Health and Social Care - Level 3 Diploma
Course Type
Further Education
Study Mode
Part-time
Duration
1 Year
Start & End Date
8 September 2026
1 June 2027
Days
Tue
Time
09:00-17:00
Location
Newtownabbey
This work-based course is suitable for those in employment as a care assistant, support worker, key worker or healthcare assistant in residential settings, community, and acute health environments, as well as domiciliary services, day services or supported living projects. Learners must be in a care role to study this course, this can be full, part-time or in a voluntary capacity. The course requires an occupationally competent assessor to visit you in the workplace to carry out an observation of your work practice. These will be planned to cause the minimum disruption to your work routine and to try to capture as much information as possible in each visit.
Modules you will study include:
If you have less than 250 employees you may be eligible for funding for this course. Contact our Business Engagement Team.
Students will be required to compile an electronic portfolio of evidence. The qualification guides and assesses development of knowledge, understanding and skills in practice within health and social care. This will be in the form of written statements and ‘Reflective Accounts’ along with supporting work products you have produced and the report from your assessor in the workplace.
On achievement of this qualification, there are clear progression routes, learners can progress to the level 4 Adult Care which will lead to jobs such as Senior Care Worker, Social work Support Worker. On successful completion of the level 4 Adult Care learners can then progress to managerial roles in the health and social care sector and study a level 5 professional qualification in Leadership and Management in Health and Social Care.
Learners may progress into employment as a senior care worker in residential, nursing or domiciliary settings. Learners may also gain employment as a health care assistant in the hospital settings.
This course is fully endorsed by the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC), the regulator for Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland.
It is highly recommended that learners have completed the Level 2 in Health and Social Care qualification or equivalent, plus have a minimum of one year experience in the care field.
An interview is required for entry to course.
| Year | Fee | Reduced Fee* |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | £581 | £443 |
| Total |
*For eligibility criteria, visit our fees and funding page.
You must arrange payment of your fees at the beginning of each academic year, regardless of whether your programme of study is one, two, or three years in duration. Please contact any Campus Reception to arrange payment of your course fees or to confirm you have uploaded evidence of your funding application or entitlement to the online admissions portal. Confirmation of your funding entitlement should also be forwarded to studentfinance@nrc.ac.uk.
If your fees are being paid by a sponsor/employer please contact the College to confirm that an approved Employer Consent Form has been completed and uploaded to the online admissions portal.
Direct Debit Payment
You can arrange for fees to paid by instalments if you are enrolling on a course(s) of 16 weeks duration or more and the total cost is greater than £200. Full details are available on our Fees and Funding page.
Funding
If you have applied for funding, you must provide evidence of your application, such as an acknowledgement email or confirmation from the Education Authority or Student Finance NI. This evidence should be uploaded to the online admissions portal and may also be submitted at any reception. Once your funding has been approved, upload confirmation to the online admissions portal and email a copy studentfinance@nrc.ac.uk. Find out more about available funding options.
If application for funding is unsuccessful the student is liable for payment of fees in full. All fees to be collected by 28 February 2027.
Contact Details
Direct Debit or Payment Queries
E: finance@nrc.ac.uk
All tutors are qualified and experienced counsellors. This underpins the authenticity of teaching and learning activities as students engage with practitioners who understand the challenges and opportunities of the counselling role. The following teaching team deliver this course at Northern Regional College:
Staff Team
Students will be required to compile an electronic portfolio of evidence. The qualification guides and assesses development of knowledge, understanding and skills in practice within health and social care. This will be in the form of written statements and ‘Reflective Accounts’ along with supporting work products you have produced and the report from your assessor in the workplace.
This work-based course is suitable for those in employment as a care assistant, support worker, key worker or healthcare assistant in residential settings, community, and acute health environments, as well as domiciliary services, day services or supported living projects. Learners must be in a care role to study this course, this can be full, part-time or in a voluntary capacity. The course requires an occupationally competent assessor to visit you in the workplace to carry out an observation of your work practice. These will be planned to cause the minimum disruption to your work routine and to try to capture as much information as possible in each visit.
Modules you will study include:
If you have less than 250 employees you may be eligible for funding for this course. Contact our Business Engagement Team.
On achievement of this qualification, there are clear progression routes, learners can progress to the level 4 Adult Care which will lead to jobs such as Senior Care Worker, Social work Support Worker. On successful completion of the level 4 Adult Care learners can then progress to managerial roles in the health and social care sector and study a level 5 professional qualification in Leadership and Management in Health and Social Care.
Learners may progress into employment as a senior care worker in residential, nursing or domiciliary settings. Learners may also gain employment as a health care assistant in the hospital settings.
This course is fully endorsed by the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC), the regulator for Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland.
It is highly recommended that learners have completed the Level 2 in Health and Social Care qualification or equivalent, plus have a minimum of one year experience in the care field.
An interview is required for entry to course.
Course Fees
| Year | Fee | Reduced Fee* |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | £581 | £443 |
| Total |
*For eligibility criteria, visit our fees and funding page.
You must arrange payment of your fees at the beginning of each academic year, regardless of whether your programme of study is one, two, or three years in duration. Please contact any Campus Reception to arrange payment of your course fees or to confirm you have uploaded evidence of your funding application or entitlement to the online admissions portal. Confirmation of your funding entitlement should also be forwarded to studentfinance@nrc.ac.uk.
If your fees are being paid by a sponsor/employer please contact the College to confirm that an approved Employer Consent Form has been completed and uploaded to the online admissions portal.
Direct Debit Payment
You can arrange for fees to paid by instalments if you are enrolling on a course(s) of 16 weeks duration or more and the total cost is greater than £200. Full details are available on our Fees and Funding page.
Funding
If you have applied for funding, you must provide evidence of your application, such as an acknowledgement email or confirmation from the Education Authority or Student Finance NI. This evidence should be uploaded to the online admissions portal and may also be submitted at any reception. Once your funding has been approved, upload confirmation to the online admissions portal and email a copy studentfinance@nrc.ac.uk. Find out more about available funding options.
If application for funding is unsuccessful the student is liable for payment of fees in full. All fees to be collected by 28 February 2027.
Contact Details
Direct Debit or Payment Queries
E: finance@nrc.ac.uk