BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Applied Human Biology

Applied Human Biology is an ideal course for anyone wanting to work in the health, social care or medical sectors. You will learn the fundamentals of the human body; looking at each organ system in turn. You will learn how to take vital signs, treat infectious diseases and study practical microbiology.

In the second year, you will look in depth at issues in the health, including the WHO and NHS. In the lab based lessons, you will learn in detail how haematology, histology and urinalysis are used to diagnose disease and will carry out these tests yourself.

As a vocational course, assessment is an even split between coursework and external exam

In year 12 you will study units 1 and 2:

Unit 1 - Fundamentals of Human Biology, including cell biology and an in depth look at human organ systems. You will also learn how to take and interpret vital signs.

Unit 2 - Practical microbiology, including classifying microbes and conducting antibiotic resistance experiments.

In year 13 you will study units 3 and 7

Unit 3 - Issues in health, including an in depth look at the NHS, WHO and NICE and how to read and interpret journals.

Unit 7 - Biomedical Science, a practical unit where you will carry out haematology, histology and uranalysis investigations.

Unit 1 is assessed through a 90 minute exam taken at the end of Year 12, with a resit opportunity in January of year 13.

Unit 2 and 7 are assessed through a portfolio of coursework and practical write-ups.

Unit 3 is assessed through a 3 hour exam taken in the January of year 13, with a resit opportunity in the summer.

5 GCSE grades at least a grade 4, including Maths and either

4-4 in Combined Science or

4 in GCSE Biology

This course works in synergy with a number of BTEC's offered at ASA.

Combined with Health and Social Care, this course could lead to further training or employment in the healthcare sector.

Combined with BTEC Sport, this course could lead to a Sports Science or Physiotherapy career.

A distinction in this course can be combined with a distinction in the above, or and two A-Levels to access paramedic science, nursing of midwifery.

Some universities will accept a distinction* in this course, with A-Level Chemistry for access to medicine or veterinary science courses.

This course is also worth UCAS points that count toward any number of higher education courses