Pearson BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma HND in Health and
Social Care -Management (QCF) with embedded level 4 HNC exit
award

Course Overview

The BTEC HNCs (Higher National Certificates) are at level 4 and a minimum of 120 credits in size. They have
been nested within the structures of the BTEC HNDs (Higher National Diplomas).
BTEC HNDs are level 5 qualifications. They are a minimum of 240 credits in size.
The qualifications remain as Intermediate level qualifications on the Framework for Higher Education
Qualifications (FHEQ).
Progression to BTEC Higher Nationals continues to be from level 3 qualifications. Progression from BTEC
Higher Nationals will normally be to qualifications at level 6. Learners’ progression routes do not necessarily
involve qualifications at every level.

Why Embedded Programme?

As a nested qualification the HNC is an embedded component of the HND. However, it can be taken as a
stand-alone qualification. If a learner enrols for an HNC they would be eligible to gain a grade for the HNC. If
they then move onto an HND, the learner is graded on their HND performance. The grade for the HND will
include units from the previously achieved HNC. Therefore, even if a learner is unable to complete HND he will
not go empty handed and will still receive his HNC.
If a learner opts to take an HND from the start, then on successful completion of the HND they will receive one
grade for the HND achievement only.
If a learner opts to take an HND from the start but later chooses to revert to an HNC programme, then on
successful completion of the HNC they will receive a grade for the HNC achievement only.

Key features of HNC/HND

BTEC Higher Nationals in Health & Social Care are designed to provide a specialist vocational programme,
linked to professional body requirements and National Occupational Standards where appropriate.
They offer a strong, sector-related emphasis on practical skills development alongside the development of
requisite knowledge and understanding.
The qualifications provide a thorough grounding in the key concepts and practical skills required in their sector
and their national recognition by employers allows direct progression to employment.
A key progression path for BTEC HNC and HND learners is to the second or third year of a degree or honours
degree programme, depending on the match of the BTEC Higher National units to the degree programme in
question.

Learning Aims

Pearson BTEC Higher Nationals in Health and Social Care have been developed to:

•  equip individuals with underpinning knowledge, understanding and skills for success in employment in
  the health and/or social care sector at a supervisory or management level
• provide specialist studies relevant to individual vocations and professions in which learners are
  working or in which they intend to seek employment in the health and/or social care sector
•  develop the ability of learners to contribute to the health and social care environment through
  effective use and combination of the knowledge and skills gained in different parts of the programme
  develop skills and techniques, and personal qualities and attitudes essential for successful
  performance in working life and thereby enable learners to make an immediate contribution to
  employment
• develop transferable skills and knowledge which will enable individuals to meet changing
  circumstances, whether moving within their own area of employment, moving up to a supervisory or
  management position or adapting to general changes in the provision or environment of health and
  social care

Progression from the BTEC Level 4 HNC

The Pearson BTEC Level 4 HNC Diploma in Health and Social Care provides a specialist work-related
programme of study that covers the key knowledge, understanding and practical skills required in the health
and social care sector and also offers particular specialist emphasis through the choice of specialist units.
BTEC Level 4 HNCs provide a nationally recognised qualification offering career progression and professional
development for those already in employment and opportunities to progress into higher education. The
qualifications are primarily undertaken by part-time learners studying over two years. In some sectors there
are opportunities for those wishing to complete an intensive programme of study in a shorter period of time.
This specification gives centres a framework to develop engaging programmes for higher education learners
who are clear about the area of employment that they wish to enter.
Learners studying the Pearson BTEC Level 4 HNC Diploma in Health and Social Care should be able to progress
to the Pearson BTEC Level 5 HND Diploma in Health and Social Care or to the first year of undergraduate study
in health and social care or directly into employment in an associated profession.

Progression from the BTEC Level 5 HND

The BTEC Level 5 HND Diploma provides greater breadth and specialisation than the BTEC Level 4 HNC. BTEC
HNDs are followed predominately by full-time learners. They allow progression into or within employment in
the health and social care sector, either directly on achievement of the award or following further study to
degree level.
The Pearson BTEC Level 5 HND Diploma in Health and Social Care provides opportunities for learners to apply
their knowledge and practical skills in the workplace. Full-time learners have the opportunity to do this
through formal work placements or part-time employment experience.
The qualification prepares learners for employment in the health and social care sector and will be suitable for
learners who have already decided that they wish to enter this area of work.
Some adult learners may wish to make the commitment required by this qualification in order to enter a
specialist area of employment in health and social care or progress into higher education. Other learners may
want to extend the specialism that they followed on the BTEC Level 4 HNC programme.
Learners studying the Pearson BTEC Level 5 HND Diploma in Health and Social Care should be able to progress
to the second or third year of an undergraduate degree or directly into employment in an associated
profession.

Entry Requirements/Prerequisites

The following is the entry requirements for admission in HNC and HND Health and Social Care Cranbrook
College:

• A Level pass
• a BTEC Level 3 qualification in Health and Social Care; or
• Other related level 3 qualifications; or
• an Access to Higher Education Certificate received from an approved further education institution
• a GCE Level profile that demonstrates strong performance in a relevant subject or an adequate
performance in more than one GCE subject. This profile is likely to be supported by GCSE grades at A 1
to C
• related work experience
• a current enhanced DBS Certificate – should not have a criminal background which might prevent working
with young people or vulnerable adults.
Mature learners may present a more varied profile of achievement that is likely to include extensive work
experience (paid and/or unpaid) and/or achievement of a range of professional qualifications in their work
sector.

English Proficiency

For students from non-English speaking countries as defined by the regulators IELTS 5.5 or an equivalent
Restrictions on Learner Entry
The Pearson BTEC Higher National qualifications are accredited on the Qualifications and Credit Framework
(QCF) for learners aged 18 years and over.

Restrictions on Learner Entry

The Pearson BTEC Higher National qualifications are accredited on the Qualifications and Credit Framework
(QCF) for learners aged 18 years and over.

Course Structure

Embedded within the Pearson BTEC Level 5 HND Diploma in Health and Social Care (QCF) qualification is the
BTEC Level 4 HNC Diploma in Health and Social Care qualification. Thus in order to achieve the HND
qualification, a learner must achieve the HNC as well as the HND units. Learners must achieve a minimum of
120 credits on their programme of learning to be awarded a BTEC Level 4 HNC and a minimum of 240 credits
to be awarded a BTEC Level 5 HND qualification.
The award is made up of 16 units. The core and specialist units that are combined in the BTEC Level 4 HNC and
5 HND Diploma is shown below:

Specialist units are designed to provide a specific occupational focus to the qualification and are aligned to
Professional Body standards.
The Level 4/5 HNC/HND Diploma in Health and Social Care has been designed to develop knowledge and
understanding of management and supervision required in various HND Health and Social care sectors and to
focus on:
 Providing opportunities to acquire transferable skills and knowledge which will facilitate the transition
through changing circumstances whether moving within a particular area of employment or moving
up to a supervisory or management position or adapting to general changes in the provision.
 Providing opportunities for a nationally recognised vocationally specific qualification to enter
employment as manager or supervisor.
 Providing opportunities for students to develop a range of skills and techniques, personal qualities and
attributes essential for successful performance in working life.

Course Duration

Total course duration is 2 Years (1st Year at Level 4 HNC & 2nd Year at Level 5 HND).
Thus students enrolled in HNC can finish the course in one year and get their HNC or move to HND and finish it
in the 2 nd year to get their HND. Therefore, overall duration will be 2 years to complete HNC and HND.

FAQ’s