- Location
- Langside Campus
- SCQF Level
- 7
- Start Date
- 25 Aug 2025
- Qualification Type
- HNC
- Course Type
- Full-Time
- Duration
- 1 Year (August to June)
This course is aimed at recent school leavers who’d like to go to university to study a chemistry related degree, and have already studied chemistry to Higher/Advanced Higher level. You’ll explore the three fundamental branches of chemistry: physical, organic and inorganic, as well as more specialised organic chemistry subjects. Chemical theory is combined with practical skills development using modern analytical instruments in our purpose built labs. You’ll also develop a good working knowledge of biotechnology and microbiology.
What will I learn?
During HNC Applied Science - Chemistry route, you'll study:
- Fundamental chemistry
- Organic chemistry
- Inorganic chemistry
- Physical chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Aromatic and base catalysed chemistry (Level 8)
- Mathematics and statistics
- Laboratory skills
- Microbiology
- Biotechnology
- Graded Unit
Entry requirements (minimum)
- Minimum of Higher (Grade C) Chemistry, PLUS National 5 (Grade A/B in Biology or Physics, Maths and English. Note: A Foundation Apprenticeship in Scientific Technologies will be considered in place of Higher Chemistry; OR
- NQ/NC Applied Science (Level 6)
- Higher ESOL (Grade A/B) will be required for any applicants whose first language is not English
- A suitable reference may be requested but will not be required as standard
- We will also consider your application if you have relevant laboratory experience but no formal qualifications – please contact us to discuss by clicking Enquire now
Entry requirement equivalency table
- If you do not meet the entry criteria for your chosen course, you may be offered an alternative course in the same subject area.
Jobs and further study
Our previous students have gone on to further education and now work in a range of roles in the biotechnology, biomedical, pharmaceutical, and chemistry industries.
Successful completion of the course allows for progression to HND Industrial Biotechnology at Glasgow Clyde College.
Successfully completing the HNC course will also allow for progression to a variety of chemistry, forensic science and analytical degrees at local universities.
Take a look at the course progression map for science courses.
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?
When you apply
You will receive an automated email confirming that we have received your application (remember to check your SPAM folder).
Your application will be reviewed by the admissions team and you will either be:
- Invited to attend an information session. At the information session you will meet lecturers and find out more about the course and support services at the College. You are required to attend the information session before any offer will be made. Information sessions will be held regularly between February and June.
- Advised that your application is unsuccessful – you have not met the entry requirements for this course and are advised to contact the College Student Advice Centres to discuss alternative options which may be available to you.
- We aim not to reject an application and if you don’t meet the entry requirements you may be referred to a different course or level.
If you are invited to an information session, you will be informed of the outcome of your interview by email within 14 working days. The outcome will be one of the following:
- Unconditional offer of a place – you have met all the entry requirements and your place is guaranteed. You will be required to accept this offer to secure your place.
- Conditional offer of a place – your place is secured pending you meeting the entry requirements. This may mean achieving school or college qualifications which you may not be able to provide to us yet. You will be required to accept this offer to secure your conditional place. Once your conditions are met this will change to an unconditional offer of a place which you must accept before you can enrol on the course.
- Waiting list – you have met all entry requirements, and have been interviewed however, the course is now full so you have been placed on a waiting list. If any spaces become available you may be contacted, usually around the course start date. We would advise that you also consider other application options.
- Reserve list – following your interview, you have unfortunately not been successful in this round of recruitment. We have placed your name on a Reserve list and your application may be reconsidered at a later date. This could happen any time up to the start date of the course but it is very possible that you will not be offered a place. We would advise that you also consider other application options.
- Unsuccessful – your interview has been unsuccessful. You may be offered a place on a course at a different level, or advised to contact the College Student Advice Centres to discuss alternative options which may be available to you.
Once an offer is received, you must reply within 14 working days or risk losing your place, as the system will automatically decline your offer after 14 days.
Once you have accepted your offer, you will be sent out instructions about student funding, joining instructions and induction date. This will normally be sent out in June/July.