Progression routes
If you don't yet meet the entry requirements to undergraduate study, UHI has many options to help you progress.
National Certificate (NC) and National Qualification (NQ)
Almost all UHI campuses have a wide selection of NC (National Certificate) and NQ (National Qualification) courses. These courses can help you gain access to degree studies. Most will require one year of study.
Your options: NC-NQ
Your options: NC-NQ
Our campuses host a number of NC and NQ courses, to get started, select your closest campus to see the options on your doorstep.
Access courses
If you have been away from study for some time, or don’t have the usual entry requirements for a HN or degree, we have a range of access courses for you to choose from. Access courses introduce you to higher education study and provide you with the skills to successfully complete a HN or degree qualification.
Your options: access courses
Your options: access courses
Our campuses host a number of access courses, to get started, select your closest campus to see the options on your doorstep.
SWAP East Access Courses
SWAP East works with partner colleges in the east of Scotland to run a range of one-year access to degree programmes for adult learners.
The programmes are designed to provide a supportive environment for adults returning to education. You don't usually need any formal entry qualifications. A SWAP qualification which will then allow an application to a suitable degree course at UHI.
Your options: SWAP East and West
Your options: SWAP East and West
Details of SWAP access courses, and links to UHI degree courses is available from SWAP East. Most of our degree programmes will allow entry from suitable SWAP East access courses. We additionally accept applications from students of SWAP West. Although we do not pre - assess SWAP West courses for entry to our degrees, all SWAP students are welcome to apply to any of our degrees.
Further information is available from: Scottish Wider Access Programme - East.
Please note that completion of a SWAP course does not guarantee entry to one of our degree courses. However, it does provide you with a recognised entry qualification.
HNC and HND
HNC and HND courses are Higher National qualifications awarded by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and often form the first part of a degree.
Your options: HNC and HND
Your options: HNC and HND
If you want to take the first steps into studying whilst keeping your career options open, an HNC or HND course is ideal:
- You’ll gain a valuable qualification upon completion
- You can top up your qualification to a degree – in fact, an HNC or HND can be a fast-track option to get into the second or third year of a degree. This is called articulation
- Employers value them – these courses are specifically designed to lead into careers, giving you both the theoretical knowledge and practical skills that employers are looking for
- You can study many of our courses without moving away from your local area, with knowledgeable staff to support you all the way at your local campus