Health and Social Care BTEC at Esher Sixth Form College

health and social care students performing a blood pressure check

students in front of an anatomy model in a health and social care classroom

students practice First Aid on dummy models

Health and Social Care students wearing purple polo shirts talk to residents in a care home

Health and social care students reading from cards in a classroom

boy and girl student are shown by a teacher how to take blood pressure

Students in a health and social care classroom doing a blood pressure check

Health and Social Care BTEC Level 3 AAQ National Extended Certificate, equivalent to one A Level.

The Health and Social Care AAQ is a vocational course, and a fantastic pathway for someone wanting to work in the medical, or health and social care sector.

This course offers a varied content, aimed at providing students with the knowledge, understanding and skills relevant to careers in health care and social care.

Students who wish to pursue a career in the Early Years’ sector can also study this course as the content in the unit on “Human Lifespan Development” covers development in children. Visits, case studies and input from visiting speakers form an important part of the course, giving students an opportunity to understand what is being studied in relation to real care settings.

In addition to the College Entry Requirements, to qualify for this course you will also need to achieve a minimum of:

Grade 4 GCSE English Language

The Health and Social Care AAQ, equivalent to one A Level, has four units;

Unit 1 – Human Lifespan and Development – covers physical, intellectual, emotional and social development across the human lifespan, the factors affecting development, and the effects of aging. This unit gives you a knowledge base for working with people in every stage of their lives, from the cradle to the grave. (exam unit).
Unit 2 – Human Biology and Health – (exam unit).
Unit 3 – Principles of Health and Social Care Practice – (coursework unit).
One optional unit which could include -Health Policy and Wellbeing, Promoting Health Education, Safe Environments in Health and Social Care ).

This course is assessed by 50% Coursework and 50% exams. Two units are exams assessment. The other two units are coursework.

Exam board is Pearson (Edexcel).

Health and Social Care AAQ is equivalent to one A Level and not a complete programme in itself. You will need to choose two more courses, or a diploma (equivalent to two A Levels), to complete your study programme. Courses which are commonly taken alongside it and combine well in supporting this subject include; Sociology, Psychology, Biology, Geography, History, Physical Education, and Human Biology AAQ.

Is it a good idea to take another vocational course with the Health and Social Care AAQ?
Taking a programme with coursework units can be demanding in relation to the sheer volume of assignments and deadlines you would be managing, but it may be the right thing to do in particular circumstances. However, including one or more A Level course in your study programme can also help you to develop your skills for example in essay writing, which is helpful for progression to study at a higher level afterwards. For guidance on how to decide on a study programmes, visit Choosing the Right Subjects

What extra support/enrichment activities are on offer?
Many students on these courses take part in the College’s Community Volunteers. These involve assisting in a local nursery or school or daycentre on a weekly basis for two terms.

There may also be an opportunity to carry out work experience at a local hospice. In addition, the department provides support in terms of guidance on careers, including support with personal statements and mock interviews.

How many lessons do I have a week?
For the Health and Social Care AAQ, equivalent to one A Level, you will receive four time-tabled lessons a week and an expectation to complete a further six hours working on research and completing coursework.

The Health and Social Care AAQ is a recognised route to university.

Here are some typical University Destinations that our Health and Social Care students go on to. Click on a destination to see some examples of courses they have taken;