What qualifications do I need?
Entry qualifications for each course are listed on the relevant course page.
If you do not have the standard entry requirements for your preferred course, we will still welcome your application, and will take into consideration your previous work and life experience, and any previous qualifications you may have gained.
Widening access
Widening access
UHI is committed to widening access to higher education and encourages applications from prospective students who do not have formal entry qualifications. We are also committed to the principle of recognising prior learning and that learning, wherever it occurs, provided it can be assessed may be recognised and credit awarded and / or entry to a formal programme of study allowed.
Credit transfer scheme
Credit transfer scheme
If you have undertaken any courses or training programmes you may be able to transfer credits gained in these courses to count towards a University of the Highlands and Islands qualification, even if you didn't study with UHI in the first place.
Work experience
Work experience
We also award credit for learning derived from work and life experience through our recognition of prior learning (RPL) or accreditation of prior experiential learning (APEL) schemes. This might be for knowledge and skills acquired in the workplace or other situations, where no formal qualification has been gained.
If you feel that you qualify for credit through any of these schemes, contact the admissions office at your chosen campus or research centre.
Help - I've no experience of after-school learning!
Help - I've no experience of after-school learning!
If you don't have any experience of studying after school and would like to come back into education at your own pace, we offer access courses to help with this.
And if you are unable to travel to one of our main campuses, an access to degree study module is available, which is particularly suited if you want to study from home or from your local learning centre. This module covers skills needed for higher education study and provides an introduction to technology for those who are unsure about learning in this way. For more details on these access courses, contact the information line.
Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF)
Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF)
The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) allows you to earn credit as you go through your course and add to it at a later date. You can take a break from studying whenever you need - ScotCATS allows you to take your credit with you and to bring it back again when you return to study, even if you are returning to a different institution.
How it works:
- Each course is made up of modules normally worth 15 credits.
- One credit represents 10 hours of notional student learning.
- After a typical full-time student year, you will have accumulated 120 credits.
- Exit your course after 120 credits and you could qualify for a CertHE.
- Or continue your study and qualify for a DipHE after 240 credits.