Administration and Information Technology HNC

Course code 17PN

What is special about this course?

The HNC Administration and Information Technology is designed to meet the demands and requirements of today's modern business environment, and will stand you in good stead to pursue a successful career in business administration.

You will study a wide range of topics, including: MS office applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, database and powerpoint. You will also study units such as recording financial transactions, business communication, office administration and digital technologies for administrators.

Special features

  • You may have the opportunity to study specialised units such as human resource management, using financial accounting software or medical terminology for administrators (Inverness and Lews only)
  • You can study full time or part time to suit your personal and professional circumstances

Entry requirements

  • 1 Scottish Higher at grade C or above, preferably including English, Administration, Business, or Accountancy
  • 1 A Level at grade D or above, preferably including English, Administration, Business, or Accountancy
  • Alternatively, a relevant NC qualification totalling at least 12 credits, NQ Administration and Information Technology or NQ Administration OR
  • Foundation Apprenticeship Accountancy or Foundation Apprenticeship Business Skills
  • Prospective students without the standard entry requirements as listed above are encouraged to apply

Year 1 - HNC

Mandatory units are:

  • Communication: business communication
  • Digital technologies for administrators
  • Graded Unit 1: administration and information technology
  • IT in business - word processing and presentation applications
  • IT in business - spreadsheets
  • IT in business - databases
  • Office administration
  • Personal development planning 
  • Recording financial transactions

Optional units may include:

  • Administrative procedures
  • Business law: an introduction
  • Creating a culture of customer care
  • Getting started in business
  • Hospital patient administration
  • Human resource management: an introduction
  • IT in business - word processing, spreadsheets and databases: an introduction
  • Managing people and organisations
  • Marketing: an introduction
  • Medical terminology for administration staff
  • Payroll
  • Personal enterprise skills
  • Presentation skills
  • Research skills
  • Visual communication: social media
  • Work experience

Option units available may vary depending on study location, for more information contact your chosen campus.

How will I study my course?

  • Full-time
  • Part-time attendance (structured)
  • Part-time distance learning (available at our Perth campus)
  • Part-time attendance (unstructured)
  • If you wish to apply for the distance learning option at our Perth campus, please include this in your personal statement when completing our online application form
  • You will study through supported online learning using the university's virtual learning environment (VLE) and/or by way of face-to-face lectures and tutorials in the classroom
  • Students at Argyll will also study some units by video conference

How long will my course last?

  • Full-time: 1 year
  • Part-time: 2 years

Where can I study my course?

  • Argyll - September start only
  • Inverness - September start only
  • Moray - September start only
  • North, West and Hebrides - online only (not available to study in 2024/25)
  • Perth
  • Shetland

Start date

  • September
  • January (part-time study only)
  • Distance learning is available in September via our Perth campus

Fees

For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

This includes

  • EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
  • EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
  • EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
Higher National Awards (HNC, HND) 2023-24 2024-25
Full-time per year £1,285 £1,285
Part-time (per HN credit) £86 £86

Rest of UK students

For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland, including Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) and with a term time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

Higher National Awards (HNC, HND) 2023-24 2024-25
Full-time per year £7,110 £7,110
Part-time (per HN credit) £474 £474

Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.

There are a number of funding options available to UK students to help you pay for your studies and your cost of living while studying.

International students

For students who do not normally reside in the UK, including EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled or pre-settled status in the UK, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

Higher National Awards (HNC, HND) 2023-24 2024-25
Full-time per year £7,980 £8,775
Part-time (per HN credit) £532 £585

Part-time study is not open to international student requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK.

Funding

UHI has a number of scholarships, bursaries, awards, and discretionary fund opportunities available to new and current students. Please use the A-Z of funds or use the filter to see which ones may be relevant to you. All students are welcome to apply.

Further information on funding your studies is also available, please see the attached link or contact the relevant UHI partner.

What can I do on completion of my course?

On completion of your HNC Administration and Information Technology course you will be equipped to take up a range of posts in business administration.

Can I progress into further study?

You can progress to the following courses:

Is there more information available online?

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I had been working in administration for 11 years and felt it was time to upskill and refresh some brain cells, so I decided to study HNC Administration and Information Technology. Initially I was nervous as to whether I was too old or if I would have time to dedicate to my studies. 

Despite my worries, all the staff were so helpful and supportive and there was an option to study not only part time but also online both at my local centre in Portree and from home. This meant I could study, work and raise my family at the same time. We covered many interesting units and I learnt so much. It has shown me that you are never too old to learn new skills and learning can be so flexible to fit around your life. I feel fortunate to be able to have completed this course without moving away to a city.

Katrina studied the HNC Administration and Information Technology at UHI North, West and Hebrides. 

Apply for Administration and Information Technology HNC

I want to start in Aug/Sep 2024 or Jan/Feb 2025

We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.