NQ Medical Administration (Level 5)
- Location
- Anniesland Campus
- SCQF Level
- 5
- Start Date
- 24 Aug 2026
- Qualification Type
- NQ
- Course Type
- Short Full-Time
- Duration
- 18 weeks (August to January)
Applications for Aug 2026 courses open Wednesday 14th January 2026
If you want to build strong office skills while preparing for a flexible administrative role in the NHS, the NQ Medical Administration course could be ideal for you. You’ll develop essential IT skills and learn specialist units that equip you for administrative work in hospitals, GP surgeries, and other healthcare settings. Alongside mastering medical terminology and managing medical records, you’ll strengthen your general office capabilities, preparing you for a wide range of administrative roles. It requires commitment and a willingness to learn, as you’ll be building skills that are highly valued in both healthcare and office environments.
What will I learn?
During NQ Medical Administration (Level 5) you'll learn:
- IT (word processing, databases, spreadsheet, presentation, email, internet)
- Medical audio (Anniesland only)
- Medical terminology
- Medical reception and records
- Word processing - medical
- Medical administration.
Assessment will be continuous, with a mix of practical and theoretical assessments.
This course also provides an opportunity for you to complete the much sought after NPA (National Progression Award) in Administration: Medical (Administrative Secretary) and Administration: Medical Receptionist.
Entry requirements (minimum)
- Three or more relevant courses at National 4 level or above, or equivalent (including English); or
- Relevant life/work experience will be considered
- ESOL entry requirements - Applicants whose first language is not English should have minimum ESOL National 5 or equivalent.
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
The College has strong employer links with a variety of NHS hospitals and GP surgeries.
Jobs and further study
- NQ Medical Administration (Level 6)
- HNC Administration and IT (with PDA in Medical Administration)
- HND Administration and Information Technology (with Human Resource Management)
- Those wishing to progress will require an exemplary academic reference
We have an excellent success rate of students finding employment within the NHS.
Take a look at the course progression map for business and finance 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:
- Made a direct offer (unconditional or conditional)
- 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.
You will be informed of the outcome of your application 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, 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– 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– 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 May or June depending on application date.
