- Location
- Langside Campus
- SCQF Level
- 8
- Start Date
- 25 Aug 2025
- Qualification Type
- HND
- Course Type
- Full-Time
- Duration
- 2 Years (August to June)
The Life Science and Industrial Biotechnology sector is growing rapidly, and this two-year HDN Industrial Biotechnology course provides the skills and knowledge to be a part of it. Designed collaboratively by research companies including GSK, Ingenza, Diageo and IBioIC, it combines a strong focus on microbiology and molecular biology with the chemistry and analytical skills that are currently sought after in the industry.
It covers a wide spectrum of subjects to equip you with a broad understanding of biology, chemistry and process engineering in an industrial biotechnology context, and builds upon your knowledge of Higher Biology and Chemistry to develop deep scientific knowledge and practical skills for your future.
What will I learn?
During HND Industrial Biotechnology you'll study:
Year 1 includes:
- Biotechnology: An introduction
- Microbiology
- DNA and genetics
- Chemistry
- Laboratory skills for science industries
Year 2 includes:
- Research project
- Aromatic chemistry
- Base-catalysed and organometallic chemistry
- Animal and plant cell culture
- Chemical engineering principles
- Protein structure and function
- DNA molecular techniques
- Mircobiological techniques
Entry requirements (minimum)
- Minimum one Higher at Grade C in either Chemistry or Biology/Human Biology plus National 5 at Grade A/B in Maths and English. A Foundation Apprenticeship in Science Technologies will also be considered in place of Higher Chemistry; OR
- NQ/NC (Level 6) Applied Science course; OR
- SWAP Access to Biological and Chemical Sciences; OR
- SWAP Access to Health and Biological Sciences
- 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
- We will consider your application for direct entry into the second year of this course if you have a relevant 15-credit HNC, please provide details of your HNC including a list of the completed units in your application.
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.
Employer and industry links
This course has been designed collaboratively by research companies (including GSK, Ingenza, Diageo) and IBioIC (Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre). Guest lecturers from industry, laboratory visits, and opportunities to meet with and discuss career options with future employers are therefore integral to and are an important feature of, this course.
There are opportunities to complete the course as part of a Technical Apprenticeship while carrying out paid work in industry.
Find out more about our past students experiences on the Technical Apprenticeship.
All HND Industrial Biotechnology students have enjoyed the opportunity to attend the UK's largest Industrial Biotechnology Annual conference, hear about the latest research, and meet with industry employers.
Articulation Routes
Glasgow Clyde College science department has formal articulation agreements with the following universities which allow you to progress directly into 3rd year of the degrees listed upon successful completion of the HND Biological Science.
Glasgow Caledonian University
- BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science
- BSc (Hons Biomedical Science P/T
- BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences
- BSc (Hons) Food Science
- BSc (Hons) Pharmacology
University of Strathclyde - Glasgow
- BSc(Hons) Biochemistry and Microbiology
- BSc(Hons) Immunology and Microbiology
- BSc(Hons) Pharmacology and Microbiology
- BSc(Hons) Microbiology
University of the West of Scotland
- BSc (Hons) Applied Bioscience
- BSc (Hons) Applied Bioscience with Forensic Investigation
- BSc (Hons) Applied Bioscience and Zoology
Robert Gordon University
- BSc (Hons) Applied Bioscience
- BSc (Hons) Forensic and Analytical Science
Certain progression criteria apply and these will be shared with students when applying to university.
Jobs and further study
Our previous students have gone onto further education and now work in a range of roles in the biotechnology, biomedical, pharmaceutical, and chemistry industries.
You will have the potential to move directly into employment in the industrial biotechnology sector in careers such as a science laboratory technician, research scientist, process operator and fermentation scientist. Previous and current Industrial Biotechnology students are now employed by companies such as GSK, Antibody Analytics and Merck.
In addition, second or third-year entry to relevant university degree programmes such as biotechnology, immunology, biochemistry, microbiology, applied bioscience, biomedical science and chemistry are also possible.
Some students are currently completing the HND while in paid employment in biotechnology companies as part of a Technical Apprenticeship in scientific technologies.
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 course 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 interview, 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.