HNC Social Science (Articulation partnership with the University of Glasgow)
- Location
- Langside Campus
- SCQF Level
- 7
- Start Date
- 28 Aug 2023
- Qualification Type
- HNC
- Course Type
- Full-Time
- Duration
- 1 Year (August to June)
This one-year HNC Social Science course has been designed in agreement with the University of Glasgow (UofG), to allow successful students to progress on to Year 2 of degree programmes within the University’s College of Social Sciences (please see below the courses you can study). The course is designed for people who wish to study a range of social science subjects up to and including the equivalent of first year university level, but in an alternative higher education setting.
What will I learn?
Through critical thinking about social and cultural issues the course seeks to develop your analytical, evaluative, problem solving and communication skills.
The HNC course provides in-depth study in the main social science subjects including:
- Politics
- Sociology
- History
- Psychology
- Geography
Entry requirements (minimum)
- Two SQA Higher Grade passes (minimum of one B and one C) or equivalent at one sitting. Subjects can be English and one Social subject or two Social subjects; OR
- NC Social Science Level 6 (and at least one Higher Grade pass in a Social Subject at B grade or above) plus an academic reference; OR
- If English is not your first language, you must be able to demonstrate English language skills equivalent to IELTS 6, or have ESOL Higher A or B or Cambridge CAE
N.B. This programme is a Widening Participation initiative, and in addition to the requirements above, applicants must also meet the following criteria:
- be Scottish domiciled, residing within a target postcode area (SIMD, deciles 1-4) You can check your postcode for eligibility on the University of Glasgow’s postcode checker , or
- be care-experienced, or
- be estranged from family, or
- have caring responsibilities
(N.B. Scottish domiciled applicants must have been ordinarily resident within Scotland for three years prior to the start of their course)
If you have any questions regarding the eligibility criteria, please contact the University of Glasgow’s Articulation Development Officer, Dan Keenan, directly: daniel.keenan@glasgow.ac.uk
- All successful applicants must attend an information session and complete a short written task.
Please note that due to the high number of applicants not all candidates who meet the minimum entry will be selected to attend an information session.
If you do not meet the entry criteria for your chosen course, you may be offered an alternative course in the same subject area.
Employer and industry links
This course provides access to higher education degrees. These degrees enhance employment prospects in a wide range of areas including government, journalism, education, social services, the voluntary sector, and NGOs.
Articulation Routes
Second year entry to the University of Glasgow, College of Social Sciences to study:
- Politics
- Sociology
- Economic and social history
- Central and east european studies
- Social and public policy, or
- Quantitative methods
During the HNC students will be enrolled as University of Glasgow students, benefitting from additional sessions at the university’s main campus.
A successful candidate is one who receives a positive reference, achieves an 'A' in the Graded Unit, and successfully completes all elements run by the University of Glasgow.
Jobs and further study
If you are not successful in articulating from the HNC, you may be able to stay on and complete an HND Social Sciences and then apply to:
- 1st year entry / 2nd year entry at the University of Glasgow
- 1st Year entry at University of Strathclyde
- 3rd year entry at Glasgow Caledonian University (please note Glasgow Caledonian University accept 2nd year entry with an HNC and an 'A' in the Graded Unit)
- 2nd year entry at University of the West of Scotland and Stirling University depending on Graded Unit results and references.
- BA Combined Social Science with the Open University
Please note that these alternate progression routes may change and it is your responsibility to check with each individual institution.
Making an application
For courses starting in August, you can make up to two applications.
Applications are made to a course and a first choice of campus. If the course is oversubscribed at your first choice you will be automatically considered for alternative sites and may be made an offer without a further application.
I've applied — what happens next?
You will receive an automated email confirming that we have received your application and will be in contact as per the following stages:
Staff will read and check the application form and if you meet the eligibility criteria, have the relevant qualifications and a good personal statement which explains your interest in Social Sciences, you will be invited to attend a group information session.
- At the session, you will be given a presentation giving you more information and detail about the HNC course and the College
- You will have the opportunity to ask questions
- You will be asked to do a short written task
The next stage will be to send in to nleonard@glasgowclyde.ac.uk
- relevant SQA qualifications, which will be checked by staff
The information session
- You may have a one-to-one interview with a member of the Social Sciences team (who will be happy to answer any questions you may have).
At the end of the selection process, the team will take the following into consideration when making a final decision:
- Academic grades
- Personal statement
- Written task
Information sessions will take usually place between February and June 2023.
You will be informed of the outcome of your interview by email, normally within 14 working days.
You will either receive:
- An Unconditional offer - you have met the entry requirements and a place is yours
- A conditional offer- you will have a place providing you meet the conditions stated in your offer e.g. exam results. As soon as you receive your results in August you must advise the college. Your offer will then be changed to an unconditional offer.
- Waiting list – Unfortunately the course is full, but if any spaces become available you will be contacted, usually around the course start date.
- Unsuccessful – You have not met the entry requirements and are advised to contact Student Services to discuss alternative options.
Once you have received an offer you must reply and accept this offer within 10 working days or risk losing your place.
If a place is unavailable at your campus of first choice, you may be offered a place at one of our other campuses.
Once you have accepted your offer, you will be sent further details, such as information about student funding and an induction date, this is normally around July.
If your offer is conditional, you must provide the evidence (qualifications, references, other details) as soon as these are available to you.
As soon as you accept an unconditional or conditional offer you must apply to SAAS, otherwise you may be required to pay a fee for the course.