Post 16 Curriculum
Health & Life Sciences
Health & Life Sciences at Post 16: Educating Tomorrow’s Health Professionals
From diagnosing disease and developing new treatments to improving patient care and advancing public health, the health and life sciences sector offers a wide range of rewarding and impactful career opportunities. At UTC Derby Pride Park, our Post 16 Health & Life Sciences pathway enables students to explore the science behind healthcare while developing the practical skills, knowledge and professional behaviours needed for success in the sector. Through employer-led projects, industry engagement and partnerships with the University of Derby and University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust, students gain valuable insight into healthcare, medical science and life sciences careers. With a strong blend of academic and technical learning, students are well prepared to progress to university, higher and degree apprenticeships, and careers across healthcare, biomedical sciences, nursing, midwifery, allied health professions and the wider life sciences sector.
Pathways in Health
Depending on individual students aspirations we offer three different pathways within our Health specialism, these pathways combine technical learning with academic qualifications to enable our students to go on to the destinations they desire.
Course Details
Exam Board: OCR | Entry Requirements: Minimum 5 Grade 4 or above GCSEs including English and Maths
This qualification provides students with a broad understanding of the health and social care sector, exploring how professionals support individuals across a range of settings and stages of life. Students develop knowledge of human development, health and wellbeing, anatomy and physiology, safeguarding, equality and diversity, and person-centred approaches to care, while building the communication, problem-solving and professional skills valued by the industry. Through a combination of theoretical study and applied learning, the qualification prepares students for progression to university, higher apprenticeships and careers across health, social care and related professions.
Key Topics
- Building Positive Relationships
- Equality, Diversity and Rights
- Health, Safety and Security
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Infection Control
- Safeguarding
- Person-Centred Approaches to Care
- Health and Wellbeing Across the Lifespan
Assessment
Assessment is through a combination of examinations and coursework, enabling students to demonstrate both their theoretical understanding and their ability to apply learning in realistic health and social care contexts.
Working with the Sector
At Post 16, students benefit from engagement with the health and life sciences sector, working alongside leading healthcare providers, universities and industry professionals through employer-led projects, workplace visits, mentoring opportunities and careers events. Through partnerships with University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust, the University of Derby and Sheffield Hallam University, students gain valuable insight into healthcare, medical and life sciences careers. Students also have opportunities to secure meaningful work experience placements, developing the knowledge, skills and professional networks needed for progression to university, apprenticeships and careers across healthcare, medicine, nursing, midwifery, allied health professions, biomedical sciences and the wider health and life sciences sector.
Destinations & Progression
Our Health & Life Sciences students leave UTC Derby Pride Park ready to take their next steps with confidence, progressing to leading universities, higher apprenticeships and careers across healthcare, medicine and the wider life sciences sector. Former students have gone on to study courses including Adult Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, Chemistry and Chemistry with Drug Discovery at institutions such as De Montfort University, Manchester Metropolitan University, the University of Liverpool and the University of Bath. These destinations reflect the breadth of opportunities available within healthcare, clinical practice, pharmaceutical sciences, biomedical research and related fields.
Whether you aspire to become a nurse, midwife, therapist, scientist, healthcare practitioner, researcher or healthcare leader, we’ll support you every step of the way, helping you develop the knowledge, skills and experiences needed to achieve your ambitions.