Health Mix

New for September 2026: York College Mix courses are Alternative Academic Qualifications (AAQs)

AAQs are a new type of Level 3 qualification created to help learners progress into higher education with confidence, clarity, and purpose.

AAQs offer a practical and future-focused learning experience across a wide range of career sectors. Students build the applied knowledge, skills, and personal qualities they need not only to succeed at university but also to thrive in today’s fast-changing world of work.

Why choose an AAQ?

A clear route to higher education - Designed with universities and educators, AAQs provide the right balance of academic depth and practical application. If your goal is university, this is the pathway for you.

Engaging, relevant, and future-ready - Learning is brought to life through real-world contexts and practical opportunities, ensuring students develop both specialist knowledge and transferable skills to navigate their future.

Fair and accessible assessment - With a holistic approach to assessment design, AAQs ensure that qualifications are both attainable and rigorous, building a solid foundation of knowledge and skills for progression.

Backed by universities - Over 100 universities have endorsed AAQs, recognising them as a strong route into higher education. AAQs attract the same amount of UCAS points as one A Level.

Learn more about our AAQ York College Mix courses.

A Level Mix options are equivalent to one A Level. You can take two A Level subjects and one ‘Mix’ subject.

The core entry requirement for A Level and ‘Mix’ study at York College is a minimum of four GCSEs at grade 5 with GCSE English Language and Maths at grade 4. This does not include GCSE equivalents (e.g. BTEC courses). Short course GCSE is counted as half of a full GCSE.

Throughout the course, you’ll gain a strong understanding of key topics such as human development, the structure and function of the human body, and how health and social care services support individuals across the lifespan. You’ll also explore how social factors, policies, and organisations influence health and wellbeing in today’s society.

A major focus of the course is building the skills that universities and employers value most. You will develop essential transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, research, critical thinking, and problem-solving. These are supported through a structured framework that helps you manage your learning, set goals, and build confidence in both academic and real-world situations.

You’ll study core units including:

Human Lifespan and Development
Human Biology and Health
Health and Social Care Practice
Health, Social Policy and Wellbeing

Alongside your subject knowledge, you’ll build professional behaviours such as empathy, resilience, and cultural awareness—key qualities for working with people in any setting.

This qualification works particularly well with subjects like Psychology, Biology, and English, helping you create a strong academic profile for university applications.

After completing the course, you could progress onto a range of higher education degrees, including Nursing, Social Work, or other health-related fields.

Overall, this course will help you become a confident, well-rounded learner, fully prepared for the demands of university and future careers.
 

This course is delivered through a mix of engaging and supportive teaching methods to help you succeed:

Classroom-based lessons with subject specialist tutors
Interactive activities including discussions, group work, and case studies
Assignment-based learning to develop research and academic skills
Exam preparation sessions to build confidence and understanding
Independent study to support your learning outside of lessons

You will learn in a supportive environment that encourages participation, critical thinking, and the development of professional skills needed for higher education and future careers.

Assessment on this course is through a combination of exams and coursework, allowing you to demonstrate both your knowledge and practical skills.

External exams – set and marked externally, testing your understanding of key topics such as human development and biology
Coursework (assignments) – internally assessed projects based on real-life scenarios and case studies
Research tasks and presentations – to develop academic and communication skills

This balanced approach means you are not relying on just one method of assessment and can showcase your strengths in different ways while preparing for university-style learning.

The AAQ in Health and Social Care (Extended Certificate) works best when combined with A Levels that support progression into university and health-related careers.

Recommended combinations:

Psychology – supports understanding of behaviour, mental health, and development
Biology – complements learning about the human body and health conditions
English (Language or Literature) – develops communication, analysis, and academic writing skills

Other strong options:

Sociology – explores social factors affecting health and wellbeing
Physical Education (PE) – links to health, fitness, and wellbeing

These combinations help you build a well-rounded skill set and strengthen applications for degrees such as Nursing, Social Work, and other health-related courses.

After completing the AAQ in Health and Social Care (Extended Certificate), you can progress onto a range of higher education courses or career pathways.

University progression:

Nursing (Adult, Child, Mental Health)
Social Work
Allied Health Professions (e.g. physiotherapy, occupational therapy)
Other degree courses, depending on your A Level combinations

Other progression options:

Higher or Degree Apprenticeships in health and care
Further specialist study at college

This course gives you a strong foundation of knowledge, transferable skills, and academic experience to support your next steps into university or the workplace.