HND Contemporary Art Practice at University of the Highlands and Islands

Programme overview

HND Contemporary Art Practice is a two-year, project-based and interdisciplinary course in which students respond to creative briefs across drawing, painting, sculpture, film and photography. It forms the first two years of the BA (Hons) Art and Contemporary Practices and is taught at Inverness, Perth and Portree.

Duration: 2 years full-time; 4 years part-time | Intake: September | Study mode: full-time / part-time | Location: Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom

What you will study

Year 1 is the HNC Contemporary Art Practice. Year 2 mandatory units are Contemporary art practice: project, Contemporary art: professional practice, Exhibition of contemporary artform and Contemporary art practice: graded unit 2, with options such as Site specific artwork, Mixed media, Observational drawing portfolio and Philosophical aesthetics: an introduction.

Career pathways

Gallery assistant, gallery technician, sculpture studio technician, printmaking technician, digital media technician, curatorial assistant, artist assistant and studio assistant; progression to BA (Hons) Art and Contemporary Practices.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Entry to year 1 (HNC Contemporary Art Practice): 1 Scottish Higher at grade C or above, or 1 A level at grade D or above, or NC Art and Design, or Foundation Apprenticeship Creative and Digital Media. Applicants without these are encouraged to apply; individual competence in art, design or lens-based skills is considered through a portfolio of work, and an interview is required. Direct entry to year 2: successful completion of the HNC Contemporary Art Practice (15 credits). Some optional units require PVG Scheme membership (Category 2 PVG course). English language for international applicants on a Student Route visa: IELTS for UKVI Academic 5.5 overall with no element below 5.0, or LanguageCert International ESOL SELT B2 with 60 overall and no element below 55, taken at a UKVI-approved test centre.

Domestic applicants: GBP 1,285 a year (2026/27). Scotland-domiciled students, full-time per year (Higher National award) Source

International applicants: GBP 9,460 a year (2026/27). International students, full-time per year (on-campus, Student Route visa eligible at Inverness or Perth) Source

Intake: September

Duration: 2 years full-time; 4 years part-time

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