College & Alternative Routes to a Degree

Applying to College and Alternative Routes to a Degree

There are a range of options at college which can lead to higher education college qualifications, or on to university.

• An HNC is a one-year college course (SCQF Level 7). It is a qualification it its own right. You may be able to use it to apply to first year, or in some cases to second year, of a university degree if you are aiming for university study.

• An HND is a two-year college course (SCQF Level 8). It is a qualification it its own right. You may be able to use it to apply to second year, or in some cases to third year, of a university degree if you are aiming for university study.

• There are some associate degree courses available at colleges. This means that you can be enrolled at both college and university at the same time, and be guaranteed a place at university if you pass your college course.

• There are also some degree courses available at colleges.

You might remember we talked about this when we spoke to you in S5?

You can apply to college at the same time as you apply to UCAS by applying through the relevant college website. This does not use up any of your UCAS choices.

Find a list of colleges in Scotland here.

Find out more about articulation (moving from college into second or third year of university) here.

If you're interested in pathways between colleges and universities in the regions of Stirling, Clackmannanshire, Fife, Falkirk, West Lothian, City of Edinburgh, Midlothian, East Lothian, and the Scottish Borders, check out this pathways website. (Remember, this website doesn't cover all of Scotland yet so take your time to research other areas too.)

Search on college and university websites to find out more, and be sure to check what arrangements are in place between colleges and universities before deciding on a course and potential pathway.