Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ) – HNC in Healthcare Professions Support for England


  • Start Date: 22/09/2026
  • Course is for: Adult
  • Course Length: 1 Year
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Are you looking for a professional career in the health sector? Are you already employed in the health sector and eager for professional promotion? Then our HTQ course in Healthcare Professions is ideal for you.

Our Higher Technical Qualifications or HTQs are co-designed with employers to address an increasing need for high quality professional and technical education pathways. So, you not only get the knowledge you need to apply, or progress, but also the skills employers want in only 12 months.

The course aims to:

  • Give you the practical, interpersonal and thinking skills that algin with the latest professional standards.
  • Offer a range of learning opportunities such as group projects, supervised placements and the creation of a practice-basede development portfolio.
  • Provide extensive work-based learning, allowing you to put your theoretical knowledge into working practice.

The Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ) – Level 4 HNC in Healthcare Professions Support for England is equivalent to one year of a degree.

Modules include:

  • Demonstrating Professional Principles and Values in Health and Social Care Practice [30 credits]
  • Law, Policy and Ethical Practice [15 credits]
  • Fundamentals of Evidence-based Practice [15 credits]
  • Principles of Health Education [15 credits]
  • Effective Healthcare Practice Using Maths [15 credits]
  • Applied Anatomy and Physiology [15 credits]
  • Supporting the Individual Journey through Integrated Health and Social Care [15 credits]

Required Entry Qualifications

You will be required to demonstrate a level 3 qualification which evidences 56 UCAS points.

You will also be asked to demonstrate GCSE or equivalent qualifications in maths and English grade 4 or above.

Related work experience

IELTS 5.5 (reading and writing must be at 5.5) if English is not your first language.

Based on extensive vocational experience relevant to the health and social care sector, then Functional Skills Level 2 may be sufficient.

You would need to work towards achieving GCSE maths and English if you wish to progress to a Level 6 Top Up programme, where relevant.

A clear DBS

You will engage in a range of assessments over the two academic years including:

  • Essays
  • Reports
  • Portfolio
  • Multiple Choice Questionnaires
  • Reflections.

The assessments are an opportunity for you to demonstrate the skills and knowledge you have developed on the course.

Our teachers are ambitious, talented and passionate about making your experience at college the very best it can be.

They have up to date industry experience to share with you and the energy and enthusiasm to help you to get where you need to be.

They also understand that returning to study as an adult can be tough and that you’ll have lots of other priorities to juggle.

They pride themselves on offering lots of one to one support to help you do your very best.

You will be required to complete work experience within the healthcare sector. The requirements are 225 hours for the Level 4 HTQ.

If you are already employed in the healthcare sector in a relevant role then you may not need to undertake additional placement.

If you choose to progress to the Level 5 HND then you would need to complete an additional 225 hours on placement.

Students on the course make use of facilities at the Baltic campus including our libraries, classrooms and our clinical room.

You will also have access to our Careers and Guidance team to help you when applying for job roles and preparing for interviews.

The Healthcare Professions Support for England course is recognised by employers regionally and nationally, as they include both knowledge and skills and are underpinned by occupational standards, professional values and principles.

The Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ) – Level 4 HNC in Healthcare Professions Support for England provides you with a higher-level qualification to work as a Level 4 Senior Support Worker.

Senior support workers can work  in a range of settings such as a radiographic assistant in a hospital or mental health support.

If you wish to continue your HE studies you can progress to the Level 5 HND in Healthcare Professions Support for England.

On completion of the HND which is equivalent to a Foundation Degree, you can apply to study a Level 6 BSC in Professional Practice at the University of Sunderland.

The fee for this course is £5,995.

The fee shown is the fee you will pay per year of study. For example, if the course lasts for one year, this is the full fee you will pay.

If the course lasts for one or more years, this is the fee you’ll pay per year of study.

There may be additional costs for equipment, uniforms or study resources which we’ll let you know about at your course interview.

Many of our learners will apply for a Student Loan to help cover these fees. Our friendly team can help you through this process and can be contacted via email at [email protected] or 0191 490 0300 or via Live Chat.

Please note: The fee shown may be subject to change when our fee policy is agreed in Spring 2026. If this happens after you have applied, you will be contacted directly before the course is due to start. All courses will run subject to sufficient student numbers.

WHAT CAN I DO WITH A QUALIFICATION IN HIGHER TECHNICAL QUALIFICATION (HTQ) – HNC IN HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONS SUPPORT FOR ENGLAND?

  • Nursing Auxiliaries and Assistants
  • Engineering Technicians
  • IT User Support Technicians
  • Care Workers and Home Carers
  • Laboratory Technicians
  • Higher Level Teaching Assistants

Knowledge

Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Psychology: Knowledge of human behaviour and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioural and affective disorders.

Medicine and Dentistry: Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.

English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Therapy and Counselling: Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counselling and guidance.

Median Salary

£21,999

Averge Qualifications

Level 3 NVQ; A Levels

Apply Now

Knowledge

Mechanical: Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Engineering and Technology: Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

Mathematics: Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Computers and Electronics: Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Design: Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

Median Salary

£42,121

Averge Qualifications

Level 3 NVQ; A Levels

Apply Now

Knowledge

Computers and Electronics: Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Clerical: Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Telecommunications: Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.

Median Salary

£27,502

Averge Qualifications

Level 3 NVQ; A Levels

Apply Now

Knowledge

Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Medicine and Dentistry: Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.

Psychology: Knowledge of human behaviour and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioural and affective disorders.

Therapy and Counselling: Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counselling and guidance.

Median Salary

£18,162

Averge Qualifications

Level 2 NVQ; GCSE at grades A*-C

Apply Now

Knowledge

Chemistry: Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.

Mathematics: Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Computers and Electronics: Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Mechanical: Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Median Salary

£25,964

Averge Qualifications

Level 4 NVQ; Intermediate, DipHE, DipFE

Apply Now

Knowledge

Education and Training: Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Public Safety and Security: Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Psychology: Knowledge of human behaviour and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioural and affective disorders.

Median Salary

£21,718

Averge Qualifications

Level 2 NVQ; GCSE at grades A*-C

Apply Now

Skills

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Learning Strategies

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Mathematics

Using mathematics to solve problems.

Science

Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Skills

Mathematics

Using mathematics to solve problems.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Learning Strategies

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Science

Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Skills

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Learning Strategies

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Mathematics

Using mathematics to solve problems.

Science

Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Skills

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Learning Strategies

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Mathematics

Using mathematics to solve problems.

Science

Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Skills

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Science

Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Mathematics

Using mathematics to solve problems.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Learning Strategies

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Skills

Learning Strategies

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Mathematics

Using mathematics to solve problems.

Science

Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

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