Choose your route
Where are you starting from?
Choose a stage that matches your experience. Higher levels and degrees have separate entry requirements.
Start
Level 2–3
Entry routes if you are new to formal qualifications in this area.
11 courses BuildLevel 4–5
Job-ready diplomas; credit transfer depends on the receiving institution.
29 courses AdvanceLevel 6–8
Senior professional and postgraduate diplomas.
14 courses DegreesTop-ups & degrees
University programmes named on each course page.
12 courses
Start · Level 2–3
Frontline care
Adult care and introductory health & social care routes. 11 courses
Level 2–3
Level 2 + Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care
Diploma progression · 106 credits · OTHM Qualifications · A-level equivalent £1,50015 months · or £2,200 in 10 months Level 2–3Level 2 + Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care - 10 months
Diploma progression · 106 credits · A-level equivalent £2,20010 months Level 2Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate
Undergraduate Diploma · 36 credits · Qualifi £9509 months · or £1,250 in 6 months Level 2Level 2 Diploma in Care
Undergraduate Diploma · 44 credits · NQual £9509 months · or £1,250 in 6 months Level 2Level 2 Diploma in Health and Social Care
Undergraduate Diploma · 24 credits · OTHM Qualifications £9509 months · or £1,250 in 6 months Level 3Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care
Undergraduate Diploma · 58 credits · NQual · A-level equivalent £95015 months · or £1,250 in 10 months Level 3Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care
Undergraduate Diploma · 60 credits · Qualifi · A-level equivalent £9509 months · or £1,250 in 6 months Level 3Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare
Undergraduate Diploma · 61 credits · NQual · A-level equivalent £95015 months · or £1,250 in 10 months Level 3Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care
Undergraduate Diploma · 180 credits · Qualifi · A-level equivalent £1,50015 months · or £2,200 in 10 months Level 3Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care - 10 months
Undergraduate Diploma · 180 credits · Qualifi · A-level equivalent £2,20010 months Level 3Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Health and Social Care
Undergraduate Diploma · 60 credits · OTHM Qualifications · A-level equivalent £9509 months · or £1,250 in 6 months
Build · Level 4–5
Care practice & management
Care leadership and OTHM management diplomas. 29 courses
Level 2–6
Level 2 + Level 3 + Level 4 + Level 5 + Level 6 Diploma in Health and Social Care
Diploma progression · 424 credits · OTHM Qualifications · bachelor's degree level £3,30029 months · or £4,300 in 25 months Level 2–6Level 2 + Level 3 + Level 4 + Level 5 + Level 6 Diploma in Health and Social Care - 25 months
Diploma progression · 424 credits · bachelor's degree level £4,30025 months Level 2–5Level 2 + Level 3 + Level 4 + Level 5 Diploma in Health and Social Care
Diploma progression · 304 credits · OTHM Qualifications · two years of a UK degree £2,80024 months · or £3,800 in 20 months Level 2–5Level 2 + Level 3 + Level 4 + Level 5 Diploma in Health and Social Care - 20 months
Diploma progression · 304 credits · two years of a UK degree £3,80020 months Level 2–4Level 2 + Level 3 + Level 4 Diploma in Health and Social Care
Diploma progression · 184 credits · OTHM Qualifications £2,10018 months · or £2,850 in 15 months Level 2–4Level 2 + Level 3 + Level 4 Diploma in Health and Social Care - 15 months
Diploma progression · 184 credits £2,85015 months Level 3–6Level 3 + Level 4 + Level 5 + Level 6 Diploma in Health and Social Care Management
Diploma progression · 360 credits · OTHM Qualifications · bachelor's degree level £2,80024 months · or £3,800 in 20 months Level 3–6Level 3 + Level 4 + Level 5 + Level 6 Diploma in Health and Social Care Management - 20 months
Diploma progression · 360 credits · bachelor's degree level £3,80020 months Level 3–5Level 3 + Level 4 + Level 5 Diploma in Health and Social Care
Diploma progression · 300 credits · OTHM Qualifications · two years of a UK degree £2,10018 months · or £2,850 in 15 months Level 3–5Level 3 + Level 4 + Level 5 Diploma in Health and Social Care - 15 months
Diploma progression · 300 credits · two years of a UK degree £2,85015 months Level 3–4Level 3 + Level 4 Diploma in Health and Social Care
Diploma progression · 180 credits · OTHM Qualifications £1,50015 months · or £2,200 in 10 months Level 3–4Level 3 + Level 4 Diploma in Health and Social Care - 10 months
Diploma progression · 180 credits £2,20010 months Level 3–4Level 3 + Level 4 Diploma in Health and Social Care Management
Diploma progression · 180 credits · OTHM Qualifications £1,50015 months · or £2,200 in 10 months Level 3–4Level 3 + Level 4 Diploma in Health and Social Care Management - 10 months
Diploma progression · 180 credits £2,20010 months Level 4–6Level 4 + Level 5 + Level 6 Diploma in Health and Social Care Management
Diploma progression · 360 credits · OTHM Qualifications · bachelor's degree level £2,10018 months · or £2,850 in 15 months Level 4–6Level 4 + Level 5 + Level 6 Diploma in Health and Social Care Management - 15 months
Diploma progression · 360 credits · bachelor's degree level £2,85015 months Level 4–5Level 4 + Level 5 Diploma in Health and Social Care Management
Diploma progression · 240 credits · OTHM Qualifications · two years of a UK degree £1,50015 months · or £2,200 in 10 months Level 4–5Level 4 + Level 5 Diploma in Health and Social Care Management - 10 months
Diploma progression · 240 credits · two years of a UK degree £2,20010 months Level 4Level 4 Diploma in Adult Care
Undergraduate Diploma · 70 credits · NQual · 1st year of a UK degree £95015 months · or £1,250 in 10 months Level 4Level 4 Diploma in Health and Social Care
Undergraduate Diploma · 120 credits · Qualifi · 1st year of a UK degree £9509 months · or £1,250 in 6 months Level 4Level 4 Diploma in Health and Social Care Management
Undergraduate Diploma · 120 credits · OTHM Qualifications · 1st year of a UK degree £9509 months · or £1,250 in 6 months Level 5–6Level 5 + Level 6 Diploma in Health and Social Care Management
Diploma progression · 240 credits · OTHM Qualifications · bachelor's degree level £1,50015 months · or £2,200 in 10 months Level 5–6Level 5 + Level 6 Diploma in Health and Social Care Management - 10 months
Diploma progression · 240 credits · bachelor's degree level £2,20010 months Level 5Level 5 Diploma in Health and Social Care
Undergraduate Diploma · 120 credits · Qualifi · 2nd year / HND £9509 months · or £1,250 in 6 months Level 5Level 5 Diploma in Health and Social Care Management
Undergraduate Diploma · 120 credits · OTHM Qualifications · 2nd year / HND £9509 months · or £1,250 in 6 months Level 5Level 5 Diploma in Leadership & Management for Residential Childcare
Postgraduate Diploma · 65 credits · NQual · 2nd year / HND £95015 months · or £1,250 in 10 months Level 5Level 5 Diploma in Leading and Managing an Adult Care Service
Postgraduate Diploma · 90 credits · NQual · 2nd year / HND £9509 months · or £1,250 in 6 months Level 5Level 5 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care
Undergraduate Diploma · 240 credits · Qualifi · 2nd year / HND £1,50015 months · or £2,200 in 10 months Level 5Level 5 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care - 10 months
Undergraduate Diploma · 240 credits · Qualifi · 2nd year / HND £2,20010 months
Advance · Level 6–7
Service leadership
Further management qualifications where listed. 14 courses
Level 2–7
Level 2 + Level 3 + Level 4 + Level 5 + Level 6 + Level 7 Diploma in Health and Social Care
Diploma progression · 544 credits · OTHM Qualifications · master's degree level £4,90036 months · or £5,200 in 30 months Level 2–7Level 2 + Level 3 + Level 4 + Level 5 + Level 6 + Level 7 Diploma in Health and Social Care - 30 months
Diploma progression · 544 credits · master's degree level £5,20030 months Level 3–7Level 3 + Level 4 + Level 5 + Level 6 + Level 7 Diploma in Health and Social Care Management
Diploma progression · 540 credits · OTHM Qualifications · master's degree level £3,30029 months · or £4,300 in 25 months Level 3–7Level 3 + Level 4 + Level 5 + Level 6 + Level 7 Diploma in Health and Social Care Management - 25 months
Diploma progression · 540 credits · master's degree level £4,30025 months Level 4–7Level 4 + Level 5 + Level 6 + Level 7 Diploma in Health and Social Care Management
Diploma progression · 480 credits · OTHM Qualifications · master's degree level £2,80024 months · or £3,800 in 20 months Level 4–7Level 4 + Level 5 + Level 6 + Level 7 Diploma in Health and Social Care Management - 20 months
Diploma progression · 480 credits · master's degree level £3,80020 months Level 5–7Level 5 + Level 6 + Level 7 Diploma in Health and Social Care Management
Diploma progression · 360 credits · OTHM Qualifications · master's degree level £2,10018 months · or £2,850 in 15 months Level 5–7Level 5 + Level 6 + Level 7 Diploma in Health and Social Care Management - 15 months
Diploma progression · 360 credits · master's degree level £2,85015 months Level 6–7Level 6 + Level 7 Diploma in Health and Social Care Management
Diploma progression · 240 credits · OTHM Qualifications · master's degree level £1,50015 months · or £2,200 in 10 months Level 6–7Level 6 + Level 7 Diploma in Health and Social Care Management - 10 months
Diploma progression · 240 credits · master's degree level £2,20010 months Level 6Level 6 Diploma in Health and Social Care Management
Undergraduate Diploma · 120 credits · OTHM Qualifications £9509 months · or £1,250 in 6 months Level 7Level 7 Diploma in Health and Social Care
Postgraduate Diploma · 120 credits · Qualifi £9509 months · or £1,250 in 6 months Level 7Level 7 Diploma in Health and Social Care Management
Postgraduate Diploma · 120 credits · OTHM Qualifications £9509 months · or £1,250 in 6 months Level 7Level 7 Diploma in Relational Practice in Mental Health
Postgraduate Diploma · 120 credits · Qualifi £9509 months · or £1,250 in 6 months
Degrees
Care-related degrees
University routes only where published on this hub. 12 courses
BA (Hons) Business Management with Diploma in Health and Social Care Management - 18 months
Bachelor Degree · 480 credits · UK university award £6,70018 monthsBA (Hons) Business Management with Diploma in Health and Social Care Management - 24 months
Bachelor Degree · 480 credits · OTHM Qualifications · UK university award £5,90024 monthsBA (Hons) Business Management with Diploma in Health and Social Care Management - 36 months
Bachelor Degree · 480 credits · UK university award £5,90036 months · or £6,700 in 18 months Level 4–6Level 4 + Level 5 + Level 6 Diploma in Health and Social Care Management - 15 months
Bachelor Degree · 120 credits · OTHM Qualifications · UK university award View fees15 months Level 4–6Level 4 + Level 5 + Level 6 Diploma in Health and Social Care Management - 18 months
Bachelor Degree · 120 credits · UK university award £6,70018 months Level 4–6Level 4 + Level 5 + Level 6 Diploma in Health and Social Care Management - 24 months
Bachelor Degree · 120 credits · UK university award £5,90024 months · or £6,700 in 18 months Level 4–6Level 4 + Level 5 + Level 6 Diploma in Health and Social Care Management - 36 months
Bachelor Degree · 120 credits · UK university award £5,90036 months · or £6,700 in 18 months MBAMBA with Diploma in Health and Social Care Management - 12 months
Masters Degree · 180 credits · OTHM Qualifications · Master's degree · 180 credits Fees on request12 months · or £7,700 in 12 months MBAMBA with Diploma in Health and Social Care Management - 18 months
Masters Degree · 180 credits · Master's degree · 180 credits £6,70018 months MBAMBA with Diploma in Health and Social Care Management - 24 months
Masters Degree · 180 credits · Master's degree · 180 credits £5,70024 monthsMSc Healthcare Management - 12 months
Masters Degree · 180 credits · Master's degree · 180 credits View fees12 months · or £7,700 in 12 monthsMSc Healthcare Management Top Up
Masters Degree · 180 credits · Master's degree · 180 credits View fees6–9 monthsCareers
Roles you can target
Matched to the qualification level employers usually expect.
- Care Home Manager
- Senior Support Worker
- Health Services Manager
- Social Care Coordinator
- Registered Manager
- NHS Team Leader
Progression
From diploma to degree
Many learners progress from frontline care (Level 2–3) to service leadership (Level 5). Each step has different assessment rules — especially workplace evidence for NQual occupational qualifications.
Why LEAP
Why study online with LEAP Education?
Regulated UK diplomas
Many programmes are Ofqual-regulated diplomas from awarding bodies named on each course page. Degrees are university awards — check the course you apply for.Flexible study
Most programmes are online with assignment-based assessment; occupational qualifications may require workplace evidence — see the specification.Fast track
Many diplomas offer a shorter fast-track duration on the course page.Flexible fees
Instalment options depend on the programme — fees are listed on each course page.FAQ
Common questions
What is the difference between Level 3 and Level 5 adult care qualifications?
Level 3 diplomas (such as the NQual Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care) focus on frontline practice skills with workplace portfolio evidence. Level 5 qualifications (such as the NQual Level 5 Diploma in Leading and Managing an Adult Care Service) target leadership of a care service and also require workplace evidence. Choose the level that matches your job role and centre guidance.
Do I need workplace observations or a portfolio?
NQual adult care qualifications are occupational: you gather evidence in a suitable care setting. Direct observation may be required for competence units under the NQual specification. OTHM Level 5 Health and Social Care Management is assignment-based — see that course page for assessment detail.
Are these qualifications recognised by employers?
Ofqual-regulated diplomas from NQual, OTHM and Qualifi are listed on the Ofqual Register when a qualification number is published on the course page. Recognition for a specific job or CQC registration depends on the employer or regulator — a diploma alone does not guarantee registration.
Can I progress from care diplomas to management?
Yes — many learners move from Level 3 adult care to Level 5 service leadership or OTHM health and social care management. Progression is subject to entry requirements and admissions decisions.
Can I study health and social care courses online?
Learning and tutor support are online. Occupational qualifications still require appropriate workplace access for portfolio evidence where the specification demands it.
Free advice
Not sure which care qualification fits your role?
Tell us whether you work in adult care, residential childcare or management. We will point you to the right level and explain workplace evidence requirements.
WhatsApp +44 7724 870285 +44-203-8688831 admissions@leapedu.uk
Other career paths