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5 Aug 2026, 15:02
Inverness
Applied Sciences
- Higher National Certificate
- 1 Years
- Full-Time
- September 2027
- Undergraduate
- Inverness
- Awarded by:
- Scottish Qualifications Authority trading as SQA
Course summary
The HNC Applied Sciences is a wide-ranging course, covering the theoretical and practical aspects of modern sciences. You will study ecology, environmental issues, and the core sciences; develop your laboratory skills; and improve your research and writing skills.
You will learn a broad range of sciences, such as Chemistry, Biology, Physics and Environmental disciplines. Developing scientific theoretical knowledge and scientific communication and presentations skills. The Graded Unit gives you the opportunity to conduct specialised research in a topic that will hone your scientific knowledge in your chosen field for progression.
The course includes a large amount of training in essential practical skills within the laboratory that are relevant to local and national employers. You will acquire knowledge of Health and Safety Systems and Good Laboratory Practice, developing skills of experimentation, analysis and reporting in practical sessions, skills that are highly transferrable to employment and further study. Be prepared to spend plenty of hands on time in the lab, conducting experiments and processing your results in the Laboratory Skills unit.
Basic skills in Maths and Statistics are covered to enhance scientific analysis of experimental and field data.
The ethical and environmental issues raised by these units will be discussed in the Environmental Awareness unit.
Where possible, you will be invited on site visits to local science industries and given the opportunity to appreciate and understand the key issues and problems the industry encounters, all valuable experience for entering the science industry.
Modules
Module outline
Year 1 - HNC
Mandatory units may include:
Semester 1
-
DNA and Genetics
-
Mathematics for science
-
Statistics for science
Semester 2
-
Applied sciences: graded unit
-
Fundamental chemistry: theory and laboratory skills
-
Cell biology: theory and laboratory skills
Semesters 1 and 2
-
Laboratory skills for science industries
-
Physics for life sciences
Optional units may include:
Semester 1
-
Environmental awareness
-
Quality and health and safety systems in science industries
Semester 2
-
Ecology and ecosystems
-
Fundamental chemistry: an introduction
-
Maths for science 2
This outline reflects the modules as currently delivered and is subject to change.
How to apply
Apply by
13 January 2027
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- 0CFG
- Institution code:
- H49
- Campus name:
- Inverness
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
Typical qualification requirements
A levelDD
Including 1 science subject
Scottish HigherCC
Including 1 science subject, or grades CD or above (including two science subjects).
Scottish National CertificatePass
NC/NQ in a Science subject such as NQ Access to Science or NC Applied Science
Foundation Apprenticeship (SCQF Level 6)Pass
Foundation Apprenticeship Food and Drink Technologies plus a Higher in Science and National 5 Chemistry or Biology or equivalent.
OR
Foundation Apprenticeship Scientific Technologies (Laboratory Skills), plus National 5 Chemistry or Biology, or equivalent.
UHI does not use Tariff points, and accepts a range of qualifications. Applicants with other relevant qualifications or experience will be considered on an individual basis. https://www.uhi.ac.uk/en/courses/hnc-applied-sciences/
Additional entry requirements
- Interview
- You may be required to attend an interview.
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 5.5 | Overall score of 5.5 with no element below 5.0 |
| PTE Academic | 50 | Minimum score of 50 |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 69 | Min 69 or above with min 17 in each section |
Our programmes are taught and examined in English. To make the most of your studies, you must be able to communicate fluently and accurately in spoken and written English in an academic environment and provide certified proof of your competence before starting your course. Please note that English language tests need to have been taken no more than two years prior to the start date of the course. The minimum English language requirements to study at the University of the Highlands and Islands are detailed below:https://www.uhi.ac.uk/en/studying-at-uhi/international/eligibility/english-language-requirements/
Contextual admissions
Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.
UHI is committed to achieving widening access, and achieving a fair balance of entrants to higher education. Widening access can be broadly defined as ‘ensuring fair access to higher education’. Widening access is principally about ensuring that those who have the ability and potential to benefit from a higher education, irrespective of their background or economic circumstances can do so.
Learn more on the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) website
International entry requirements
This course is available for international students (including EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled or pre-settled status in the UK) requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK. Part-time study is not open to international students requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK.
Historical entry grades data
This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).
It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.
Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
Not enough data available
We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
Per year tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Scotland | £1285* | |
| England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands & Republic of Ireland | £7886* | |
| EU & International | £9460* |
* This is a provisional fee and subject to change.
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
Additional fee information
For course specific fees information please refer to the Fees/funding tab on the university website course page.
You can also find information on additional funding available such as bursaries and scholarships at https://www.uhi.ac.uk/en/studying-at-uhi/first-steps/how-much-will-it-cost/funding-your-studies/bursaries-and-scholarships/
Sponsorship information
Scholarships, Bursaries, Awards and Discretionary Funds
Further information on funding, scholarships and bursaries can be found on our website.
Course contact details
UHI Course Information Line
Phone:01463 279190
University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)
UHI House
Old Perth Road
Inverness
IV2 3JH
Related courses
At University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)
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