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Social Sciences

Course details
  • Higher National Diploma
  • 2 Years
  • Full-Time
  • September 2027
  • Undergraduate
Course location
Inverness
Awarded by:
Scottish Qualifications Authority trading as SQA

Course summary

If you're curious about how the world works and have an interest in areas like history, criminal justice, sociology, politics, or psychology, our HND Social Sciences is the ideal choice for you.

Taught by a team of experts, this course dives into the study of people and society, helping you understand how Scotland and the UK have developed into what they are today. You'll explore a range of subjects while also gaining valuable, transferable skills that are essential for the workplace or further study.

Throughout the course, you'll learn to handle complex information, interpret statistics, and develop your research, analytical, and communication skills. You’ll also enhance your critical thinking skills around social and cultural issues, equipping you to navigate real-world challenges, whether you're considering pursuing a degree or exploring a new career path.

Modules

Module outline

Year 1 - HNC

Year 1 of this course is HNC Social Sciences.

Year 2 - HND

You will study the following core modules:

  • An investigation into the social sciences

  • Criminology

  • Graded unit 2

  • Graded unit 3

  • History C

  • Politics C

  • Politics D

  • Psychology C

  • Sociology C

  • Sociology D

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:
243L
Institution code:
H49
Campus name:
Inverness

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 2
  • Top up

Open days

Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

Scottish HNC
Pass

HNC Social Sciences with 15 credits and C or above in graded unit

Year 1 of this course is the HNC Social Sciences.

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/hnd-social-sciences/

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)5.5Overall score of 5.5 with no element below 5.0
PTE Academic50Minimum score of 50
TOEFL (iBT)69Min 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

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 are welcome to apply to UHI Inverness campus only. Part-time study is not open to international students requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK.

For students living in the UK and assessed as international for fee status, please refer to our website fees page for further information.

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
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.

https://www.uhi.ac.uk/en/studying-at-uhi/how-much-will-it-cost/funding-your-studies/bursaries-and-scholarships/

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