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University & Professional Development

Download University & Professional Development prospectus

Quick facts

Qualification type Level 2 Diploma
Duration 1 year
Study times You will be expected to be in college for a minimum of 3 days per week, from 9:15 to 4:00. Your timetable will be confirmed at induction.
Entry requirements 4 GCSEs at grade 3 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 - 50 hours (work or industry placement towards the end of the academic year)

Is it for me?

This course will give you an introduction to working in the Health and Social Care sector, providing a valuable foundation for progression to further study or employment.  
This full-time course will support you in developing the essential skills relating to health and caring for people of all ages and in various settings. 
You will also develop invaluable character strengths during the course, such as confidence and resilience, with a real focus on your own personal journey and progression. We will also help you gain invaluable work-ready skills and experience, 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 as Healthcare Assistants, continued to study as an apprentice in the workplace or onto the full-time Level 3 course at the College. 

What you'll learn

You will study four core units and a further six units: 

  • Healthy Living - externally assessed 
  • Lifespan Development - externally assessed 
  • Communication Skills 
  • Care Values in Health and Social Care 
  • Working in the Health and Social Care Sector 
  • Nutrition 
  • Human Body Systems 
  • Individual Rights 
  • Equality and Diversity 
  • Therapeutic Activities for Adults in Health and Social Care 

Work experience placements

A compulsory part of the course is work placement and you will need to complete in the region of 50 hours to pass the course. Work placements are organised by the work placement team.

Assessment

The qualification has all internally assessed units are internally assessed in a variety of ways: course work, assignments, presentations and a work placement visit. 

Further study

Health and Social Care Extended Diploma Level 3 
Psychology and Human Sciences Level 2 
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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