Health and Social Care AS/A Level

Health and Social Care is an enormous field, covering a wide range of professions and roles; but through them all run common ethical issues, the need to work in the best interests of clients/patients, to work effectively, an awareness of new developments and the whole area of personal responsibility. A Level Health and Social Care examines the factors that contribute to good and bad health, disease, the provision of health and care services, the role of the practitioner and good care practice. A distinctive feature of the course is the requirement for students to undertake their own research in hospitals, GP practices, nurseries, care homes and day services. Health and Social Care is taught by lecturers with a working background in the field.

The course is modular, students take a compulsory three units for AS and a further three at A2. The course is assessed by a combination of two thirds external examination and one third coursework.

AS Level
Unit 1 Promoting Quality Care
Unit 2 Communication in Care Settings
Unit 3 Promoting Good Health

A2 Level
Unit 10 Care Practice and Provision
Unit 12 Anatomy and Physiology in Practice
Unit 13 Child Development

This course is a good choice for those wishing to pursue professional training in health or care, such as physiotherapy, nursing, occupational therapy and social work; and for those with a more general interest, looking to do teacher training or study criminology, psychology and social sciences in higher education.

We strongly advise potential students looking to work in health/care professions to check entry criteria for universities at this stage to ensure they choose the right combination of A Levels for their chosen route.

(If you are interested in a career in Health and Social Care, also look carefully at the Health and Social Care (Health Pathway) National Diploma, which offers a more practical, work based route at the same level as AS/A2).