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Applied Sciences Top up

  • HND
  • 1 Years
  • Full-time
  • September 2026
  • Undergraduate
Main Site
Awarded by:
Pearson Education Ltd
More about Solihull College & University Centre

Course options

2026-20272027-2028
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Course summary

The selected specialist pathway (Biology) is designed to support progression into relevant occupational areas or on to degree-level study. The pathways are referenced against professional body standards and meet the mandatory qualification requirements of the Level 5 Technician Scientist Higher Apprenticeship standard, providing apprenticeship status and progression to direct employment. The skills offered as part of the Pearson BTEC Level 5 HND can provide graduates with the opportunity to work in many different areas of the Applied Sciences sector.

Modules

The Higher National Diploma (HND) is a Level 5 qualification made up of 120 credits. Pearson BTEC Higher Nationals consist of core (mandatory), specialist (mandatory and optional), and generic (optional) units. Specialist units are designed to provide a specific occupational focus to the qualification and are aligned to professional body and/or higher apprenticeship standards.

The following are the core units taught in the second academic year:

Unit 27, Analysis of Scientific Data and Information (15 credits)
Unit 28, Applied Sciences Research Project (30 credits)
Unit 29, Biochemistry of Macromolecules and Metabolic Pathways (15 credits)
Unit 30, Molecular Biology and Genetics (15 credits)
Unit 31, Immunology (15 credits)

The following are the specialist units taught in the second academic year:

Unit 41, Conservation and Biodiversity
Unit 57, Infectious Diseases and Diagnosis

Assessment method

Assessments are through a range of different coursework designed to develop academic and employability skills.

Examples of assessment may include any of the following:

Unsupervised compilation of portfolios of scientific reports.
Unsupervised e-assessment.
Unsupervised coursework.
Supervised experimental work.

Qualified teacher status (QTS)

To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:

  • Course does not award QTS

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • HND • Full-time • 1 Years

Start dates

  • September 2026

Apply by
14 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
AS02
Institution code:
S26
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1

Solihull College & University Centre has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

This course is not accepting applications from students requiring a Student visa. For more information, please contact the course provider.

Apply by
14 January

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:
AS02
Institution code:
S26
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

International applicants

Solihull College & University Centre are not a licenced student sponsor institution for UK student visas; therefore, we are unable to accept applications from students that require a student visa to enter the UK.

Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff
Not accepted

A level
Not accepted

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Not accepted

Access to HE Diploma
Not accepted

GCSE/National 4/National 5

GCSE/IGCSE English Language grades 9-4/A*-C or recognised equivalent.   
GCSE/IGCSE Maths grades 9-4/A*-C or recognised equivalent.   
GCSE/IGCSE Science grades 9-4/A*-C or recognised equivalent.

HNC (BTEC)
P

Minimum of 120 credits and a Pass grade in Pearson BTEC Higher National Certificate in Applied Sciences (Biology)

English language requirements

Students who are non-native English speakers, or who have not studied the final two years of school in English, but can demonstrate capability in English at a standard commensurate to IELTS 6.0, with a minimum of 5.5 being awarded on individual sections for a level 4, 5 or 6 qualification, will be considered as eligible to apply for the programme/course.

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.

Contextual offer for students who meet widening participation criteria do not apply to this top-up course, as applicants must have 120 credits at level 4 to progress to the Level 5 qualification.

Learn more on the Solihull College & University Centre website

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

LocationFeeYear

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

There will also be additional costs for learning resources such as books, stationary and for the production of coursework (the cost of this will depend on the direction and ambition of your work but we suggest budgeting approximately £250 for materials and books). (There are no compulsory requirements to purchase books).

Sponsorship information

Solihull College & University Centre offer a Higher Education Bursary.

Related courses

At Solihull College & University Centre

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