Programme Overview
This foundation diploma builds the underpinning knowledge for care work — worker responsibilities, professional communication, safety, person-centred approaches and information handling — designed for learners entering the care sector or progressing toward further study.
Why Study This Programme?
If you're drawn to care work or a health-related degree, this programme gives you the grounding OTHM designed it for: preparation for roles like support worker or care assistant, and a foundation for further academic study in the field.
Who Is This Programme For?
- Students interested in health, social care or community-facing careers
- Students considering a health-related or social-science Bachelor's degree
- Anyone wanting practical grounding before entering care work
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 3 Mean?
Level 3 sits at foundation level, broadly comparable to GCE AS/A Levels — a step above secondary school, preparing learners either for direct entry into a Level 4 programme or, for some learners, as an alternative route toward university. This is academic equivalence within the OTHM/UK framework, not an automatic award of a university degree or a WASSCE-equivalent certificate.
Qualification Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Qualification | OTHM Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Health and Social Care |
| Level | 3 |
| Qualification Type | Foundation Diploma |
| Awarding Organisation | OTHM Qualifications |
| Ofqual Reference | 603/6776/3 |
| Regulation Start Date | 21/10/2020 |
| Operational Start Date | 23/10/2020 |
| Duration | 1 Year |
| Credits | 60 |
| TQT | 600 Hours |
| GLH | 300 Hours |
| Assessment | Coursework |
| Grading | Pass / Fail |
| Delivery Mode | [CIC TO CONFIRM] |
| Language | English |
| GTEC Status | GTEC Approved |
Entry Requirements
Standard Entry
Applicants typically hold a BECE certificate or equivalent qualification, or relevant prior learning recognised for entry to Level 3 study. 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.
Your WASSCE Results Do Not Have to Define Your Future
CIC provides structured qualification pathways for students who may need an alternative route into higher education. Depending on your academic background and this programme's entry requirements, CIC may provide a structured pathway into further study. This is not a promise of admission to any specific programme or university — entry remains subject to meeting the requirements above.
Programme Structure — Units
| Unit | Credits |
|---|---|
| Responsibilities of a Health and Social Care Worker | 10 |
| Personal and Professional Development in Health and Social Care | 10 |
| Effective Communication and Ethical Practice in Health and Social Care | 10 |
| Health, Safety and Wellbeing in Health and Social Care Settings | 10 |
| Person-Centred Approaches in Health and Social Care Settings | 10 |
| Effective Handling of Information in Health and Social Care Settings | 10 |
Programme Objectives
This programme is designed to build understanding of care-worker responsibilities and professional and ethical communication, 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 understanding of care-worker responsibilities
- Demonstrate professional and ethical communication
- Demonstrate health, safety and wellbeing awareness
- Demonstrate person-centred practice
- Demonstrate careful handling of sensitive information
- Demonstrate personal and professional development
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:
- Support worker
- Senior support worker
- Care assistant
- Foundation for further study in health, social work or social sciences
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 Health and Social Care Administrator
Background: A school leaver or care worker drawn to the health and social care sector.
Motivation: Wants formal grounding before entering care work or further study.
Why this level: Needs practical, ethically-grounded care knowledge as a genuine starting point.
Potential next step: Entry-level care roles, or progression toward Level 4/5 Health and Social Care Management.
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.