Applied Science – Life Science (GU): HNC

Qualification

HNC

Study Mode

Full Time, Part Time

Duration

1 Year - 2-3 Days p/w

Start date

Aug 2025

Campus

Springburn

Applications open January 2025

Course overview

Are you interested in a rewarding career in applied science with direct entry to prestigious degree programmes at Glasgow University? Then this may be the course for you with potential progression to 2nd year of a life sciences degree at the University of Glasgow.

You will be part of a class who also have a keen interest in life sciences, helping you foster and develop your knowledge and understanding with other like-minded people.

Students that complete the HNC successfully have the option of progressing on to the biological science course of their choice at the University of Glasgow. This provides around 40 different choices in the life sciences area. Throughout the year you will complete workshops at the university. You will familiarise yourself with the University and how it works as well as get to know the teaching and support staff.

The HNC Applied Science programme is a one-year articulation programme covering 15 credits from the HNC Applied Science Framework. Learners on the programme will complete their work between college and the university all in preparation for second year entry. The programme is designed to give you a broad overview of the applied sciences area and covers subjects such as microbiology, cell biology, human body, chemistry, biochemistry, maths and statistics.

This course will provide the fundamental skills and qualifications to progress to study a life sciences degree at university from 2nd year, with experience of university setting and a smaller college class setting.

The course is full time, intensive, but highly rewarding. It is a challenging, yet supportive, environment in which to develop your scientific theory and understanding, along with the practical skills you need to support this theory. We will provide you with a range of online and in class delivery to maximise your learning experience.

What you will learn

You will build up an excellent understanding of a broad range of scientific concepts and skills, including:

Cell Biology
Chemistry
Anatomy and physiology
Microbiology
Mathematics
Biochemistry
Dissertation writing

You will also learn to perform a vast range of scientific techniques essential for industry and academia.

Entry requirements

1 higher at grade C from either Chemistry or Biology.
National 5 (or equivalent) - Biology, Chemistry, maths and English
Students that have successfully completed all units on a NQ Applied Science L6 course would also meet the entry requirements.

For this course, if English is not your first language

you need to have SQA ESOL Higher (or equivalent, click here to see equivalent qualifications)

If you do not have a formal ESOL qualification but your language skills meet this level, you should apply for your course and then contact our Admissions team to organise an internal language assessment here at the College.

This Articulation Programme is a Widening Participation initiative, and applicants must meet one of the following criteria to be eligible:

Be Scottish Domiciled, residing in an SIMD decile 1-4 postcode area (applicants can check their eligibility on the University of Glasgow’s postcode checker)
Be care-experienced
Be estranged and living without family support
Have caring responsibilities

For any questions regarding the eligibility criteria, please contact the University of Glasgow’s Widening Participation Articulation Officer: daniel.keenan@glasgow.ac.uk.

Entry to the course will be based upon a competitive review of the applications.

Applicants should now provide detailed information on relevant life, education and employment experience within their personal statement, in addition to demonstrating a genuine interest in the subject.

Tell us what experience you have in the subject already? What about the subject interests you? What skills do you have that will make you a good candidate for the course? Give examples. If your personal statement is missing this crucial information it is likely your application will be rejected and you will be unsuccessful.

When you start the course we will review your academic understanding and skills to ensure you are placed on the correct programme. If you need support in particular area/s we may move you to an alternative pathway to allow you the best possible chance of success.

Career Opportunities

You will be able to apply for a variety of technical jobs within the science industry. These include production technician, medical laboratory assistant, school technician and industrial science technician

Future prospects

Successful completion of all units on this course, with an A for graded unit (dissertation), and successful completion of all elements run by the University of Glasgow (UofG) will allow progression on to second year of a Life Sciences degree programme at UofG.

This is an articulation agreement with The University of Glasgow and you have a guaranteed place on any of the University’s Life Science degrees if conditions are met.

Please note that we do not guarantee entry to any degree programmes outwith the life sciences school, this is fully dependent on the universities entry requirements and you