Cambridge Health & Social Care course - what is it like?

[hampshiremum321]

My daughter is considering doing this course, either counting as 1 A level or 2 A levels. Has anyone's DC done this course? Is it easy/difficult? Essay writing involved? Did they find it interesting/boring? I'm a bit worried as she doesn't know much about it and one of the colleges she is applying to has it as a minimum of 2 A level equivalent, which would take up the vast majority of her time. If it is the wrong choice then it counts as 2 subjects which would not be good! She is not sure what she wants to do someday, other than "something in the healthcare industry".

Thank you!

Both my DDs have done it - one did it as a single diploma and did 2 other subjects, but does now work in the H&SC field. My other one is currently doing it as an extended diploma equivalent to 3 A levels. Both girls much prefer doing it rather than doing A levels as they hated doing exams. There is essay writing, but there are 3 levels of assignments - Pass level, which is really just a description of something they've learned, then Merit is a bit more detailed and the Distinction level work you do have to be able to evaluate. Neither were as keen on the science element (one unit) but there were plenty of other units they did / do enjoy. Some units are mandatory and some are optional - so worth looking at which optional units the local college does.

I teach this subject. My students really enjoy it. There is a good mix of coursework and exam. I teach the extended certificate which is equivalent to one A level. For that there are 3 exams (Anatomy and Physiology, Health, Safety and Security and Equality, Diversity and Rights). There is one mandatory coursework element (Building Positive Relationships) and then 2 more coursework units that the centre will choose (one 'full size - approx 100 pages, and the other half size).
Hope that helps (and happy to answer more questions).

@hattie78 The version my DDs did / are doing doesn't have any exams - are there different exam boards for Cambridge Technicals? I know our college is doing OCR. Just thinking that if there are different exam boards, it would be worth OP finding out which one her local college do.

@chocolateisavegetable presumably your DC did the 2012 suite which was all coursework. Centres will now be running the 2016 suite which is a mix of coursework and exams.

Thank you @hattie78 and @chocolateisavegetable for your replies, the colleges she is looking at do OCR. Your replies have been helpful. I think my main worry was that she would find elements of it boring - she would like the science part and anything regarding anatomy and psychology as well, but maybe learning about different legislations not so much. I am hoping that this subject will keep her options open further down the line.