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