Coming from college
Where can your HNC and HND take you?
Are you studying on a Higher National Certificate (HNC), Higher National Diploma (HND), or other suitable qualification at college or are you already a UHI student? Did you know these qualifications can provide you with a route forward to studying for a degree?
College can be a useful pathway to university particularly if you haven’t met the initial degree course entry requirements or you are perhaps returning to education after a break. UHI has a range of opportunities for college students to progress on to our degree programmes, through formal agreements which are often referred to as 'articulation agreements' and articulation is simply when a student enters a degree at year 2 or 3 by using an HNC (year 2) or HND (year 3) which they have completed at college first.
Using your HNC or HND for advanced entry into years 2 or 3 helps students to complete a 4-year undergraduate honours degree without 'wasting' any time or Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) funding. In some cases you may have to meet course-specific requirements, such as taking specified options on your HN programme, and some courses may require presentation of a portfolio or an interview.
Taking that next step to university is exciting, but we understand it can be daunting, particularly if you are moving to us from a different area. We have many years of experience in helping students transition from college to university and have a range of support services in place should you need it.
Already studying at UHI
Already studying at UHI
If you are studying with us on one of our many HNC and HND courses then you can progress onto a degree course with us. Chat with your programme leader for further information.
Restrictions and other options
When applying you may make use of our Recognition of Prior Learning process to apply based on your HN qualification for entry to year 2 or 3 of one of our degrees. Simply complete your application form stating the year of entry you are requesting. We can usually offer year 2 entry for an HNC, or year 3 entry for an HND if your HN qualification and your new degree course are in similar subject areas. Your programme leader will get in touch for evidence of previous learning, usually a certificate and transcript.
A number of HN qualifications have already been assessed for entry to degree courses.
Entry to year 2 of our degrees requires an HNC with 120 credits. Please note if you have a 96 credit HNC then you may still be able to articulate to year 2 by taking bridging units/RPL (assessment of other formal or informal learning you may have completed). Entry to year 3 requires an HND with 240 credits.
Additionally some HNC/D courses require bridging study to ensure you have certain specialist content. Your programme leader will advise you when you apply.
At a college where UHI has an articulation agreement
At a college where UHI has an articulation agreement
UHI has a range of opportunities for college students to progress on to UHI degree programmes, through formal agreements with the colleges below. These are often referred to as 'articulation agreements' and articulation is simply when a student enters a degree at year 2 or 3 by using an HNC (year 2) or HND (year 3) which they have completed at college first.
This helps students to complete a 4-year undergraduate honours degree by going to college then university. By using advanced entry, it takes the same amount of time to achieve a degree, which means you don't 'waste' any time or SAAS funding by studying at college first.
In some cases you may have to meet course-specific requirements, such as taking specified options on your HN programme, and some courses may require presentation of a portfolio or an interview with a UHI tutor. Specific requirements are listed beside the course list for each college.
Please note, even where we have a formal agreement in place, this does not guarantee any student a place on any degree at UHI, but we strongly encourage college students to apply. You should apply for your degree course through UCAS in the usual way and our admissions team will decide on which students are made offers.
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At any college
At any college
UHI has an articulation agreement with the SQA which covers all suitable HNC and HND qualifications. UHI welcomes applications from all students and former students on HNC and HND courses for degree entry (e.g. year 1, 2 or 3), even where a formal agreement is not in place. Applications are considered on a case-by-case basis.
For further information please contact our course information line or call us on 01463 279190.
OTHM qualifications students
OTHM qualifications students
OTHM is a UK based Awarding Organisation regulated by Ofqual (Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulation). Students studying suitable OTHM qualifications may apply to UHI
Successful completion will meet the university’s standard academic entry requirements. However, each applicant will be subject to individual assessment and other entry requirements which may affect university entry. These articulation routes have been agreed with OTHM.