UHI Inverness celebrates success of school students gaining HNCs

UHI Inverness is celebrating the outstanding pass rate of a group of secondary school pupils who sat HNC qualifications at the college campus as part of their sixth-year timetable.

While senior pupils throughout the Highlands received their Higher and National exam results earlier this month, these pupils had an extra special reason to celebrate because they gained a higher education qualification that is the equivalent of the first year of a university degree – while still at school. 

Many of them are now progressing onto courses at a higher level than other school leavers, with some moving onto the second year of a degree programme. Half of them have decided to continue their studies at UHI Inverness.

A total of 21 pupils enrolled on 11 different HNC courses and 95% have successfully completed their course, passing an HNC qualification. 

UHI Inverness is committed to widening participation and improving attainment, and this programme was part of an initiative to support young people in accessing higher education. 

The pupils from Charleston Academy, Culloden Academy, Dingwall Academy, Fortrose Academy, Glen Urquhart High School, Grantown Grammar and Nairn Academy spent three days a week throughout the academic year studying HNCs in a wide variety of subjects at the UHI Inverness campus.

A breakdown of their positive destinations shows that 57% of these HNC students are progressing to further HE study and of those, 47% will be continuing their studies at UHI Inverness, either at HND or degree level. Most of the remainder are progressing onto related employment.

Dr Lindsay Snodgrass, Vice Principal at UHI Inverness, said:

“This is a very exciting time for us at UHI Inverness. We introduced this initiative in the spring of 2024 to widen access and to provide a pathway to higher education for local school pupils. It allowed them to study at SCQF level 7 while remaining in the Highlands, with the aim of improving attainment and the quality of positive destinations for young people.

“It has resulted in very positive results for the senior school pupils who embraced the challenge and devoted their last year of school to studying at our campus, at a level that is normally reserved for students who have already left school. 

“They have shown an aptitude and dedication that is nothing short of outstanding, while studying alongside UHI Inverness students. They have flourished at our campus, with the support of our academic and professional services staff, and we could not be prouder of them. 

“We are delighted that the delivery of this programme has been highly effective, and we anticipate a greater number of school pupils studying an HNC qualification with us in the coming academic year. The growth of the HNC pathway is an area of strategic importance for UHI Inverness and our communities, recognising our university status. 

“We at UHI Inverness pride ourselves on providing a highly supportive learning environment for all our students by reducing any potential barriers to learning, including any financial challenges or additional support requirements.” 

The HNCs were delivered as part of the well-established Senior Phase programme, which offers courses across the UHI Inverness curriculum to S4 to S6 pupils at Highland secondary schools as part of their school timetable.

School pupil engagement with HNC study has been strongly supported by Sarah Abenheimer, Depute Head Teacher at Nairn Academy.

She said: “As a school, Nairn Academy is grateful to UHI Inverness for taking a leap and offering HNCs to our S6 pupils. Nine of our S6 completed an HNC over the past year, and of these pupils, all found the college environment supportive and the courses enjoyable. 

“Many are now moving onto degree courses, some fast-tracking into second year. One of our pupils had not considered university an option at all but now has a place and has grown in confidence. Another pupil who studied HNC Engineering, is now a graduate apprentice in civil engineering and is working on the site next door, building our new school with a contractor because he completed the HNC course. 

“This pipeline into local higher education has already impacted young people in the Highlands and allowed them to stay here and study nearer home. Living in the Highlands can be a barrier to career advancement and often folk move away, but here, higher education is on offer. The courses at UHI Inverness link directly to industry relevant to the area and provides a valuable strategy in long-term economic sustainability.”

The HNC Senior Phase students gave positive feedback about enjoying learning in a different style and environment, and getting a step ahead for gaining entry into university or employment.

Ryan-James Mackay (18), who recently left Nairn Academy, has ambitions to be a software developer and gained HNC Computing this year. He will be studying HND Computing at UHI Inverness after the summer with a view to continuing to complete the degree programme.  

“I think this course was right for me because it helped expand my computing knowledge,” said Ryan, in a written communication. 
“Being deaf and non-verbal, I had a slight disadvantage to the other students, but everyone has been very supportive. My lecturers and fellow students have been understanding to my needs and allowed me additional time where needed, and simplified questions and explanations when required. UHI Inverness has helped me by being easily accessible to me, offering the courses I am interested in and by being a very inclusive environment. Both the HNC course I have just completed, and future planned ones, will help me greatly by expanding my computing knowledge further, allowing me to develop more skills and hopefully in time give me access to my dream job.”

Kerrie Macdonald-Nethercott believes studying HNC Applied Science at UHI Inverness while at Grantown Grammar was her best decision yet, because it provided an alternative pathway to a pharmacology degree at Strathclyde University which she will start after the summer.

“I knew that the HNC would benefit my education more than staying at school and continuing with Advanced Highers,” said Kerrie, whose predicted school grades were lower than she needed for her preferred degree.

Matthew Dunthorne studied HNC Accounting at UHI Inverness during his last year at Charleston Academy. He wants to be a chartered accountant with a local firm and will be joining UHI Inverness as a full-time student to study HND Accounting in the new academic year.

“I loved the campus building, the atmosphere, the people, the lectures and the course content. It was a fun and engaging course with lots of choice and freedom. I think it offers a very high-quality style of teaching by people who truly understand what they teach,” said Matthew.