A vocational route based mainly on regularly assessed coursework, this pathway prepares students for university courses (and apprenticeships) in all types of nursing, midwifery and paramedic study amongst others. Students will study the Btec Extended Diploma in Health Studies, which includes four exam units and nine coursework units:

Mandatory Units

• Unit 1 Human Lifespan Development (exam)
• Unit 2 Working in Health and Social Care (exam)
• Unit 3 Anatomy and physiology for Health and social Care (exam)
• Unit 4 Enquiries into Current Research in Health and Social Care (exam/controlled assessment)
• Unit 5 Meeting Individual Care And Support Needs
• Unit 6 Work Experience in Health and Social Care
• Unit 7 Principles of Safe Practice in Health and Social Care
• Unit 8 Promoting Public Health

Optional units in the health studies pathway include:

• Unit 9 Infection Prevention and Control
• Unit 14 Physiological disorders and their care
• Unit 15  Microbiology for Health Science 
• Unit 17 Caring for Individuals with Dementia
• Unit 26 Health Psychology 

If you have not gained GCSE English, Maths or Biology at new grade 4 or above you will study these subjects alongside your course.