential skills: English and Maths

All school leavers at B&FC are encouraged to continue developing their English and maths skills as higher ability in both these subjects is linked to long-term career success and increased earning potential - irrespective of how well you performed at GCSE. If, however, you achieve a GCSE Grade 3 or less in either subject, you will also have the opportunity to work towards re-sitting these to enhance your paper-based qualifications. This won’t delay your career journey because you will be undertaking this programme of study at the same time as your chosen subject.

Industry placement, field trips and guest speakers

To develop a better understanding of the demands of and demonstrate their commitment and interest in the sector when applying for further study, learners are required to undertake a minimum of 100 hours’ of work experience as part of this course. Our specialist placement team will be on hand to support you finding a suitable placement which together with our extensive and longstanding relationships with employer partners should ensure your placement is enriching and relevant to your career goals.

How will I learn?

The programme primarily focuses on theoretical knowledge but also includes practical hands-on elements to enhance learning and application. This flexible approach ensures that students can engage with the material in a way that best suits their needs.

Interactive Lectures: Engaging lectures that encourage student participation and discussion.

Group Work: Collaborative projects and activities that foster teamwork and communication skills.

Practical Workshops: Hands-on sessions where students can apply theoretical knowledge in practical scenarios.

Online Resources: Access to a wealth of online materials, including videos, articles, and interactive modules.

These varied teaching methods ensure a comprehensive and dynamic learning experience.

Expert tutors

All tutors involved in the delivery of school leaver courses within the College are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver.

Our recruitment process ensures that tutors delivering a given programme are suitably qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and professional practice. The aim of this is to enrich our students’ learning experience and enable them them to get the inside track on what working in the industry is really like.

How will I be assessed?

Assessment for this qualification is specifically designed to include a range of assessment types and styles suited to vocational qualifications in the sector. You will be assessed via exams and set tasks as well as through coursework. Your set tasks will sometimes be practical in nature and you will be observed carrying out these tasks under certain conditions and within a set time frame.

Your level of achievement in the qualification will be determined by the depth of knowledge and the wide range of practical skills you are able to demonstrate throughout the programme.

Units are assessed using a grading scale of Distinction, Merit, Pass and Unclassified.