Health and Social Care NCFE Cache Technical Extended Diploma Level 3
September 2025 start

Our full-time study programmes are designed to
maximise your career prospects and widen your options
for further or higher study.

Working in the health and social care sector requires
a very special kind of person. Dedicated, passionate
and always willing to go the extra mile, your caring
and compassionate nature can help to make a real
difference to the lives of others. If you are considering
a career working with children and young people or
adults, then this may be the course for you.

The Extended Diploma is designed to provide a holistic
programme of applied and general learning related to
the occupational areas of health care and social care.
Work experience is also an integral part of our study
programmes, enabling you to gain essential exposure to
the world of work.

Throughout the first year of this course you will study a
variety of units, such as:
• Equality, Diversity & Rights
• Effective Communication & Interpersonal Skills
• Lifespan Development
• Sociological & Psychological Perspectives of Health
and Social Care
• Anatomy & Physiology
• Professional Development in the Workplace

You will also get to spend two days a week in a practical
work placement. With many strong links with the local
community, our courses offer a wide range of work
placements that allow you to gain real experience of
working with people with all manner of complex needs.

In addition you may study Functional Skills or have the
opportunity to resit a GCSE in English and/or maths, if
appropriate.

If required for your chosen career or HE course, you may
wish to study English & maths to Level 3.

Elements of Study
Your programme consists of the following elements:
• Study of your chosen vocational subject (50% of your
programme)
• Employability skills (e.g. punctuality, attendance,
communication and team work)
• Work experience (giving you a taste of working life)
• Tutorial & personal development (e.g. healthy living,
volunteering and citizenship skills).

You’ll have continuous assessment through
assignments, projects and personal research, as well as
through practical placements.

Support

The College will support you throughout your time here; you will receive personal support from both your tutor and your Learning & Development Mentor. Support is also available from our dedicated Student Services team for personal, financial and careers guidance.

During their last inspection, Ofsted commended the College for its provision of “well targeted information, advice and careers guidance, which meets individual needs and enables learners to make informed choices about the next steps in their learning and career”.

Enrichment

We want to give you a positive experience at College and a rounded view of the industry you could one day be working in. So, during your time at College, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a range of activities, including:
• Meeting guest speakers from the sector
• Visiting local providers
• Taking part in enrichment activities – such as social and sporting events, and getting involved in fundraising activities

Further information

Our £75 million campus offers:
• A fitness suite and sports hall
• Apple Mac suites
• Libraries
• A theatre and dance studios
• A café selling Costa coffee
• Wella-approved hair salons
We also have a wide range of events throughout the year including showcases, enterprise activities and cultural celebrations.

Number 1 for Achievement Rates

We’re the number one General Further Education College in Greater Manchester for 16-18 achievement rates for higher level qualifications.

Ofsted Grade 2 ‘Good’

On our last inspection we were graded 2 for ‘Good’. Ofsted highlighted the fact that our learners develop good employability and personal skills and that a high proportion progress to Apprenticeships, employment or Higher Education.

In the first instance please send a message to healthscience@boltoncc.ac.uk

After you have completed the course you could
progress on to a higher education course at college or
university, or explore the possibility of doing a Higher
Apprenticeship (Level 4).
Check out opportunities at the University of Bolton by
visiting www.bolton.ac.uk
Following further study you could work as a:
• A fully-qualified Youth Worker where you could earn
between £14,000 and £20,000 a year, depending on
experience.
• A Physiotherapy Assistant, earning between £15,000
to £22,000 a year.
• An Occupational Therapy Assistant, earning between
£15,000 and £23,000 a year.

Sitting a job interview, writing a personal statement, applying for university - taking part in our enrichment programme will give you a CV to wow in all of these situations! You’ll benefit from departmental and cross-college enrichment with:

• Inspiring trips and experiences
• Meetings with industry experts
• Visits to leading companies in your sector

As well as giving you essential professional and technical skills, you’ll demonstrate that you’re a successful and well-rounded person, helping you to make a lasting impression.

We want you to have fun, so we also have plenty of leisure and sporting activities for you to enjoy, improving your health and wellbeing

You'll have your own Learning Development Mentor (LDM) and Work Placement Officer, helping you create both academic and career plans.

Thanks to our partnership with the University of Bolton, you'll also benefit from everything the University has to offer, with a range of opportunities to build additional skills and experiences, giving you everything you need to become a FUTURE SUCCESS in whichever field you choose!

Exposure to employers is also an integral part of this programme – we'll seek to ensure that you have opportunities to gain real-word experience of your sector, either on short work experience or an extended Industry placement.

We’re an elite College, and part of the University of Bolton Group, offering you a gateway to all of Greater Manchester’s vast range of fantastic opportunities for specialist careers, university degree courses and higher Apprenticeships.

We’ll reward your achievements with trips to The Anderton Outdoor Activity Centre and the opportunity to apply for the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Our £75 million campus offers a refurbished fitness suite and sports hall; Apple Mac suites; libraries, a lecture theatre; hair and beauty salon; and a restaurant, café and canteen.

You’ll also enjoy a wide range of events, including showcases, enterprise activities and cultural celebrations.

You may qualify for a college bursary or financial support from Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust (LTCT), access more information here: LTCT Financial Support

Click the yellow ‘Apply’ button on this page.

You’ll be asked to set up a Learner Hub account so that you can track your application and enrol online. You’ll also be asked to book your interview for your course at the same time.

If you have any difficulties setting up your Learner Hub account, please email learner.hub@boltoncc.ac.uk

Open Events are the best way to discover what life as a Bolton College student is like, giving you an insight into College life.

Open Events at our Deane Road Campus are as follows:

• Tuesday 17th October 2023, 5pm-8pm
• Wednesday 15th November 2023, 5pm-8pm
• Thursday 14th December 2023, 5pm-8pm
• Tuesday 6th February 2024, 5pm-8pm

If you’d like to attend one of these events, register by visiting here

Although every care has been taken to ensure that the information contained within this document is accurate, there may be changes to this programme and provision. We will endeavour to keep prospective and current students updated where appropriate and when the information becomes available.