What you will get
HNC Healthcare Practice (SCQF Level 7)
Why take this course?
The purpose of this course is to prepare our future healthcare professionals to thrive within today’s health and social care services. You will be provided with the skills, knowledge and critical ability to provide person-centred care.
You will mainly work with people over the age of 16. Your role will involve working with individuals, families and communities to promote health and wellbeing, prevent illness and enable people to maintain and improve their physical and mental health.
You will be expected to support individuals through all stages of the life cycle including end-of-life and palliative care.
This course is for those intending to apply for Year 1 of a Paramedic Practice, Midwifery or Children and Young People Nursing degree on completing the course.
The HNC Healthcare Practice: Nursing DegreeLink Route is for those wishing to articulate into Year 2 of an Adult or Mental Health Nursing degree at RGU, or a Learning Disabilities Nursing degree at Edinburgh Napier University after the course.
What you will experience
- Clinical Skills for Care Practitioners: Clinical skills such as basic observations, injection techniques and wound care which prepares you for practical work on placement
- Graded Unit: A project, in the form of an investigation, which is used to assess the application of all your knowledge and skills gained during your HNC
- Human Body in Health and Illness: Gives you an understanding of the human body and how it functions
- Mental Health and Mental Illness: Investigates the prevalence of mental health and gain an understanding of different types of illness
- Professional Standards for Care Practice: Insight into your values and investigates NMC codes
- Safe Working Practice for Care: Examines legislation and relevance in nursing
- Sociology and Health in Scotland: Explores society’s impact on health decisions people make and learn about sociological theories
- Therapeutic Relationships: Helps you understand the importance of communication and the link between your client and psychological theory
- Understanding Personal and Professional Development: Enables you to be more reflective and resilient.
Placements
There is a large placement element to this course and you must be able to commit to shift work.
As a NESCol student, you will have to complete 400 hours of placement practice. This may include shift work. Please note there will be no specific Paramedic Practice, Children or Midwifery placements. You will be placed in a healthcare placement in a hospital or community setting working mainly with adults. This is to provide you with the experience required for entry to Year 1 of your chosen degree.
Key Facts
Everything you need to know before applying to this course.
How do I pay for this course?
If you are studying a full-time advanced course (HNC, HND or above), you may be entitled to funding.
How to apply to NESCol
You can apply for a full-time course online or using a paper form.
Open Days
Open Days are a great way to find out more about this course and what it’s like to study at NESCol. You will see facilities, meet lecturers and get a feel for life as a student.
Our next Open Day will take place towards the end of 2025.
Do you need extra support?
NESCol can provide extra support to students who have additional support needs, including:
- learning difficulties or disabilities
- physical or sensory disabilities
- mental health and wellbeing concerns
- are care experienced or young carers
How do I cover the cost of living?
You may be eligible for additional funding to support the cost of living, including travel costs, cost of materials, and childcare.
Find out more about the types of funding and whether you are eligible here
Entry requirements
- Two Highers preferably including English (or equivalent)
Or
- Completion of an SCQF Level 6 care course
Or
- Completion of a Foundation Apprenticeship in Social Services & Healthcare
- For entry to Nursing, you will be interviewed by a panel from RGU, NHS Grampian and NESCol.
- If you wish to progress to a Midwifery degree, you must also hold Higher English at grade C or above.
Other requirements
- A clear PVG will be required prior to placement allocation. This will be organised by the College, however you will have to pay for the PVG.
- Fitness to practice: You must meet the standards of character, conduct and competence required to undertake your placement safely, as outlined in NMC Codes and SSSC.
- You must undertake a Moving & Handling course and Dealing with Violence & Aggression course before commencing placement. These will be organised by the College.
- If you have a health issue that may require a risk assessment or adaptations, you must let us know so the necessary risk assessments can be completed prior to placement.
- You must make an appointment at your GP practice for HepB Vaccination; this is free for anyone who may be at risk, which includes healthcare workers. You must provide evidence that this has been undertaken.
English language requirements
- If English is not your first language, we will ask you to provide evidence of your English language skills as part of the application process.
- For this course, a score of 7.0 is required for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) in all four disciplines (writing, reading, speaking and listening), or a Cambridge English Score of 185.
Additional costs
- You will have to apply for a PVG through the College and you will have to pay for this before you attend a placement.
- You may also have to pay for Hepatitis B injections before commencing a placement.
What you will get
HNC Healthcare Practice (SCQF Level 7)
How do I pay for this course?
If you are studying a full-time advanced course (HNC, HND or above), you may be entitled to funding.
How to apply to NESCol
You can apply for a full-time course online or using a paper form.
Open Days
Open Days are a great way to find out more about this course and what it’s like to study at NESCol. You will see facilities, meet lecturers and get a feel for life as a student.
Our next Open Day will take place towards the end of 2025.
Do you need extra support?
NESCol can provide extra support to students who have additional support needs, including:
- learning difficulties or disabilities
- physical or sensory disabilities
- mental health and wellbeing concerns
- are care experienced or young carers
How do I cover the cost of living?
You may be eligible for additional funding to support the cost of living, including travel costs, cost of materials, and childcare.
Find out more about the types of funding and whether you are eligible here
Entry requirements
- Two Highers preferably including English (or equivalent)
Or
- Completion of an SCQF Level 6 care course
Or
- Completion of a Foundation Apprenticeship in Social Services & Healthcare
- For entry to Nursing, you will be interviewed by a panel from RGU, NHS Grampian and NESCol.
- If you wish to progress to a Midwifery degree, you must also hold Higher English at grade C or above.
Other requirements
- A clear PVG will be required prior to placement allocation. This will be organised by the College, however you will have to pay for the PVG.
- Fitness to practice: You must meet the standards of character, conduct and competence required to undertake your placement safely, as outlined in NMC Codes and SSSC.
- You must undertake a Moving & Handling course and Dealing with Violence & Aggression course before commencing placement. These will be organised by the College.
- If you have a health issue that may require a risk assessment or adaptations, you must let us know so the necessary risk assessments can be completed prior to placement.
- You must make an appointment at your GP practice for HepB Vaccination; this is free for anyone who may be at risk, which includes healthcare workers. You must provide evidence that this has been undertaken.
English language requirements
- If English is not your first language, we will ask you to provide evidence of your English language skills as part of the application process.
- For this course, a score of 7.0 is required for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) in all four disciplines (writing, reading, speaking and listening), or a Cambridge English Score of 185.
Additional costs
- You will have to apply for a PVG through the College and you will have to pay for this before you attend a placement.
- You may also have to pay for Hepatitis B injections before commencing a placement.
What you will get
HNC Healthcare Practice (SCQF Level 7)
Opportunities
Whether you wish to progress in your studies or enter the world of work, North East Scotland College has excellent progression opportunities, with links to several universities across Scotland and strong relationships with industry employers.
University
This course enables students to apply for a place at RGU for Year 1 of BSc Paramedic Practice, BSc Midwifery or BSc Children and Young People Nursing.
You can also apply for Year 1 of the BSc Adult or Mental Health Nursing degree following this route, although we also offer a specific HNC Healthcare Practice: Nursing Degree Link course.
Please note that entry to these degree programmes is not automatic or guaranteed. You will have to apply as an independent candidate and will be subject to the normal university shortlisting and interview process. For BSc Midwifery, you must also have Higher English at grade C or above.
- Robert Gordon University (RGU) - BSc Paramedicine - Year 1
- Robert Gordon University (RGU) - BSc Midwifery - Year 1
- Robert Gordon University (RGU) - BSc Nursing – Children and Young People - Year 1
- Robert Gordon University (RGU) - BSc Nursing - Adult - Year 1
- Robert Gordon University (RGU) - BSc Nursing - Mental Health - Year 1
Student Stories
Diana Barkauskyte
Care
HNC Childhood Practice
“Studying at NESCol has pushed me out of my comfort zone and has made me the person I am today. I have had great experiences and the opportunity to apply my knowledge in childcare settings, which has made my learning more meaningful.”
Read more about Diana's story
Victoria Grover
Care
HNC Social Services
“I would highly recommend NESCol to anyone thinking about returning to education. As a mature student, I have been supported in many ways and had a great College experience, even with the challenges I’ve faced.”
Read more about Victoria's story
Shania Thom
Care
HNC Childhood Practice
“I would definitely recommend studying at NESCol. The College environment is welcoming, and the community is diverse with different cultures and ages.”
Read more about Shania's story
Kamila Kolmetz
Care
Allied Health Professions (SWAP)
“NESCol is a great place to learn, especially if you have a gap in your education. The lecturers go above and beyond to help students achieve their qualifications and dreams.”
Read more about Kamila's story
Katie McCafferty & Mandy Mackintosh
Care
HNC Childhood Practice
“Starting College as a mature student was quite daunting at first but I can honestly say I’ve never looked back. ” – Katie McCafferty
“It was a lot of hard work but it genuinely just felt like it was where I was meant to be.” – Mandy Mackintosh
Read more about Katie & Mandy's story
Callum Gerrie
Care
HNC Social Services
“My time at NESCol was a hugely positive experience – both in terms of my qualification and the knowledge, understanding and perspective I gained and the social connections I have made.”
Read more about Callum's story
Haley Robertson
Care
HNC Social Services
“I want to let people know if they are a bit scared or worried about going to college, there’s so much help and support available. It’s a really nice place to study. It will be so worthwhile – I’m so happy I did it.”
Read more about Haley's story
Samantha Ross
Care
PDA Childhood Practice
“It has definitely been the hardest and most challenging two years of my life but also the most rewarding in so many ways. I’ve even gained a new group of friends in my classmates – we still keep in touch after finishing the course in the summer.”
Read more about Samantha's story
Amanda Smith
Care
PDA Childhood Practice
“To advance my career I had the choice of a PDA or to go down the degree route and I knew from the outset that my learning style was better suited to the PDA option.”
Read more about Amanda's story
Jennifer Taylor
Care
Social Services Children and Young People, SCQF Level 7
“I started out as the lunch lady at one nursery and now I am the Manager of Peek-a-Boo nursery. I would definitely recommend an apprenticeship – I would do it again.”
Read more about Jennifer's story
Applications
North East Scotland College offers hundreds of courses each year, apply for one now.
You can apply for a place on this course by completing an online application form, which you can access using the ‘Apply Online’ button. Once completed, this will be received by our Admissions Team who will then process your application.
Aberdeen City Campus
-
Starts Aug 2025
-
Duration 1 year
-
Course Code C00057
Completed forms should be signed and returned to us at the following freepost address:
The Student Information & Admissions Manager
North East Scotland College
FREEPOST RTJJ-TXBA-AEZS
Aberdeen City Campus
Gallowgate
Aberdeen
Scotland
UK AB25 1BN
Full-time Application Form
Full-time Application Process
If you take up a place on a College course, at the start of the course you will be asked to complete an enrolment form. In completing the form and/or taking up a place on a College course, you will enter into a contract with the College and be bound by the North East Scotland College Standard Terms and Conditions of Study. Copies of the Terms and Conditions are available for inspection on notice boards and at various locations throughout the College, at the College Reception, on the College website: nescol.ac.uk, or can be obtained on request from the Student Funding and Admissions Manager, North East Scotland College, Aberdeen City Campus, Gallowgate, Aberdeen AB25 1BN. Please note that courses are offered subject to (a) there being sufficient numbers of enrolments and (b) the availability of resources. The College reserves its right (i) not to run courses where the number of students is considered insufficient or where resources are unavailable and (ii) in certain circumstances, to refuse admission to an individual applicant.
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