Skip to content
Enquire

L3Pearson BTEC International Level 3

Health and Social Care

A Health and Social Care student wearing the Prime Institute logo, at work
Health and Social CareLevel 3

You'll study human development, health promotion, safeguarding and care planning. A Pearson BTEC International Level 3 Extended Diploma: 1,080 guided learning hours, equivalent in size to three International A Levels.

Enquire about this course See the units

Full title: Pearson BTEC International Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care

Level
Level 3Extended Diploma
Size
1,080guided learning hours
Units
8 mandatoryplus 16 optional listed
For
Ages 16 to 18typically
Study
Lisbon or onlineon site or from home

01What you'll study

Four areas of study.

  1. Human Development

    Understand physical, intellectual, emotional, and social development across the lifespan from infancy to older adulthood.

  2. Health Promotion

    Develop strategies to promote health and wellbeing, prevent illness, and support healthy lifestyles in communities.

  3. Safeguarding

    Learn to identify, respond to, and prevent abuse and harm, ensuring the safety and protection of vulnerable individuals.

  4. Care Planning

    Create and implement person-centered care plans, assess needs, and coordinate support services effectively.

Two students in Prime Institute polo shirts practise first aid with their teacher, who wears a bordeaux polo
On the courseLevel 3

Where you learn

In Lisbon, or wherever you are.

The same Pearson qualification, whichever way you study.

02The units

What's on the course.

Mandatory units, plus optional units. Your final set of optional units is confirmed with your academic team.

Mandatory
8
Optional listed
16
PSA units
3
  1. Unit 1 Human Lifespan DevelopmentPSA Mandatory
  2. Unit 2 Anatomy and Physiology for Health and Social CarePSA Mandatory
  3. Unit 3 Enquiries into Current Research in Health and Social CarePSA Mandatory
  4. Unit 4 Principles of Effective Care Mandatory
  5. Unit 5 Principles of Safe Practice in Health and Social Care Mandatory
  6. Unit 6 Promoting Public Health Mandatory
  7. Unit 7 Infection Prevention and Control Mandatory
  8. Unit 12 Physiological Disorders and their Care Mandatory
Show the 16 optional units
  1. Unit 8 Sociological Perspectives Optional
  2. Unit 9 Psychological Perspectives Optional
  3. Unit 10 Supporting Individuals with Additional Needs Optional
  4. Unit 11 Scientific Techniques for Health Science Optional
  5. Unit 13 Microbiology for Health Science Optional
  6. Unit 14 Policy in Health and Social Care Optional
  7. Unit 15 Caring for Individuals with Dementia Optional
  8. Unit 16 Assessing Children's Development Support Needs Optional
  9. Unit 17 Nutritional Health Optional
  10. Unit 18 Understanding Mental Wellbeing Optional
  11. Unit 19 Medical Physics Applications in the Health Sector Optional
  12. Unit 20 Genetics Optional
  13. Unit 21 Biomedical Science Optional
  14. Unit 22 Biochemistry for Health Optional
  15. Unit 23 Complementary Therapies for Health and Social Care Optional
  16. Unit 24 Health Psychology Optional

PSA Pearson Set Assignment: a unit assessed through an assignment that Pearson sets.

03How you're assessed

Assessed through assignments.

Assignment-based (coursework), with some Pearson Set Assignment units.

Assessment at a glance

  • Coursework-based assessment: care plans, reflective portfolios, presentations, and case study analysis.
  • PSA units use Pearson briefs with external standards verification.

Skills you build

  • Person-centered care planning, assessment techniques, and support service coordination
  • Safeguarding procedures, risk assessment, and protection of vulnerable individuals
  • Health promotion strategies, wellbeing support, and communication with service users and families
  • Professional boundaries, ethics, legislation, and multi-agency working

04Where it leads

Every level opens the next.

An HNC (Level 4) is the next level after Level 3.

  1. L3 Health and Social Care This course
  2. HNC Health and Social Care Practice HNC (Level 4)
  3. HND Health and Social Care Practice HND (Level 5)
  4. Degree top-up On application
  1. L3 Health and Social Care This course
  2. HNC Counselling and Applied Psychology HNC (Level 4)
  3. HND Counselling and Applied Psychology HND (Level 5)
  4. Degree top-up On application
Next level HNC Health and Social Care Practice

05Good to know

Questions, answered.

Something else on your mind? Ask us directly.

What is a BTEC?

A career-focused qualification from Pearson. BTECs are assignment-based: you are assessed through coursework, with some Pearson Set Assignment units.

Is Level 3 the right level for me?

It depends on your age and what you have studied so far. Level 2 typically suits ages 14 to 16 and Level 3 ages 16 to 18. Tell us about yourself and we'll suggest a starting level.

How big is the qualification?

1,080 guided learning hours, which Pearson describes as equivalent in size to three International A Levels.

What does it cost?

Fees are set by level, with and without boarding. The Level 3 figures are on the fees page. See the fees.

How do I apply?

Send us an enquiry with the subject and level you are interested in. We'll get back to you to talk through your options and the next steps.

Also at this level

Other Level 3 subjects.

See the fees

06Start here

Where will you start?

Tell us about yourself, what you'd like to study and whether you'd rather join us in Lisbon or online. We'll suggest a starting level and talk you through your options.

Enquire now See fees