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University & Professional Development

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Quick facts

Qualification type Level 3 Diploma
Duration 2 years
Study times You will be expected to be in college for a minimum of 3 days per week, from 9:15 to 4:00. You will additionally go into placement 1 day a week. Your timetable will be confirmed at induction.
Entry requirements 5 GCSEs at grade 4 or above including maths and English. You will also be invited to an interview which you must pass successfully alongside a clear DBS check.
Campus West Suffolk College Sixth Form Campus, Bury St Edmunds
Work placements Yes - 100 hours per year - starting in the November of the first year of study.

Is it for me?

This Health and Social Care Level 3 Diploma is a substantial academic and vocational qualification, the equivalent to three A Levels.
It will provide you with the opportunity to develop your knowledge, understanding and skills in Health and Social Care, enhancing your professionalism in caring for people of all ages and in various settings. 
This course is a two-year, full-time programme involving modules such as Safe Practice, Nutrition, Meeting Individual Care and Support Needs, Lifespan Development, Anatomy and Physiology and Public Health.  
Focusing on your vocational, study and employability skills, you will also develop invaluable character strengths such as confidence and resilience, with a focus on your personal journey and progression, preparing you fully for a successful career in one of the many pathways within Health and Social Care. 
Previous students have gone on to employment, continued to study as an Apprentice in the workplace or onto Health and Human Sciences degree's such as Nursing, Paramedic Sciences, Midwifery and many more.  

What you'll learn

Lifespan Development 
Anatomy 
Care Needs 
Psychology 
Safe Practice 
Nutrition 
Physiology 
Public Health

 

Any student who does not hold a GCSE at grade 9 to 4 or equivalent qualifications in maths and English by age 16 will need to continue to study these subjects in each academic year. 

Work experience placements

There is a specialised work placement which will enable you to complete work-set projects that develop workplace skills to prepare for employment and vocationally based further study. This is supported by many regional Health and Social Care providers, including care, health, and social environments as well as specialist schools.  
You will need to complete in the region of 100 hours per year to pass the course.  

Assessment

There is a mixture of internal assessments and external examinations. 

Further study

Psychology and Health Level 3 
Psychology and Social Sciences Level 3 
T Level in Health Nursing/Midwifery Pathway 
T Level in Health Therapeutic Pathway 
T Level in Healthcare Science 
Working in the Health and Care Sector Level 3 
BA (Hons) Integrative Counselling 
BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies 
BSc (Hons) Psychology 
BSc (Hons) Psychology and Criminology 
BSc (Hons) Sociology and Criminology 

Example careers

Paramedic
Nurse 
Cardiologist
Care Worker
Psychologist 
Activity and Wellbeing Coordinator
Anthropologist
Counsellor 
Social Worker
Youth worker 
Teacher
Occupational Therapist 
Midwife
Health Visitor 
Rehab Worker
Healthcare Assistant

Days & times

Starting September 2025


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