Health & Social Care

a group of student nurses stand around a hospital bed with a dummy patient in

Ready to apply?

2 health care students adjust a hospital bed while another student lies on top of it. A tutor observes

Why Study Here

At Macclesfield College, our Health and Social Care courses offer unique training in our simulated hospital ward. This incredible facility provides a realistic environment where you can develop essential skills in patient care and clinical practice.

With expert tutors and strong connections to local employers, our courses are designed to meet the specific needs of the Health and Social Care sector. You’ll complete the course with the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to thrive in a fulfilling career, prepared for the demands of the industry.

courses available in Health & Social Care

Level 1: Diploma in Introduction to Health, Social Care and Children’s and Young People’s Settings

Overview

apply now

What will I study?

During this course you will explore a full range of units including, but not limited to:

Range of H&S C provision
Principles and values in HSC
Protection and safeguarding
Introduction to mental health
Health and safety in HSC
Job opportunities in HSC
Physical care of babies and young children

Alongside your main programme of study you will also study either GCSE or Functional Skills in English and maths if you have not achieved a GCSE grade 4 or above.

What career or further study opportunities will be available after completion?

Upon successful completion of this course you can progress onto Level 2 Health and Social Care to enhance your knowledge.

What are the entry requirements for this course & what qualifications will I gain upon completion?

For this course you will need to have achieved 2 GCSE’s at grades 1 or above At the end of this course Level 1 Diploma in Introduction to Health, Social Care and Children’s and Young People’s Settings

How long does it take to finish the course?

This is a full time programme for one academic year

Level 1: Diploma in Introduction to Health, Social Care and Children’s and Young People’s Settings

2025/2026

apply now

Level 2: Health and Social Care

Overview

apply now

What will I study?

During this course you will explore a full range of units including, but not limited to:

Equality, diversity and rights in health and social care
Human growth and development
Safeguarding and protection in health and social care
Communication in health and social care
Working in health and social care Optional units may include:
Anatomy and Physiology for Health and Social Care
Infection Prevention and Control in Health and Social Care
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Learning Disability
Common Care Disorders
Creative Activities in Health and Social Care
Dementia Awareness
End of life care
Health and Wellbeing
Nutritional for Health and Social Care

As well as classroom delivery, you will also undertake placement in a real work environment with a requirement of 35 hours. Alongside your main programme of study you will also study either GCSE or Functional Skills in English and maths if you have not achieved a GCSE grade 4 or above.

What career or further study opportunities will be available after completion?

Upon successful completion of this course you can progress onto Level 3 Health and Social Care to enhance your knowledge. Alternatively, you may wish to gain full-time employment or an apprenticeship within the sector.

What are the entry requirements for this course & what qualifications will I gain upon completion?

For this course you will need to have achieved one of the following: 4 GCSEs at grade 3 or above including English or maths, or prior achievement at level 1. You are also required to have a Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS) to allow you to access the work placement

How long does it take to finish the course?

This is a full time programme for one academic year

Level 2: Health and Social Care

2025/2026

apply now

Level 3: Foundation Diploma in Health and Social Care

Overview

apply now

What will I study?

During this course you will explore a full range of units including, but not limited to:

Human Lifespan Development/Exam
Working in Health and Social Care
Meeting Individual Needs/Exam
Principles of safe practice
Sociological Perspectives for Health and Social Care
Psychological Perspectives for Health and Social Care
Anatomy and Physiology
Enquiries in to current research
Work Experience in Health and Social Care
Infection Prevention
Promoting Public Health

As well as classroom delivery, you will also undertake placement in a real work environment with a minimum requirement of 200 hours over the 2 years

What career or further study opportunities will be available after completion?

Upon successful completion of this course, you can progress onto a range of Higher Education programmes, apprenticeships, employment or voluntary work. This may include: University undergraduate degree, such as: BSc (Hons) Nursing (Adult) BA (Hons) Health and Social Care BA Childhood and Youth Studies and Criminal Justice Degree Apprenticeship, such as: Nursing Social Worker Police Constable Apprenticeship, such as: Ambulance Practitioner Dental Nursing Healthcare Science Assistant

What are the entry requirements for this course & what qualifications will I gain upon completion?

A minimum of 5 GCSEs at grade 4 or above, which must include a grade 4 in English Language and maths. You are also required to have a Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS) to allow you to access the work placement. On successful completion of the course, you will gain the BTEC Foundation Diploma Level 3 in Health and Social Care. In the first year and then further study in the second year to gain the Extended Diploma. This qualification is equivalent to three A Levels and can attract a maximum of 144 UCAS points. You can exit this course after one year and achieve a Foundation Diploma or continue to second year to gain the Extended Diploma.

How long does it take to finish the course?

This 2-year course is run over 5 days per week, which includes 4 days studying in college and 1 day working within a relevant setting to gain hands- on experience

Level 3: Foundation Diploma in Health and Social Care

2025/2026

apply now

T Level: Health

Overview

apply now

What will I study?

1. Core Component (mandatory): Covers key knowledge and principles in health, including:

Health and social care settings
Safety, safeguarding, and regulations
Managing data and clinical practice
Core science concepts (anatomy, microbiology, immunology)
Person-centred care and wellbeing

2. Occupational Specialism: Develops skills for employment or further study in one of the following:

Supporting the Midwifery team
Supporting the Adult Nursing team

What career or further study opportunities will be available after completion?

On successful completion of this course, students can progress into various rewarding roles within the health and social care sector, including:

Healthcare Assistant in hospitals, GP practices or community settings
Maternity Support Worker within midwifery teams
Care Worker in residential homes or domiciliary care
Mental Health or Social Support roles in community and voluntary sectors
Support roles in rehabilitation, palliative care or public health services

Students can also progress onto:

Higher Education qualifications such as HNC/HND in Health and Social Care
Higher or degree level apprenticeships in Nursing, Midwifery or Social Work
Careers in hospitals, primary care trusts, social care settings and community health services

What are the entry requirements for this course & what qualifications will I gain upon completion?

You will need 5 GCSE’s (grade 4 and above) including English, maths and science. On successful completion of this programme, you will gain a T Level in Health (Equivalent to 3 A Levels)

How long does it take to finish the course?

This is a full-time programme for 2 academic years.

T Level: Health

2025/2026

apply now

Level 1: Diploma in Introduction to Health, Social Care and Children’s and Young People’s Settings
Level 2: Health and Social Care
Level 3: Foundation Diploma in Health and Social Care
T Level: Health

Level 1: Diploma in Introduction to Health, Social Care and Children’s and Young People’s Settings

Overview

apply now

What will I study?

During this course you will explore a full range of units including, but not limited to:

Range of H&S C provision
Principles and values in HSC
Protection and safeguarding
Introduction to mental health
Health and safety in HSC
Job opportunities in HSC
Physical care of babies and young children

Alongside your main programme of study you will also study either GCSE or Functional Skills in English and maths if you have not achieved a GCSE grade 4 or above.

What career or further study opportunities will be available after completion?

Upon successful completion of this course you can progress onto Level 2 Health and Social Care to enhance your knowledge.

What are the entry requirements for this course & what qualifications will I gain upon completion?

How long does it take to finish the course?

This is a full time programme for one academic year

Level 1: Diploma in Introduction to Health, Social Care and Children’s and Young People’s Settings

2025/2026

apply now

Level 2: Health and Social Care

Overview

apply now

What will I study?

During this course you will explore a full range of units including, but not limited to:

Equality, diversity and rights in health and social care
Human growth and development
Safeguarding and protection in health and social care
Communication in health and social care
Working in health and social care Optional units may include:
Anatomy and Physiology for Health and Social Care
Infection Prevention and Control in Health and Social Care
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Learning Disability
Common Care Disorders
Creative Activities in Health and Social Care
Dementia Awareness
End of life care
Health and Wellbeing
Nutritional for Health and Social Care

What career or further study opportunities will be available after completion?

What are the entry requirements for this course & what qualifications will I gain upon completion?

How long does it take to finish the course?

This is a full time programme for one academic year

Level 2: Health and Social Care

2025/2026

apply now

Level 3: Foundation Diploma in Health and Social Care

Overview

apply now

What will I study?

During this course you will explore a full range of units including, but not limited to:

Human Lifespan Development/Exam
Working in Health and Social Care
Meeting Individual Needs/Exam
Principles of safe practice
Sociological Perspectives for Health and Social Care
Psychological Perspectives for Health and Social Care
Anatomy and Physiology
Enquiries in to current research
Work Experience in Health and Social Care
Infection Prevention
Promoting Public Health

As well as classroom delivery, you will also undertake placement in a real work environment with a minimum requirement of 200 hours over the 2 years

What career or further study opportunities will be available after completion?

What are the entry requirements for this course & what qualifications will I gain upon completion?

How long does it take to finish the course?

This 2-year course is run over 5 days per week, which includes 4 days studying in college and 1 day working within a relevant setting to gain hands- on experience

Level 3: Foundation Diploma in Health and Social Care

2025/2026

apply now

T Level: Health

Overview

apply now

What will I study?

1. Core Component (mandatory): Covers key knowledge and principles in health, including:

Health and social care settings
Safety, safeguarding, and regulations
Managing data and clinical practice
Core science concepts (anatomy, microbiology, immunology)
Person-centred care and wellbeing

2. Occupational Specialism: Develops skills for employment or further study in one of the following:

Supporting the Midwifery team
Supporting the Adult Nursing team

What career or further study opportunities will be available after completion?

On successful completion of this course, students can progress into various rewarding roles within the health and social care sector, including:

Healthcare Assistant in hospitals, GP practices or community settings
Maternity Support Worker within midwifery teams
Care Worker in residential homes or domiciliary care
Mental Health or Social Support roles in community and voluntary sectors
Support roles in rehabilitation, palliative care or public health services

Students can also progress onto:

Higher Education qualifications such as HNC/HND in Health and Social Care
Higher or degree level apprenticeships in Nursing, Midwifery or Social Work
Careers in hospitals, primary care trusts, social care settings and community health services

What are the entry requirements for this course & what qualifications will I gain upon completion?

You will need 5 GCSE’s (grade 4 and above) including English, maths and science. On successful completion of this programme, you will gain a T Level in Health (Equivalent to 3 A Levels)

How long does it take to finish the course?

This is a full-time programme for 2 academic years.

T Level: Health

2025/2026

apply now

aspirational

Careers

Paramedic

Social Worker

Occupational Therapist

Counsellor

Paediatrician

Healthcare Administrator

Nurse Practitioner

Dietitian/Nutritionist

a group pose in PPE outside a construction site

Trips/employers

Throughout your Health and Social Care course, you'll engage with industry professionals through regular guest talks, offering valuable insights to enhance your learning experience. You'll also have opportunities to visit leading organisations like the NHS and local health clinics, allowing you to see how your skills are applied in real-world settings.

Additionally, working in our simulated care environment provides hands-on experience, while industry guest speakers and external training sessions further enrich your education. T-Level learners will complete significant work placements as part of their course. These experiences will deepen your understanding and prepare you for a successful career in the Health and Social Care sector.

Leah Wood

STUDENT

SPOTLIGHT

Leah Wood was recognised as the Health and Social Care Student of the Year 2024 for her outstanding achievements and exemplary qualities. Known for her empathy, kindness and trustworthiness, Leah has made a significant impact on her teachers, peers and placement service users.

Her dedication and compassion were evident throughout her studies and she has proudly achieved the first Nursing degree apprenticeship at Macclesfield Hospital. Leah also excelled as an ambassador going above and beyond to support college open events.

Leah’s hard work and commitment have been truly inspiring and we are thrilled to celebrate her success and look forward to her continued achievements in the field of Health and Social Care.