Health and Social Care

If the last few years have taught us anything, it’s just how important the health and social care sector is to the whole of the UK. And it’s a sector that’s growing rapidly – the UK will need tens of thousands more dedicated professionals in the future.

Do you want to look back on this year and know that you did more than just clap for carers? Enroling on a Health and Social Care course can take you one step closer to becoming a key worker yourself. There are few other careers where you can make such a huge difference to someone’s life.

By the time you complete your studies at The Manchester College - the No.1 Further Education College in Greater Manchester for achievement*, you’ll have gained the skills, knowledge and experience to apply for a job in the sector, or to progress to higher education. 

Whichever path you take, you’ll be choosing an incredibly rewarding career where you’ll make a difference to people in your community every single day. 

*As per the latest Government National Achievement Rates Tables (NARTs)

Can you reach your potential in Health and Social Care? You can with us!

Make it possible today, view our range of Health and Social Care courses and enrol to study at the No.1 Further Education College in Greater Manchester for achievement*. 

Aged 16-18? Apply now

Aged 19+? Apply now

Whatever your starting point, we can help you to gain the knowledge, skills, experience and confidence you need to progress to a range of career paths or onto further study. 

If you’re 16-18 and you've obtained the necssary entry requirements, you’ll have the opportunity to join our Industry Excellence Academy for Health and Social Care to study one of our brand new T Levels in Health and Healthcare Science. These two-year qualifications are worth the equivalent to three A Levels and will give you the opportunity to study programmes co-developed with industry partners as well as benefit from a 59 day industry placement. Plus, they are a great way to prepare you for studying for a degree at university.

If you’d like to progress onto one of our T Levels but don’t currently have the entry requirements then you’ll still be able to do this by first choosing to study our Level 2 T Level Transition programme.

Alternatively, you'll be able to join our Centre of Excellence for Health and Social Care and study Health and Social Care courses from Level 1 to Level 3 or Applied Psychology with Health and Social Care at Level 3.

Whichever route you take, you won’t just be learning your new trade in the classroom; you’ll also be applying your new skills through work experience opportunities and placements in real-life settings, such as hospitals, pharmacies and care homes.

Browse our courses

At The Manchester College, we believe the best tutors are usually those who have real world experience of working in the field they’re teaching. So in most cases, you’ll be taught by someone who has worked in the industry as a nurse, social worker or in another relevant profession.  

As well as being able to share their knowledge and experiences with you, they have crucial industry connections, which is a huge benefit when it comes to helping you to secure a work placement in your chosen field.

Get to know some of our department:

Claire Prescott - Head of Department

Claire joined the College in December 2021 and has more than 10 years’ experience teaching and managing Health and Social Care and Science departments in further education colleges and sixth forms. She possesses a degree in Chemistry from the University of Leeds, however, her special interest is in human biology and disease having spent nine years working in the pharmaceutical industry before entering teaching. She loves teaching both Science and Health and enjoys supporting students to achieve their very best grades, particularly those who sometimes struggle.

Mehjabeen Shaukat - Tutor

Mehjabeen has seven years’ experience within teaching Early Years and Health and Social Care. She has a BSc in Early Years and is currently studying a BSc in Biology as she is interested in gaining deeper insight into Human Biology. She is always willing to support students to successfully progress and achieve throughout their course, encouraging them to challenge themselves with the intention of achieving higher grades.

Our Health and Social Care courses for 16-18 are offered our Openshaw Campus, Harpurhey and Wythenshawe Campuses and for 19+ at our Harpurhey and Wythenshawe Campuses, with the exception of Counselling which is also offered at City Campus Manchester and Shena Simon Campus, and Access to HE at Shena Simon Campus - all of which are well served by public transport.

Our Industry Excellence Academy for Health and Social Care is based at our recently re-developed Openshaw campus, which has benefitted from brand new industry standard facilities including a health suite, state-of-the-art hospital ward, a care suite and much more.

Explore our amazing new facilities

The Manchester College is committed to ensuring all our students receive the support they may need to achieve and enjoy college. We do this in a number of different ways including:

  • Student Experience Support Team
  • Careers Employability & Welfare
  • Pastoral Support Officers
  • Supported Learning

We also offer a bespoke transition service to new applicants with an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP), accessibility or medical need.

Find out more about our student support offer:

Student support

Find out even more about our Health and Social Care department in our subject area guide or on our YouTube playlist:

Download our subject area guide

Watch our YouTube playlist

Go further with our Centre of Excellence for Adult Education and study a 19+ adult course starting in 2023/24! 

Browse our wide range of courses and apply today.

Browse 19+ adult courses

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UCEN Manchester School of Healthcare Logo

Take care of others with a career in a rewarding sector

Explore our degrees passion in Healthcare Practice, Social Care and many more.

Top Careers Opportunities

The campus is well located for me, which means I can travel to college with ease every day. My tutors have always given me great advice throughout my course. I have gained a lot of knowledge on potential career paths, which I would not have been able to do without their help.

Darcy Birch • Level 3 Health and Social Care
Josh Peak

The College has guided me towards the steps I need to take in order to reach my goals. My tutors have helped me to find a work placement within the industry, which has been really useful as I have been able to experience what the working world is like. I would love to work within mental health as this is such a big issue for young people and adults these days. I am going to go to university to study this further then progress into employment.

Josh Peak • Level 3 Health and Social Care

In one of The Manchester College’s 19 Centres of Excellence you’ll develop the skills and gain the qualifications that you need to take the next steps towards your dream career.

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In our unique Industry Excellence Academy you’ll benefit from a programme of study that has been co-developed, and is co-delivered, with one of our industry partners.

Learn more