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