Pearson Education Ltd · RQF Level 3
Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Applied Science (QCF)
You don’t just earn this. You learn to use it, one-to-one, on your own real work.
- LevelRQF Level 3
- Total credits120
- Guided learning720 hours
- Units in this qualification49
Awarded by Pearson Education Ltd · on the Ofqual register
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See how this course maps onto your role
Ten quick questions, one per Future Fluency, asked against this qualification rather than a generic one.
About 5 minutes · No card · Nothing to commit to
What you’ll learn
What each unit actually teaches you to do
These are the units Pearson Education Ltd registers against this qualification. It is a catalogue, not a syllabus. Which of them you take depends on the combination the qualification requires, and that is set by the awarding body rather than by us. Every unit here is regulated, and every one you earn is yours to keep.
Applications of Forensic PsychologyReal unit · Pearson Education Ltd
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the applied nature of forensic psychology
- Know how psychology is used in forensic practice
- Apply psychological profiling theory and techniques to produce a criminal profile
- Understand the contribution psychological research has made to understanding criminal behaviour
AstronomyReal unit · Pearson Education Ltd
What you'll be able to do
- Know the components within our solar system
- Observe astronomical objects
- Know the factors involved in space flight
- Understand concepts in astrophysics and cosmology
Biochemistry and Biochemical TechniquesReal unit · Pearson Education Ltd
What you'll be able to do
- Investigate properties of water and biological molecules in living organisms
- Understand the structure of proteins
- Investigate the factors that affect the activities of enzymes in biological systems
- Know the difference between aerobic and anaerobic respiration
Biomedical Science TechniquesReal unit · Pearson Education Ltd
What you'll be able to do
- Investigate the structure and characteristics of major groups of organisms of medical importance
- Understand how the body defends itself against infection
- Know how the principles of blood transfusion science relate to haematology
- Know the importance of call pathology as a diagnostic tool
- Know how the chemical makeup of the body influences health and disease
Chemical Laboratory TechniquesReal unit · Pearson Education Ltd
What you'll be able to do
- Prepare substances
- Measure percentage yield and percentage purity
- Carry out qualitative analysis of compounds
- Carry out quantitative analysis of compounds within a matrix
Chemical Periodicity and Its ApplicationsReal unit · Pearson Education Ltd
What you'll be able to do
- Know how physical and chemical properties of elements and their compounds are related to the positions of the elements in the periodic table
- Understand how the properties of substances influence their production and uses
- Know analytical procedures based on oxidation and reduction
- Investigate practically a range of reactions involving solutions of transition metal ions
Chemistry for Biology TechniciansReal unit · Pearson Education Ltd
What you'll be able to do
- Relate enthalpy changes to the bonding in a range of substances
- Show how rates of reaction are affected by varying the reaction conditions
- Interpret key features of equilibrium processes
- Demonstrate the structure and properties of simple organic molecules
Clinical PsychologyReal unit · Pearson Education Ltd
What you'll be able to do
- Know the explanations that exist to explain mental disorder
- Understand issues around diagnosing mental disorder
- Know how mental disorders can be treated
- Carry out an ethical psychological investigation into the area of mental health
Criminal Investigation ProceduresReal unit · Pearson Education Ltd
What you'll be able to do
- Know the principles of basic criminal investigations
- Know the aids and tools available to the criminal investigator
- Understand the legal framework for criminal investigation and relationship with the criminal justice system
- Understand the relationship between crime prevention methods and criminal investigations
Criminal Investigation in PracticeReal unit · Pearson Education Ltd
What you'll be able to do
- Research a crime case, appreciating the various procedures and practices involved in evidence collection
- Know the contribution of those involved in various stages of the investigation process
- Use interviewing and communication skills for the purpose of obtaining intelligence information
- Understand how the investigating team involved in the crime case reached their conclusions and whether they are justified
Criminal PsychologyReal unit · Pearson Education Ltd
What you'll be able to do
- Understand how psychological perspectives have been applied to criminal behaviour
- Undertake a psychological study into a crime issue
- Know how psychological theories have been applied to different issues within the Criminal Justice System
- Understand the influence psychological research has had on aspects of the Criminal Justice System
CriminologyReal unit · Pearson Education Ltd
What you'll be able to do
- Understand how competing definitions of crime influence its measurement
- Know the theoretical explanations of crime
- Understand the role of the media in our perception of crime
- Know how the aims of state penal policy relate to crime theories
Diseases and InfectionsReal unit · Pearson Education Ltd
What you'll be able to do
- Know the different types of diseases and infections
- Understand the factors that can influence the development of diseases and infections
- Investigate the spread of diseases and infections
- Know some of the impacts that diseases and infections can have upon people, society and the environment
- Understand ways in which diseases can be treated, cured or eradicated
Electrical Circuits and their ApplicationsReal unit · Pearson Education Ltd
What you'll be able to do
- Know principle electrical terms, quantities and relationships
- Measure electrical values by construction of series and parallel circuits
- Understand the characteristics of ac and dc circuits
- Understand the health and safety aspects of working with electricity
- Know the uses of transducers and measurement devices
Electronics for Science TechniciansReal unit · Pearson Education Ltd
What you'll be able to do
- Know principle discrete electronic components and circuit theory
- Measure suitable electrical values using test equipment
- Construct and test analogue and digital circuits safely
- Construct and test circuits containing analogue, digital and integrated circuit components
Energy Changes, Sources and ApplicationsReal unit · Pearson Education Ltd
What you'll be able to do
- Know the fundamentalconcepts associated withenergy and its measurement
- Investigate howchanges of temperature or physical state relate to changes in internal energy
- Understand the differencesand relationships between different energy transfer mechanisms
- Understand the properties ofelectrical energy sources
Extraction and Refining of MetalsReal unit · Pearson Education Ltd
What you'll be able to do
- Know about the use of ore preparation processes for the ores of common metals
- Understand the physical chemistry of extraction and refining of metals
- Understand the techniques used in the extraction of metals
- Know the processes used in the refining of metal
Forensic Evidence Collection and AnalysisReal unit · Pearson Education Ltd
What you'll be able to do
- Gather forensic evidence from a simulated crime scene using appropriate methods
- Use chemical techniques to analyse evidence from a simulated crime scene
- Use physical techniques to analyse evidence from a simulated crime scene
- Use biological techniques to analyse evidence from a simulated crime scene
- Report the analysis of evidence from a simulated crime scene
Forensic Fire InvestigationReal unit · Pearson Education Ltd
What you'll be able to do
- Know the chemistry of combustion and extinction
- Know how safety aspects of building construction and design relate to fire prevention
- Investigate a fire scene
- Know the role played by other agencies
Forensic PhotographyReal unit · Pearson Education Ltd
What you'll be able to do
- Know the theoretical principles behind the selection and use of equipment to make a photographic portfolio for forensic purposes
- Use appropriate equipment and camera settings to make a photographic record for forensic purposes
- Know how photography is used in the Criminal Justice System
- Produce a photographic portfolio for forensic purposes
Forensic Science InformaticsReal unit · Pearson Education Ltd
What you'll be able to do
- Use information and communication technologies to obtain forensic information
- Know how internet misuse is policed
- Know common methods of computer sabotage
- Use computer software to produce a document that could be used for forensic purposes
Fundamentals of ScienceReal unit · Pearson Education Ltd
What you'll be able to do
- Use the necessary skills to measure quantities for chemical reactions
- Use the correct equipment to identify structures and functions in different types of cells
- Investigate different types of energy and their transfers
- Communicate scientific information
Genetics and Genetic EngineeringReal unit · Pearson Education Ltd
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the process of protein synthesis
- Investigate the process of cell division in eukaryotic cells
- Understand the principles of Mendelian genetics
- Apply basic techniques of DNA technology
Geology of Natural ResourcesReal unit · Pearson Education Ltd
What you'll be able to do
- Know how geological resources are formed by geological processes
- Investigate the geology and geological features of an area
- Know the methods used to explore for and extract geological resources
- Investigate the environmental impacts and management of resource exploitation
Industrial Applications of Organic ChemistryReal unit · Pearson Education Ltd
What you'll be able to do
- Know the properties of hydrocarbons
- Know the properties of simple functional group compounds
- Understand the importance of isomerism
- Carry out reactions involving organic compounds
Industrial Chemical ReactionsReal unit · Pearson Education Ltd
What you'll be able to do
- Understand how to calculate enthalpy changes from experimental and supplied data
- Investigate rates of chemical reactions in terms of the factors that influence them
- Understand the principles of chemical equilibrium
- Understand how physical chemistry concepts are applied to the control of industrial processes
Informatics in ScienceReal unit · Pearson Education Ltd
What you'll be able to do
- Know how informatics is used in science
- Collect scientific data
- Store and analyse data
Mathematical Calculations for ScienceReal unit · Pearson Education Ltd
What you'll be able to do
- Use algebraic manipulations to solve scientific problems
- Use trigonometric methods to solve scientific problems
- Use calculus to solve scientific problems
Mechanical and Thermal Treatment of MetalsReal unit · Pearson Education Ltd
What you'll be able to do
- Understand working processes for product manufacture
- Know about powder metallurgy techniques for component manufacture
- Understand the applications of heat-treatment furnaces and ancillary equipment
- Understand process controls and typical defects in wrought and heat-treated products.
Medical InstrumentationReal unit · Pearson Education Ltd
What you'll be able to do
- Investigate the use of transducers and sensors to take physiological measurements
- Demonstrate the processing used in medical instrumentation
- Investigate how display and recording units used in medical instrumentation circuits operate
- Investigate how medical instrumentation circuits are maintained and calibrated
Medical Physics TechniquesReal unit · Pearson Education Ltd
What you'll be able to do
- Know atomic structure and the physical principles of ionising radiation and ultrasound
- Understand how radiopharmaceuticals are used in diagnostic imaging
- Know the basic principles of magnetic resonance imaging
- Understand the importance of radiation safety to the treatment of malignant disease with radiotherapy
Microbiological TechniquesReal unit · Pearson Education Ltd
What you'll be able to do
- Identify the characteristic features and functions of akaryotes, prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
- Use aseptic techniques to culture microorganisms
- Determine the factors that influence the growth of microorganisms
- Identify microorganisms
Perceptions of ScienceReal unit · Pearson Education Ltd
What you'll be able to do
- Know how scientific ideas develop
- Understand the public perception of science, as influenced by the media
- Investigate the ethical and moral issues associated with scientific advances
- Know the relationship between science, commerce and politics
Physiological InvestigationsReal unit · Pearson Education Ltd
What you'll be able to do
- Know the different physiological measurement tests available and the conditions they can detect
- Understand the profile of normal and abnormal test results
- Carry out clinical investigations using appropriate physiological measurement tests
- The results of a clinical investigation
Physiology of Human Body SystemsReal unit · Pearson Education Ltd
What you'll be able to do
- Know the levels of organisation within the human body
- Relate the structure of the circulatory system to its function in a multi-cellular organism
- Relate the structure of the respiratory system to its function
- Relate the structure of the digestive system to its function
- Understand the immunological function of the lymphatic system
Physiology of Human Regulation and ReproductionReal unit · Pearson Education Ltd
What you'll be able to do
- Know the importance of the regulation of body fluids in the human body
- Know the organisation and function of the nervous system
- Understand the homeostatic mechanisms used by the body to maintain the internal environment
- Understand how the structure of the human reproductive system relates to the functions
Practical Chemical AnalysisReal unit · Pearson Education Ltd
What you'll be able to do
- Use standard solutions in quantitative analysis
- Analyse data from spectroscopic techniques to provide analytical information about chemical substances
- Use chromatographic techniques to analyse mixtures of chemical substances
- Know how an industrial or commercial labouratory operates
Principles of Plant and Soil ScienceReal unit · Pearson Education Ltd
What you'll be able to do
- Understand plant structures and physiology
- Understand plant growth and development
- Investigate the principles of soil science
- Know the ways in which people can influence plant and soil processes
Rubber Products and Specialist ElastomersReal unit · Pearson Education Ltd
What you'll be able to do
- Know the classification, properties and applications of specialist rubbers
- Investigate latex technology and the preparation of latex mixes and products
- Understand the preparation, properties and application of rubber solutions
- Investigate the design, manufacture and material selection for a range of rubber products
Rubber TechnologyReal unit · Pearson Education Ltd
What you'll be able to do
- Know the classification, properties and applications of rubbers
- Know the effects of additives used in rubber mix design
- Investigate the use of additives in the mix design in the processing, costs and property modification of rubbers
- Understand the construction and use of processing equipment for the manufacture of rubber products
Science for Environmental TechniciansReal unit · Pearson Education Ltd
What you'll be able to do
- Know the scientific principles and processes which influence changes in the atmosphere
- Investigate processes associated with soil and rock formation
- Understand the processes involved with the water cycle and our management of water
- Understand the factors associated with life forms and natural environmental balance
- Understand the management of materials
Scientific InvestigationsReal unit · Pearson Education Ltd
What you'll be able to do
- Plan an investigation relevant to the area of study
- Undertake the planned investigation, using appropriate scientific principles
- Collect, collate and analyse the results from the investigation
- Draw conclusions from the investigation
Scientific Practical TechniquesReal unit · Pearson Education Ltd
What you'll be able to do
- Use analytical techniques
- Use scientific techniques to separate and assess purity of substances
- Use instruments/sensors for scientific investigations
Structure and Properties of MetalsReal unit · Pearson Education Ltd
What you'll be able to do
- Know about the crystal and grain structure of metals
- Construct and read the thermal equilibrium diagram of a binary alloy
- Know the meaning of terms used to describe the properties of a metal
- Know how hot and cold working affects the structure and properties of metals.
Traffic Accident InvestigationReal unit · Pearson Education Ltd
What you'll be able to do
- Know the major factors that cause road traffic accidents and injury
- Know how science is used in the road traffic accident investigation process
- Investigate a simulated crash scene
- Know which legislation applies to road traffic accident investigations
Using Mathematical Tools in ScienceReal unit · Pearson Education Ltd
What you'll be able to do
- Use mathematical tools in science
- Collect and record scientific data
- Display and interpret scientific data
Using Science in the WorkplaceReal unit · Pearson Education Ltd
What you'll be able to do
- Understand how science-based organisations develop products and deliver services
- Understand the requirements of science technicians in the organisation
- Carry out relevant scientific practical work
- Know the constraints under which the organisation must operate
Using Statistics in ScienceReal unit · Pearson Education Ltd
What you'll be able to do
- Use statistical techniques to investigate scientific problems
- Perform statistical tests to investigate scientific problems
Working in the Science IndustryReal unit · Pearson Education Ltd
What you'll be able to do
- Know how procedures are followed and communicated in the scientific workplace
- Design a scientific labouratory
- Know about labouratory information management systems
- Demonstrate safe working practices in the scientific workplace
The honest bit
You’ve started things before
Most courses were built for a room full of people who aren’t you. A cohort moves on whether or not your week allowed it, and by the third week the thing you’re behind on becomes the reason you stop opening it.
There’s no cohort here, and no timetable to fall behind. Before anything starts, Zavmo asks when you’re sharpest and how long you can realistically sit down for, then builds the sessions around those answers. A bad fortnight changes your pace. It doesn’t put you behind.
And you only pay once you start learning. Searching and planning are free, and you can cancel any time — so the cost of finding out is an afternoon, not a year.
Your passport
Every credit is a stamp you keep
Level 3 credits are regulated. They don’t vanish when a subscription ends or a website closes. They travel to any employer, and Zavmo keeps the map of what you’ve earned and what’s next.
Each stamp is a real unit registered against this qualification.
Who’d teach you this

The Evidence Evaluator
Assessor
Helps you show what you can actually do, gathering the evidence that proves it as you learn.
Meet all twelve tutorsWhere this connects
Where these credits take you
A qualification is never a dead end here. See the jobs its credits open, the national occupational standards its units map to, and the future skills they quietly build.
- Agree the nature and purpose of investigation into an individual’s health status
- Analyse and compare forensic materials
- Assess the genetic risk associated with a condition
- Carry out investigation in life sciences and related industries
- Conduct internet investigations
- Conduct investigations
- Create visual records for forensic investigations
- Determine investigations required to meet clinical need
Where this can lead
Associate Scientist / R&D Technician
Your career here is what you make it. We're committed to providing the opportunities and support, but your curiosity, drive, and willingness to learn will ultimately shape your path. We want to see you grow, and we're excited to see where your journey in R&D takes you.
See the whole journey →Showing 6 roles, drawn from 82 job records mapped to this qualification.
Skills it covers
What the job actually needs. These are the standards the units are built against, in the words employers and awarding bodies already use for the work itself.
How you’ll actually learn this
One-to-one, on your own real work
A qualification is usually something done to you: sit the class, sit the exam, hope it sticks. Here it’s the opposite. You learn it one-to-one with a companion, on your own real work, and you keep going until you can use it, not just recall it.
Applied to your work in any of these jobs
- Remember
- Understand
- Apply
- Analyse
- Evaluate
- Create
Built for Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Applied Science (QCF)
49 units in this credential, in the order it lists them, awarded by Pearson Education Ltd.
- Applications of Forensic Psychology
- Astronomy
- Biochemistry and Biochemical Techniques
- Biomedical Science Techniques
- Chemical Laboratory Techniques
- Chemical Periodicity and Its Applications
and 43 more in the full unit list below.
One to one, not one to many
No two people run this the same way
A course is written once and handed to everyone. This is assembled around you, and keeps changing as it learns you. Five things it reads, and what each one changes.
- Your actual work Every unit is taught against a live piece of your own work, not a worked example from a textbook.
- What you already know The first conversation finds your starting point, so you skip what you can already do and spend the time on what you cannot.
- The conditions you learn under Not a learning-styles quiz. The evidence does not support those. The dimensions the research does back, read once and used to shape the plan.
- How far you got last time It picks up mid-thought. The tutor knows what you said, what you struggled with, and what it asked you to try.
- Which tutor suits the moment Twelve of them, each for a different kind of thinking. The one who walks you through a first idea is not the one who stress-tests it.
See how you learn, free. Eight questions, no sign-up. A directional taster; the diagnostic inside Zavmo goes deeper and keeps adapting.
Why it sticks
Most courses stop at remembering
There’s a well-known ladder of how deeply you learn something, called Bloom’s Taxonomy. Most courses get you up the first two rungs: you remember some facts, you pass a test, you forget it. Real skill lives at the top. Judging, deciding, creating. And this isn’t a generic ladder: every rung has a named Zavmo tutor who walks you up it.
- 6CreateThe Creative Catalyst
- 5EvaluateThe Evidence Evaluator
- 4AnalyseThe Analyst
- 3ApplyThe Coach
- 2UnderstandThe Connector
- 1RememberThe Builder
Where most courses leave you Where Zavmo takes you
The value
Why the companion is worth £70 a month
You’re not paying for the units. They’re regulated, and the same wherever you earn them. You’re paying for the one thing that decides whether you actually get there: a companion that makes them stick, on your real work.
That is one-to-one on this qualification, every day, on the work you already do, for £70 a month. Your first module is free, so you can see the teaching before you pay for any of it. Billed monthly, cancel any time and billing stops.
Earned on your own work, taught to the top.
Everything you just read, learned one-to-one on the job you already do. Your first module is free, so you can see the teaching before you pay for any of it.
Build my plan, freeNo card. See how this qualification maps onto your role and meet the tutors who’d teach it, free. The learning begins when you subscribe. It’s £70 a month, billed monthly. Cancel any time and billing stops.