Social Services HNC
Course code: 114L
Study mode: You study most days of the week and complete all course units /modules in the standard time., You take fewer course units/modules per week compared to full time.
Course type: HNC
International: Not eligible for international students
Study at: Argyll; Inverness; Moray; North, West and Hebrides; Orkney; Perth; Shetland
Start in: September
Learning mode: You attend classes in person at your local campus or learning centre., You access classes and/or materials digitally., You complete a work-based activity to gain industry experience.
Duration: Full time: 1 year; Part time: 2 years
How: You attend classes at scheduled times, shown on your timetable., You complete course tasks independently. These may be set by your lecturer or chosen by you., You are supported, monitored and assessed in a workplace.
What is special about this course?
The HNC Social Services is a nationally recognised qualification and a valued award for people who want to work in a variety of social service settings, supporting individuals with varying needs.
You will gain an understanding of the values and principles of social services and learn how to integrate those values with necessary skills and knowledge, including the importance of anti-discriminatory practice in line with the National Care Standards and Scottish Social Services Council Codes of Practice.
Successful completion of the award will enable you to gain access to employment within a social service setting.
Special features
- You will undertake a 60-day work placement as part of your course, giving you the opportunity to complete three units from the SVQ Social Services and Healthcare (SCQF level 7). This is usually 2 days a week. However, if you are currently working more than 14 hours a week in a care related role you do not need to do a placement. You use your work experience instead.
- You can study full time or part time to suit your own personal circumstances
- Individual units can be studied as continuous professional development (CPD)
Accommodation
We offer modern student accommodation at a number of our locations.
Entry requirements
- Normally 2 Scottish Highers at grade C or above, OR
- 1 A level at grade D or above
- These should preferably include English
- Alternatively, a relevant NQ or NC level 6 award will be considered OR
- Completion of Foundation Apprenticeship Social Services and Healthcare
- You should also have experience in a social service setting or similar work, either in a voluntary capacity or as an informal carer
- Prospective students without the standard entry requirements are encouraged to apply and will be considered on an individual basis
- You may also be required to attend an interview
- This is a Category 1 PVG course: PVG Scheme membership is required to successfully achieve target qualification, where there is guaranteed contact with vulnerable groups in key elements of the course. For further information visit our PVG scheme webpage
Access routes
NC level 6 Group Award that includes Higher Care or a similar Higher.
Mandatory Units are:
- Care in contemporary society
- Leadership starts with me
- Health wellbeing and safeguarding
- Lifespan development theoretical approaches
- Promote effective communication
- Promote health, safety and security in the work setting
- Develop your practice through reflection and learning
- Social services graded unit 1
- Care practice
You must also choose one optional unit from:
- Administration of medication
- Understanding loss and the process of grief
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 (structured)
You will learn through a combination of face-to-face lectures and online study via the university’s virtual learning environment (VLE).
How long will my course last?
- Full-time: 1 year
- Part-time (structured): 2 years
- Argyll
- Inverness
- Moray
- North, West and Hebrides - Online
- Orkney
- Perth
- Shetland
Start date
- September
Fees
For information on costs of this course please contact the campus where you wish to study.
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?
The HNC Social Services qualification will improve your career prospects in a range of social service settings.
Can I progress into further study?
You will be able to progress onto a variety of degree courses following successful interview, usually starting at year one, such as;
- BSc Adult or Mental Health Nursing
- BA (Hons) Health and Social Studies
- BA (Hons) Social Sciences
- BSc (Hons) Psychology
- BA (Hons) Sociology and Criminology
- A degree in Social Work at another institution (please check with your institution of choice for any additional entry requirements that may be required in addition to this HNC)
I started studying the Level 5 Pathway to Health and Social Care, which led to the NC Health and Social Care, and it was the level of support which made me want to stay and progress onto the HNC Social Services. The support received from all staff and lecturers at UHI has honestly been amazing! They all go above and beyond.
My favourite thing about UHI is the support from all staff and my fellow classmates. Everyone genuinely cares about each other and it’s such a supportive atmosphere.
Jacob graduated from the HNC in Social Services at UHI Moray.
I have now been a qualified nurse for over a year and I am working locally in Fort William at the Belford Hospital in the Theatre Department. I love my job and the team I work alongside with. One of the best decisions I ever made was signing up to do the HNC Social Services with UHI. It has enabled me to progress onto UHI where I was able to complete BSc Adult Nursing Degree.
Kasha studied the HNC Social Services at UHI North, West and Hebrides before progressing to studying the BSc Adult Nursing at UHI.
Apply for Social Services HNC
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.