Elevate your future with our HNC Schools Pathway

Are you a forward-thinking 6th-year student eager to fast-track your journey to success? Dive into the world of endless possibilities with our High National Certificate (HNC) Schools Pathway.

Gain a competitive edge by embarking on your higher education journey now! This is an exciting opportunity for individuals to undertake the first year of a degree while still at school. An HNC not only provides a solid foundation for your future degree but also equips you with practical skills sought after by employers in today's dynamic job market.

Our curriculum is designed to cultivate real-world skills demanded by industries. From project management to critical thinking, you'll be a step ahead, ready to tackle challenges and contribute meaningfully from day one.

Upon successfully attaining and HNC, individuals have a guaranteed place on a Higher National Degree (HND) course at SCQF Level 8 at New College Lanarkshire (NCL), which is the equivalent to the second year of a degree programme.

Those who successfully complete the HND year are guaranteed a place in a third-year degree course at the University of the West of Scotland, leading ton honours degree and entry into employment ahead of their peers.

Higher National Certificates - SCQF Level 7

Course outline

This HNC course is at SCQF level 7 and is designed to give you the practical skills and knowledge to become a successful draughtsperson/designer in the industry of your choosing. Some of the skills you will develop include:

2D draughting to British International standards
Knowledge of the design process working through live team projects
3D software packages used in the engineering, manufacturing and construction industries
3D Printing and scanning technologies and visualisation software

Course content

The knowledge and skills you will develop will focus on:

Autodesk Inventor
Fusion (Cloud Based CAD)
Revit
AutoCAD
Engineering draughting principles
Architectural draughting principles
Construction detailing
Product Design process
3D modelling
3D printing and scanning
Visualisation and rendering
Microsoft Office suite

You will be given the opportunity to showcase your skills and knowledge as you study the HNC with the completion of an end of year design project.

Opportunities are also available to work on real-life projects and take on vendor qualifications such as Autodesk Certified User and professional exams.

Entry requirements

One Higher.

It would also be advantageous to have Nat 5 Design for Manufacture or Graphic Communications.

Progression

HND at New College Lanarkshire before moving on to a guaranteed 3rd year degree place at UWS.

Course outline

This SCQF level 7 HNC course is designed to give you the practical skills and knowledge to become a successful manager in the industry of your choice. Some of the skills you will develop include:

Construction materials and specifications
Building measurement and cost studies
Building science
Construction technology: Industrial/commercial superstructure
Building services: An introduction
2D CAD (Computer Aided Design)
Health and safety in construction

Course content

The knowledge and skills you will develop will focus on:

Standard forms of construction contracts
Construction Site Surveying
Construction Planning
Building Services in Large Buildings
Site Administration
Construction Technology: Substructure
Mathematics for the Built Environment
Structural Mechanics

As part of the course, you will showcase your skills and knowledge gained with the completion of an end of year graded unit project.

Throughout your studies, you will be given the opportunity to work on real life projects and undertake additional bolt-on qualifications in Health and Safety and the Site Managers Training Scheme award.

Entry requirements

One Higher. It would also be advantageous to have Nat 5 Graphic Communications or Design Manufacture.

Progression

HND at New College Lanarkshire before moving on to a guaranteed 3rd year degree place at UWS.

Course outline

This SCQF level 7 HNC will be delivered over two afternoons online and one day a week on campus. It is designed to give you the practical skills and knowledge to become a successful cyber security specialist in the area of your choice. Some of the skills you will develop include:

Operating system configuration
Computer networking
Ethical hacking
Digital forensics
Data security
Coding
Team working
Legal and ethical implications

Course content

The knowledge and skills you will develop will focus on:

Relevant contemporary cyber security tools
Virtualisation
Legal and ethical issues
Microsoft Office suite
Operating system configuration
Computer networking
Ethical hacking
Digital forensics
Data security
Coding
Team working

You will be given the opportunity to take on vendor qualifications such as CISCO, Microsoft and CompTIA professional exams. These additional, highly sought-after qualifications will enhance your skills and boost your employability.

Entry requirements

Working towards relevant National Qualifications (Computer Science, Maths, Sciences) or equivalent NPAs at Levels 5 or 6 and/or recommendation from pupil support teacher.

Progression

HND at New College Lanarkshire before moving on to a guaranteed 3rd year degree place at UWS.

Course outline

Suitable for those interested in a career as a carer, social worker, addiction worker, team leader or in nursing, this SCQF level 7 HNC will be delivered over two afternoons online and one day a week on campus. It can help you gain employment in several fields including Mental Health Nursing, Learning Disability Nursing and Adult Nursing as well as Social Work and a host of other social services opportunities.

The course is a combination of taught units and workplace experience, and as such it is very much “hands-on.”

Course content

The course includes the mandatory units of the SVQ Level 3 Social Services and Health Care.

Other units delivered include:

Care in contemporary society
Health, wellbeing and safeguarding
Lifespan development: Theoretical approaches
Leadership starts with me
Graded unit

Entry requirements

Working towards relevant National Qualifications or Equivalent NPAs at Levels 5 or 6 and/or recommendation from pupil support teacher.

Progression

HND at New College Lanarkshire before moving on to a guaranteed 3rd year degree place at UWS.

Talk with a member of our team

If you reside in North Lanarkshire and are keen on pursuing a HNC qualification while at school, please email North Lanarkshire Council.