Digital Design and Web Development HNC
Course code 107I
What is special about this course?
The HNC Digital Design and Web Development will give you professional knowledge in the development of interactive and digital media products. It will provide you with an up-to-date qualification within an ever-changing industry.
With digital media becoming an essential aspect of marketing and communications, having the skills in a wide area of disciplines will help you build your career.
Develop a wide range of transferable skills in a number of key disciplines including, graphic design, 2D animation, web design, application and games development, audio/video production, and programming.
Special features
- Gain a solid foundation in a number of key technical areas including web design, graphic design, digital content production, human computer interaction technologies and web design and development
- Learn through a mix of practical based exercises and lectures from a range of industry and academic professional using the latest software
- Opportunity to think creatively in the design and production of digital/interactive products
- Enhance your confidence and ability to enter a workplace environment or to work freelance
Accommodation
We offer modern student accommodation at a number of our locations.
Entry requirements
- 1 Scottish Higher at grade C or above OR
- 1 A level at grade D or above OR
- NC Computing with Digital Media SCQF level 6 OR
- Foundation Apprenticeship Creative and Digital Media
- Prospective students without the standard entry requirements are encouraged to apply and will be considered on an individual basis
- You may be required to attend an interview
Year 1 - HNC
Core units include:
- Developing software: introduction
- System development: user-centred design
- Team working in computing
- Digital design and web development: graded unit 1
- Digital graphics fundamentals
- User interface design
- Web technologies 1: HTML and CSS
Option units may include:
- Graphic design
- Manage database systems using SQL
- Digital media: video
- Digital media: bitmap techniques
- Compositing and motion graphics
- Web development: content management systems (CMS)
Option units available may vary depending on study location, for more information contact your chosen campus
How will I study my course?
- Full-time
- Part-time (structured)
- Part-time (unstructured)
- Moray students will study this course in-person, on campus
- All other students will study online with scheduled sessions and tutorials
- Online study will be done via the university's virtual learning environment (VLE), with support from your tutors
- Moray students will take part in a mandatory in-person induction in Moray in the August prior to year 1 of your course
- All other students will take part in a mandatory online induction in the August prior to year 1 of your course
How long will my course last?
- Full-time: 1 year @ approx 40 hours per week
- Part-time: 2 years @ approx 20 hours per week
- Part-time modular: 16 weeks @ 2 hours per week per module
Where can I study my course?
- Argyll - September start only
- Moray - On campus only
- North, West and Hebrides
- Shetland
Start date
- September
- January (part-time only)
Fees
For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
This includes
- EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
- EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
- EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
| Higher National Awards (HNC, HND) | 2024-25 | 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time per year | £1,285 | £1,285 |
| Part-time (per HN credit) | £86 | £86 |
Rest of UK students
For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland, including Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) and with a term time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
| Higher National Awards (HNC, HND) | 2024-25 | 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time per year | £7,110 | £7,440 |
| Part-time (per HN credit) | £474 | £496 |
Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.
There are a number of funding options available to UK students to help you pay for your studies and your cost of living while studying.
International students
For students who do not normally reside in the UK, including EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled or pre-settled status in the UK, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
| Higher National Awards (HNC, HND) | 2024-25 | 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time per year | £8,775 | £8,925 |
| Part-time (per HN credit) | £585 | £595 |
Part-time study is not open to international student requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK.
Funding
UHI has a number of scholarships, bursaries, awards, and discretionary fund opportunities available to new and current students. Please use the A-Z of funds or use the filter to see which ones may be relevant to you. All students are welcome to apply.
Further information on funding your studies is also available, please see the attached link or contact the relevant UHI partner.
What can I do on completion of my course?
The HNC Digital Design and Web Development has been designed to keep pace with the latest developments in industry, enabling students to learn the latest techniques using software such a Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, App Inventor, 3DS Max, and Unity.
On successful completion, you may wish to seek immediate employment in the digital media industry or progress to further study.
Can I progress into further study?
On successful completion of the HNC, you may be able to progress to the second year of our BSc (Hons) Interactive Media.
Is there more information available online?
You can use the above QR code to connect directly to the course details.
Studying opened new doors for me and it could for you too. Choose a subject that genuinely excites you and just go for it – university is a great way to meet like-minded people, improve your self-confidence, and gain skills you had no idea existed!
One of the great things about UHI is that classes are smaller than other universities. This has meant more one-to-one time with my lecturers who we're more than happy to sit down and really walk you through a problem. I think that’s a fantastic approach and one that goes a long way towards fostering a love of the field itself. There was a real sense of camaraderie among us. If one person was struggling, we’d all work together to try and come up with a solution. It was just such a positive atmosphere and I imagine that’s a level of support you don’t get at larger universities.
Ian studied Computing at UHI.
Apply for Digital Design and Web Development HNC
We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.