Solihull College & University Centre
Blossomfield Road
Solihull
B91 1SB
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Applied Sciences
- HNC
- 1 Years
- Full-time
- 09/2026
- Undergraduate
- Main Site
- Awarded by:
- Pearson Education Ltd
Course summary
This one-year, full time course aims to equip students with the skills, knowledge and understanding necessary for success in the Applied Sciences environment. After completing a Pearson BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate (HNC), students can progress directly into employment and / or commit to progression routes to degree-level study.
The selected specialist pathways (Biology, Biotechnology) are designed to support progression into relevant occupational areas or on to degree-level study.
The skills offered as part of the Pearson Level 4 HNC can provide graduates with the opportunity to work in many different areas of the Applied Sciences sector
Modules
The Higher National Certificate (HNC) is a Level 4 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
Unit 1, Fundamentals of Laboratory Techniques (15 credits)
Unit 2, Scientific Data Handling Approaches and Techniques (15 credits)
Unit 3, Regulation and Quality in the Applied Sciences (15 credits)
Unit 4, Cell Biology (15 credits)
Unit 5, Fundamentals of Chemistry (15 credits)
Unit 6, Anatomy and Human Physiology (15 credits)
The following are the specialist units
Unit 17, Fundamentals of Biochemistry (15 credits)
Unit 18, Microbiological Techniques (15 credits)
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
This course is not accepting applications for deferred entry.
Ways to study this course
Campuses
- Main Site
Study options
- HNC • Full-time • 1 Years
Start dates
- 09/2026
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:
- AS01
- Institution code:
- S26
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus Code:
- -
- Points of Entry:
- Year 1
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
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
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:
- AS01
- 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
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 80 points
Must be in a relevant subject area to the subject qualification.
A level
A minimum of three A levels equivalent to 80 UCAS Tariff Points must be a relevant subject area to the subject qualification.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - MMP
Must be in a relevant subject area to the subject qualification.
Access to HE Diploma
Pass in Access course with 60 credits overall including 45 Level 3 credits passed with a minimum of 80 UCAS in a relevant subject area to the subject qualification.
GCSE/National 4/National 5
GCSE A*-C or 9-4 in English Language, Mathematics and Science or a recognised equivalent.
T Level - Pass (C and above)
Must be in a relevant subject area to the subject qualification.
Additional entry requirements
- Other
- Equal consideration is given to applicants who are currently in relevant work and wish to apply to Solihull College & University Centre. To apply, they must have a minimum of 3 years’ relevant work experience, demonstrating technical, management or supervisory duties. Any application must also include a reference from their line manager which supports entry to higher education.
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.
Solihull College & University Centre is committed to widening participation and ensuring fair access to higher education for all learners, regardless of their background. We are committed to recruiting a student body from a diverse background with a wide range of lived experiences, to create a rich learning environment.
Learn more on the Solihull College & University Centre website
Historical entry grades data BETA
This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted 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
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| EU | £6701 | Year 1 |
| England | £6701 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £6701 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £6701 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £6701 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £6701 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £6701 | Year 1 |
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.
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