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Health and Social Care

AAQ Level 3 / 2 year Course

The Level 3 Qualification in Health and Social Care is designed to provide a highly specialist work-related qualification in the health, social care and early years sectors. It gives students the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to prepare for higher education programmes, apprenticeships or employment.

More On This Course

The qualification has been developed in collaboration with employers and representatives from higher education and professional bodies to ensure students have the knowledge, understanding, skills and attributes relevant to Health and Social Care. Within this qualification, two examination units are studied.

The first, Human Lifespan and Development (Unit 1) allows students to learn about factors which can influence human growth, development and human health.

The second examination is entitled Human Health and Biology (Unit 2). This unit explores the structure and function of the human body, from cells and tissues to organs and body systems. Students learn how the body maintains normal functioning, including respiration, energy metabolism and homeostasis and examine how common disorders, such as coronary heart disease and diabetes, affect health.

Coursework units are also undertaken.

Teaching and Learning Methods

Students will develop their critical thinking skills, resilience and interpersonal skills and learn how to research actively and independently and become an effective writer. As 50% of the course is assessed through external examinations, students will also develop exam-based skills.

Assessment

It is equivalent to one A Level and it includes four units, two of which are externally assessed by written examinations. The other two units are internally assessed through coursework. Qualifications are graded using a unit grading scale of Pass-Distinction* and are recognised by UCAS with a tariff of 56 points for a Distinction*, which is the same tariff as an A* for an A Level.

Skills and Careers Insight

AAQ Level 3 Health and Social Care equips you with essential skills in communication, empathy, critical thinking, and practical care, all of which are crucial for working in the health and social care sectors. You’ll learn about human development, health promotion, safeguarding, and the principles of care. This qualification opens doors to a wide range of careers, including roles in healthcare, social work, nursing, physiotherapy, mental health support, and public health. Whether you want to work as a social worker, healthcare assistant, counsellor, or within community health services, AAQ Level 3 Health and Social Care provides a solid foundation for a fulfilling and impactful career, where you can make a real difference to people’s lives.

Labour Market Information

Subject Combination

The qualification works well with a wide range of subjects, since throughout this course students will learn a broad base of transferable skills. Those students who are interested in NHS pathways may wish to consider other science subjects. Students interested in primary education may wish to consider a National Curriculum subject covered at primary level.

Biology

Biology
Business

Business
Sociology

Sociology

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Previous school - Wellfield School

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Previous school - Hermitage Academy

When I was in Year 11, the biggest worry for me was the transitional period between Year 11 and Year 12. But the support and the teachers made this so much smoother for me moving from my secondary school to Durham Sixth Form Centre.

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Previous school - Whitworth Park Academy

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Previous school - Park View School

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Previous school - Belmont School

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Previous school - Hermitage Academy

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