HNC Engineering (Systems pathway) at University of the Highlands and Islands

Programme overview

The HNC Engineering (Systems pathway) gives technical training for technician roles in design, research, development and service support in engineering, manufacturing and consultancy. It covers both mechanical and electrical engineering. It can lead into year 2 of UHI's engineering degrees.

Duration: Full time: 1 year; part time: 2 years; part time modular: 17 weeks per module | Intake: September | Study mode: full-time / part-time | Location: Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom

What you will study

Core modules include engineering systems, engineering systems practical skills, engineering systems principles, mathematics tools for engineering, professional practice in engineering and engineering principles.

Career pathways

Engineering design, manufacturing, the oil and gas industry and the developing renewables sector. Progression to year 2 of the HND Engineering Systems, BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or Energy Engineering, or year 2 of the BEng (Hons) Engineering Systems (Graduate Apprenticeship) with employer support.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

One Scottish Higher at grade C or above in Physics, Technological Studies, Mathematics, Computer Science or another related science or technology subject including numeracy, plus one Scottish Higher at C or above in English, Modern Studies or another subject including communication; or the equivalent two A levels at grade D or above. Higher Application of Maths is not valid. Alternatively a National Certificate in Engineering or a related discipline, or equivalent. Applicants with other relevant qualifications or experience are considered individually. International applicants: IELTS Academic overall 5.5 with no component below 5.0 for online study; for on-campus study on a Student Route Visa, IELTS for UKVI (Academic) overall 5.5 with no component below 5.0, or LanguageCert International ESOL SELT B2 overall 60 with no component below 55.

Domestic applicants: GBP 1,285 a year (2026/27). Students normally domiciled in Scotland, full-time. Source

International applicants: GBP 9,460 a year (2026/27). International students, full-time, term-time address in Scotland. Source

Intake: September

Duration: Full time: 1 year; part time: 2 years; part time modular: 17 weeks per module

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