Health Professions & Social Services
SVQ 3 Clinical Award SCQF Level 7
Campus OL - Open Learning/Cross Campus
Qualification SCQF Level 7
Study mode Open learning
Start date
Aug 2026
Course enquiry form
Course overview
This qualification is suitable for people employed in the healthcare sector as a clinical healthcare support worker. SVQs are work-based qualifications that assess the skills and knowledge required to perform job roles effectively. You will be allocated an assessor who will work with you to gather evidence demonstrating that you meet the required standards. This qualification will enable the student to register with the SSSC.
In your current job role, you should be involved in:
- Promote effective communication within the service.
- Promote the health, safety, and security of yourself and others for whom you are responsible within the service, for example, by monitoring and maintaining health, safety, and security; promoting safe, healthy, and secure working practices; and minimising risks arising from emergencies.
- Develop your practice within the service setting; for example, reflect on your practice in the workplace and take action to enhance it by utilising development opportunities.
Application Process
- Once your application has been submitted, the college will send you a short questionnaire. This helps us ensure that you're applying for the most suitable course and allows us to progress your application to the next stage.
- Please complete the questionnaire within 7 days of receiving it. If it is not returned within this timeframe, your application will be cancelled.
Fees and Funding
- Fee: £1,248
- Estimated Duration: 12 months
Edinburgh College makes every effort to support you throughout your qualification. However, suppose you do not engage with the qualification and do not complete within the estimated completion period. In that case, Edinburgh College may implement a monthly fee of £150 (SVQ 2 and SVQ 3) or £218 (SVQ 4) per person for ongoing assessor support. This would not apply if candidates are put on hold for personal or work-related reasons.
Various funding streams are available to cover some or all costs. These include:
- Fees paid by the employer or the student
- SAAS Part-Time Fee Grants may be available for candidates enrolled in courses at SCQF Level 7 and above who meet the eligibility criteria. SAAS funding would normally part-fund a qualification.
- Voluntary sector organisations can apply to the Voluntary Sector Development Fund. This is done independently of the College.
- Modern Apprenticeship funding may be available at all levels, subject to funding allocations. Please note that there are additional requirements for accessing this funding, including completing additional units and attending regular and thorough review meetings. This funding may entirely or partially cover the cost of a qualification, depending on allocations and levels.
- You may be entitled to apply for a fee waiver for this course (this option is only for individuals who are paying for the course themselves - not businesses). Fee waivers can only be offered if candidates provide documentary evidence to prove eligibility for fee waiver funding
The SVQ Healthcare Support (Clinical) at SCQF level 7 consists of 3 mandatory Units and 5 optional Units.
For details of the Units making up the SVQ, please refer to the Qualification Structure document:
How the course is assessed
- The course is assessed holistically by reflective accounts, observations, tasks and questions.
Number of days per week
- Flexible learning.
- Regular 1-1 meetings with your workplace assessor, at your workplace, at a college campus or online.
Entry requirements
- Currently employed as a clinical support worker in the healthcare sector.
- You must have permission from your employer to allow our assessors to observe you in your workplace.
- Please contact andrew.clark@edinburghcollege.ac.uk if you have any questions about entry requirements.
- You must have the right to work and study in the UK
Information on Tests / Auditions / Interview Requirements
English Proficiency Requirements
IELTS 5.5Progression and Articulation Routes
- SVQ 4
- LMC
Career options
- This qualification will enable the candidate to access a broad range of career opportunities throughout the healthcare sector.
Study Options
| Campus | Study mode | Start date |
|---|---|---|
| OL - Open Learning/Cross Campus | Open learning | 24/08/26 |
