Programme Overview
A two-year, 240-credit extended pathway combining Level 4 and Level 5 health and social care management study.
Why Study This Programme?
This is a genuine two-year foundation for care-sector leadership — equality and professional-development grounding at Level 4, then safeguarding, wellbeing, team management and research methods at Level 5.
Who Is This Programme For?
- Learners without a separate Level 4 qualification who want a single continuous Level 4–5 pathway
- Students planning ahead for a two-year structured care-management programme
Is This Programme Right for You?
This programme may be suitable if you:
- Want to develop genuine, structured knowledge in health & social care
- Want a GTEC-approved, internationally structured qualification
- Want a credible academic pathway rather than a one-off certificate
- Are ready to meet this programme's specific entry requirements
- Want assignment-based, coursework-led learning
- Want to keep options open for further OTHM study or university progression
What Does Level 5 Mean?
Level 5 represents more advanced, specialist study. OTHM assesses its Level 5 qualifications as academically equivalent to a Foundation Degree, a Higher National Diploma (HND), or Year 2 of a three-year UK Bachelor's degree. Again, this is a framework-level academic equivalence, not an automatic award of a Bachelor's degree or guaranteed advanced-year university entry.
Qualification Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Qualification | OTHM Level 5 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care Management |
| Level | 5 |
| Qualification Type | Extended Diploma |
| Awarding Organisation | OTHM Qualifications |
| Ofqual Reference | 610/0333/5 |
| Regulation Start Date | 07/01/2022 |
| Operational Start Date | 10/01/2022 |
| Duration | 2 Years |
| Credits | 240 |
| TQT | 2,400 Hours |
| GLH | 1,200 Hours |
| Assessment | Coursework |
| Grading | Pass / Fail |
| Delivery Mode | [CIC TO CONFIRM] |
| Language | English |
| GTEC Status | GTEC Approved |
Entry Requirements
Standard Entry
Entry requirements for the Extended Diploma are typically broader than for the standalone Level 5 Diploma, since it begins at Level 4. Admission is subject to CIC's GTEC-approved programme entry requirements.
Mature Learner Entry
Applicants over the qualification's standard age threshold with relevant work or life experience may also be considered, subject to CIC's and OTHM's mature-entry provisions. This should be confirmed with CIC Admissions at the point of application.
Programme Structure — Units
| Unit | Credits |
|---|---|
| Promoting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Health and Social Care | 20 |
| Professional Development and Academic Writing Skills | 20 |
| Communication in the Caring Professions | 20 |
| Principles of Health and Safety for Health Professions | 20 |
| Assessment Processes in Health and Social Care Settings | 20 |
| Resource Management in Health and Social Care | 20 |
| Working in Partnership in Health and Social Care | 20 |
| Managing the Safeguarding and Protection of Vulnerable Individuals | 20 |
| Health Education and Promoting Wellbeing | 20 |
| Team Management in Health and Social Care | 20 |
| Professional Supervision Practice in Health and Social Care | 20 |
| Research Methods in Health and Social Care | 20 |
Programme Objectives
This programme is designed to build equality, diversity and inclusion practice and professional academic writing, alongside the broader subject knowledge summarised in the Programme Overview above. Detailed, unit-level learning objectives are set out in the official OTHM qualification specification.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion, learners are expected to be able to:
- Demonstrate equality, diversity and inclusion practice
- Demonstrate professional academic writing
- Demonstrate communication in care settings
- Demonstrate safeguarding and protection
- Demonstrate health education and wellbeing promotion
- Demonstrate team management and supervision
- Demonstrate research methods in health and social care
Skills You Will Develop
Assessment
Assessment is conducted through coursework and structured assignments in accordance with the applicable OTHM qualification specification. Learners are assessed on their achievement of each unit's specified learning outcomes and assessment criteria, with work internally assessed and quality assured by the centre, and externally verified by OTHM.
Why Assignment-Based Learning?
Coursework and structured assignments let you apply what you're learning directly, build genuine research and critical-thinking skills, and demonstrate your understanding through written, evidence-based work rather than a single exam. This is not "easier" — it still requires meeting the qualification's full learning outcomes and assessment criteria.
Career Opportunities
Potential career areas may include:
- Care service management
- Safeguarding coordination
- Health and social care administration
- Service quality roles
Career Sectors
Professional Development
Academic Progression
Progression from one level to the next is subject to meeting that level's own entry requirements — it is never automatic, and not every learner progresses through every level.
University Progression
Graduates may be able to progress to a Bachelor's degree top-up programme (undergraduate level), subject to the admission, recognition and credit-transfer requirements of the receiving university.
Examples of Potentially Relevant Undergraduate/Further-Study Areas
International Progression
International progression opportunities may be available, subject to the receiving institution's admission, recognition and credit-transfer requirements. Recognition is not guaranteed by every university worldwide.
Career Pathway
Why CIC?
- GTEC-approved academic programme portfolio
- Internationally structured OTHM UK qualifications
- Student-centred, assignment-based learning
- Guidance on realistic academic and career progression
- A college that treats this qualification as one step in a longer pathway, not a one-off certificate
Student Experience
[CIC TO CONFIRM — specific facilities, support services and student life information for this programme area.]
Illustrative Student Profile
The Prospective Student
Background:
Motivation:
Why this level:
Potential next step:
Academic Integrity
Learners are expected to submit original work, reference sources appropriately, and follow CIC's and OTHM's academic policies on research ethics and plagiarism. Academic misconduct, including undisclosed collaboration or unattributed sources, may affect a learner's results.
Responsible Use of AI (proposed website guidance)
Where AI tools are used in study, they should support — not replace — independent learning. Students remain fully responsible for submitted work, must verify any AI-assisted content, and must follow CIC's and OTHM's assessment rules. Undisclosed or prohibited use of AI-generated work may constitute academic misconduct.
How to Apply
- Choose your programme.
- Check entry requirements.
- Submit application.
- Provide supporting documents.
- Application review.
- Admission decision.
- Enrolment.
- Begin studies.
Documents Required
- Identification [CIC TO CONFIRM]
- Academic certificates [CIC TO CONFIRM]
- Academic transcripts [CIC TO CONFIRM]
- Passport photograph [CIC TO CONFIRM]
- CV, where required [CIC TO CONFIRM]
- Proof of English proficiency, where applicable [CIC TO CONFIRM]
Fees
Programme Fees: Contact CIC Admissions for current fees and payment information.
Next Intake
Next Intake: Contact CIC Admissions for the current intake schedule.