Food Hygiene
Health & Safety
Safeguarding
First Aid
Business Skills
Personal Development
Structure and Overview of the Health and Social Care Sector
Understand how care is organised, how needs change across life stages, the sector’s specialisms and current issues.
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Health & Social Care
ATHE Level 3 Diploma in Health & Social Care
Build practical care knowledge, earn a nationally recognised qualification and prepare for your next role—100% online, with a tutor beside you.
2 big free gifts
Included when you enrol
Free gift 01
5,000+ accredited courses
Full skills-library access
Free gift 02
Exclusive AI study assistant
On-demand study support
- Level
- RQF Level 3
- Duration
- 8–12 months
- Study mode
- 100% online
- Assessment
- Written assignments
athe
Awards for Training
and Higher Education
and Higher Education
ofqual
REGULATED
register.ofqual.gov.uk
Course overview
A practical route into confident, person-centred care
Created for people starting or progressing in adult health and social care, this qualification turns essential theory into decisions you can use in real care settings.
You’ll explore communication, safeguarding, professional practice, equality and wellbeing while building evidence of the skills employers expect at Level 3.
Nationally recognised
An Ofqual-regulated ATHE qualification.
No exams
Progress through clearly structured written assignments.
No placement required
Complete every part of the qualification online.
Flexible access
Study at a pace that fits around work and family.
Your qualification
ATHE Level 3 Diploma in Health & Social Care
- Qualification level
- RQF Level 3
- Total qualification time
- 600 hours
- Credits
- 60
- Units
- 6 core units
Media & demos
See the learning experience before you enrol
Explore the qualification, hear from a learner, sample a lesson and preview the AI study assistant.
Featured video
Course overview
See who the qualification is for, what you’ll study and how Training Express supports you from enrolment to certification.
What you’ll learn
Skills that translate to real care settings
Explore how the sector works, the values and rules behind care, human development, person-centred practice, research and your own professional growth.
Principles, Values and Regulation in the Health and Social Care Sector
Explore the policies, legislation, guidance and values that shape safe, respectful care.
Human Growth and Development
Study development across the lifespan, significant life events and the physical and psychological changes of ageing.
Working in Health and Social Care
Develop understanding of person-centred working, communication, infection control and professional relationships.
Research in Health and Social Care
Compare research approaches, choose and justify a topic, and complete a health and social care research project.
Personal and Professional Development in the Health and Social Care Sector
Explore career routes, reflective practice and how to plan your continuing professional development.
Six units · 60 credits · Qualification number 603/6568/7. Check the qualification with ATHE ↗
Before you begin
Clear entry requirements and assessment
Know what you need before enrolling and exactly how your achievement will be assessed.
Open entry with sensible readiness checks
No previous health and social care experience is required to enrol with Training Express.
- Typically suitable for learners aged 16+
- No care placement required
- Able to read and write English at Level 3 study standard
- Access to a computer, internet and email
- Ready to complete independent research and written work
Written assignments—not timed examinations
Complete an assignment for each unit, submit it through the learning portal and use detailed tutor feedback to strengthen your work.
- 01 Study the unit
- 02 Prepare your assignment
- 03 Submit online
- 04 Receive tutor feedback
No timed exams
6 assessed units
Pass · Merit · Distinction
One free resubmission is included for every assessment if further work is required.
Your regulated qualification
What ATHE awarded and Ofqual regulated means
You study with Training Express, while the qualification itself is awarded by ATHE and sits within England’s regulated qualification system.
RQF Level 3
Equivalent qualification level to A Level or Access to HE
60 credits
Across six mandatory units
603/6568/7
Official qualification number
Training Express offers this qualification as a reseller in partnership with One Education, the main approved centre. Assignments are internally assessed and externally verified by ATHE, the awarding organisation.
athe
ATHE is the awarding organisation
ATHE sets the qualification specification, units, learning outcomes and assessment standards. Successful learners receive the official ATHE certificate.
View the ATHE qualificationofqual
Ofqual provides regulatory oversight
Ofqual regulates qualifications and awarding organisations in England, helping maintain standards and confidence and providing a public qualification record.
Check the Ofqual register
Your achievement
A recognised certificate you’ll be proud to share
When you complete the qualification, you’ll receive your official ATHE certificate—evidence of your knowledge, commitment and Level 3 achievement.
- Official ATHE qualification certificate
- Ofqual-regulated Level 3 achievement
- Suitable for CVs and professional profiles
Sample
This is to certify that
Learner Namehas successfully completed
ATHE Level 3 Diploma in
Health & Social Care
Certificate demo
AR
“You’ll always know what to work on next—and why it matters.”
Amelia Reed · Lead assessor
Support that keeps you moving
Independent study should never feel like studying alone
From your first login to your final assignment, a named tutor helps you understand the standard, improve your work and stay on track.
- Personal feedback on every assignment
- Questions answered by a real subject specialist
- One free resubmission for every assessment
- Simple progress tracking in your learning portal
Your 2 free enrolment gifts
One enrolment. A wider learning ecosystem.
Your qualification also unlocks intelligent study help and thousands of extra accredited courses to support your next step.
Free gift 02 · Exclusive to Training Express
Your personal AI study assistant
Get on-demand explanations, revision prompts and study-planning support whenever you need another way into a topic.
Training Express AI
Available 24/7
What would you like help understanding today?
Can you simplify the principles of safeguarding?
Absolutely. Let’s break them into six clear principles with care-setting examples.
Free gift 01 · Accredited course library
5,000+
skill development courses
Keep learning beyond your qualification with a broad library of bite-sized courses for work, confidence and career development.
Learning support included
Guidance across your course and skills library
How your study will work
A simple path from enrolment to certification
Structured learning, clear assignments and tutor feedback—followed by lifetime access for future refreshers.
600
Total qualification hours
Overall learning and assessment commitment
Study online at your pace
Lessons and learning activities around your schedule
Assignments and feedback
Research, written work and guidance from your tutor
- 01Enrol and get instant access
Choose your payment plan and enter the learning platform straight away.
- 02Study online at your pace
Work through clear lessons and practical activities around your schedule.
- 03Prepare and submit assignments
Use your study time to build evidence and submit written work online.
- 04Receive tutor feedback
A subject specialist marks your work and guides you through each unit.
- 05Earn your ATHE certificate
Complete the qualification and receive your recognised Level 3 achievement.
- 06Keep learning for life
Return to your course materials and access future updates whenever you want a refresher.
Who this course is for
Build skills for care roles—and the next step after them
This course suits people entering adult care, existing care workers formalising their knowledge, and learners preparing to progress into greater responsibility.
Potential pathway
Care worker
Support adults with daily living, independence and wellbeing in residential, community or home-care settings.
Indicative UK salary£20,000–£25,000
View career profile
Potential pathway
Senior care worker
Coordinate care, guide colleagues and take greater responsibility for safe, person-centred practice.
Indicative UK salary£24,000–£29,000
View career profile
Potential pathway
Healthcare assistant
Work alongside nurses and other professionals to support patients in health and care environments.
Indicative UK salary£25,000–£27,000
View career profile
Progression pathway
Care home manager
A longer-term progression route leading services, teams, quality and day-to-day care operations.
Indicative UK salary£25,000–£55,000
View career profile
Salary guides are from the UK National Careers Service. Actual pay varies by experience, employer and location. This qualification does not guarantee employment or entry to every role.
Study progression
Check ATHE details
University could be your next step
ATHE confirms this qualification is eligible for UCAS Tariff points. It may support an application to a relevant degree course, but each university sets its own entry requirements and admission is not guaranteed.
Learner stories
Progress looks different for everyone
4.78
Training Express overall · 43,000+ learner reviews
Explore independent learner feedback
Good to know
Questions before you enrol?
We’ve answered the things learners ask most. If you’d rather speak to someone, our course advisers are here to help.
Speak to a course adviserIs this a recognised qualification?
Yes. This is an Ofqual-regulated Level 3 qualification awarded by ATHE. The registration and certification fees are included in the course price.
Do I need to complete a placement?
No placement is required for this course. You can complete the learning and written assessments online from home.
How long will I have access?
You receive lifetime access to the course materials, with future course updates included free so you can revisit and refresh your knowledge whenever you need to.
What support will I receive?
A named tutor will guide you through the course, answer questions and provide written feedback on every assignment.
Can I pay monthly?
Yes. Choose six or twelve equal monthly payments. There is no credit check, no interest and no early-settlement fee.
Your next step
Build the qualification behind your care career
Choose a payment plan, get instant access and start learning at your own pace.