HNC Social Sciences at University of the Highlands and Islands

Programme overview

The HNC Social Sciences develops critical thinking and complex problem-solving through the study of social, political and psychological questions. It is delivered through a blend of face-to-face classes and online learning, depending on location, and can also be studied fully online in your own time through UHI Perth. The full 15-credit HNC allows progression to the second year of most UHI Humanities and Gaelic degrees, such as BA (Hons) Social Sciences.

Duration: 1 year full-time; 2 years part-time | Intake: September | Study mode: full-time / part-time | Location: Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom

What you will study

Mandatory units are Social sciences: research and methodology, Social sciences: graded unit 1, Psychology A, Sociology A and Sociology B. Option units may include Politics A and B, Psychology B, History A and B, Philosophy A and Criminology, depending on study location.

Career pathways

The HNC opens opportunities in the public, private and voluntary sectors, including roles such as researcher, teacher, recruitment consultant, legal professional, town planner, social worker and local or national politics. Graduates can progress to HND Social Sciences, most UHI Humanities and Gaelic degrees, or BSc (Hons) Psychology with the required psychology units.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

1 Scottish Higher at grade C or above from English, History, Modern Studies, Politics, Sociology, Psychology, Geography or Higher ESOL, OR 1 A level at grade D or above, preferably in English or a social science. Applicants without the standard entry qualifications are encouraged to apply. An interview may be required and applicants may be asked to demonstrate discursive writing skills. Category 2 PVG course. Access route: NC, NQ or Access course in a related subject. English language for international applicants studying on campus on a Student Route visa (Inverness only, full-time): IELTS for UKVI Academic overall 5.5 with no element below 5.0, or LanguageCert International ESOL SELT B2 overall 60 with no element below 55.

Domestic applicants: GBP 1,285 a year (2026/27). Full-time per year. Scotland-domiciled students with a Scottish term-time address (includes EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status and EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status) Source

International applicants: GBP 9,460 a year (2026/27). Full-time per year, students not normally resident in the UK (including EU/EEA/Swiss nationals without settled or pre-settled status) with a term-time address in Scotland. Part-time study is not open to those needing a Student Route visa. Source

Intake: September

Duration: 1 year full-time; 2 years part-time

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