Starting S6 in August 2027

Available S6

Course Summary

The HNC Accounting covers a wide range of accounting concepts and provides you with an excellent grounding in the principles of financial and management accounting using manual and computerised approaches. It is designed to prepare you for a career in accounting or financial administration.

Course Content

• Cost accounting
• Graded unit 1: accounting 
• Management accounting using IT
• Preparing financial statements
• Recording financial information
• Using financial accounting software

Course Qualification

HNC Accounting - SCQF Level 7

Progression

On completion of this course you may progress onto:

• HND Accounting

Available S6

Course Summary

Do you have experience in performance? Or have you always wanted to pursue your interest but never taken it further? Now is your time. Develop your skills in voice, movement, acting, and stage craft with our HNC.

Be part of performances in the community and in our versatile performing arts studio, collaborating with students on the BA (Hons) Drama and Production to trial run your performances in scratch performance nights, work in teams, share leadership opportunities, and take part in innovative and creative approaches to working in rehearsal and performance.

Course Content

• Acting 1: developing skills
• Acting and performance: group award graded unit 1
• Movement 1: developing skills
• Production 1: developing skills
• Voice 1: developing skills

Course Qualification

HNC Acting and Performance - SCQF level 7

Progression

On completion of this course you may progress onto:

• HND Acting and Performance

Available S6

Course Summary

This course is designed for today’s fast-paced business world, equipping you with the tech skills and practical knowledge every industry values. You’ll dive into real-world tools such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and databases, while also developing skills in communication, finance and digital admin. 

Course Content

• Develop skills in MS Office apps: Word, PowerPoint and Excel
• Digital tech: Using cloud tools and digital platforms
• Business communication: Email formatting and best practice
• Office admin: Schedule and meeting management
• Recording financial transactions: Understand how businesses track money and keep accounts accurate.
• Personal development planning: Setting goals and building confidence

Course Qualification

HNC Administration and Information Technology - SCQF Level 7

Progression

On completion of this course you may progress onto:

• BA (Hons) Business and Management - Year 2

Available S6

Course Summary

The HNC Applied Sciences course is a wide-ranging course, covering the theoretical and practical aspects of modern sciences. You will study ecology, environmental issues and the core sciences. You will also develop your laboratory skills and improve your research and writing skills.

You will learn a broad range of sciences, such as Chemistry, Biology, Physics and Environmental disciplines. This course will allow you to develop scientific theoretical knowledge, scientific communication and presentation skills, while conducting specialised research.

Course Content

• Mathematics for science
• Statistics for science
• Applied sciences: graded unit
• Fundamental chemistry: theory and laboratory skills
• Cell biology: theory and laboratory skills
• Laboratory skills for science industries
• Physics for life sciences

Course Qualification

HNC Applied Sciences - SCQF level 7

Progression

On completion of this course you may progress onto:

• BSc (Hons) Environmental Science
• BSc (Hons) Geography
• BSc (Hons) Forestry and Treescape Management

Available S6

Course Summary

This course offers a strong pathway to degree-level study in the built environment. You’ll work in a design-studio setting on practical projects that help you develop a compelling portfolio, while gaining a solid grounding in architectural technology and construction principles.

If you’re passionate about architecture and design, this course is an ideal fit. You’ll gain hands-on experience through studio projects, build your CAD and technical skills, and develop a portfolio that prepares you for further study or a career in the built environment.

Course Content

• Architectural design sketching and drawing
• Construction technology: substructure
• Construction technology: industrial/commercial superstructure
• CAD: 2D1
• Architectural procedures
• Building services in large building
• Construction materials and specification
• Design of building structures
• Statutory control of buildings
• Architectural technology: graded unit

Course Qualification

Degree Module: Architectural Studio 1 – SCQF level 7

Progression

On completion of this course you may progress onto:

• BSc (Hons) Sustainable Architectural Studies - Year 2

Available S6

Course Summary

HNC Beauty Therapy aims at developing the underpinning knowledge, research, and skills to work in beauty.

You will be taught by industry professionals with a wide range of industrial experience who will provide you with the training required to develop a career in the beauty industry and impart essential knowledge to equip you for employment.

Course Content

• Beauty therapy: applied anatomy and physiology
• Beauty therapy: face and body treatment packages
• Beauty therapy: professional salon skills
• Beauty therapy: graded unit 1

Course Qualification

HNC Beauty Therapy - SCQF level 7

Available S6

Course Summary

The HNC Business will give you an excellent introduction to a wide range of business and management skills. You will gain a range of knowledge and understanding that is highly sought-after by employers, including: business fundamentals; marketing; economics; emerging technologies; IT; communication; accounting and management.

Course Content

• Accounting for business: an introduction
• Business fundamentals and emerging technologies
• Business: graded unit 1
• Communication: business communication
• Economic issues: an introduction
• Managing people and organisations
• Marketing: an introduction

Course Qualification

HNC Business - SCQF level 7

Progression

On completion of this course you may progress onto:

• BA (Hons) Business and Management - Year 2

Available S6

Course Summary

If you'd like a career in civil engineering or the built environment, this course is an excellent starting point. You’ll learn core principles of civil engineering, develop practical and technical skills, and work with modern technology and lab facilities while exploring themes like clean construction and digital innovation.

Course Content

Semester 1

• CAD 2D1
• Civil engineering: contract and project management a
• Mathematics for construction
• Structural mechanics
• Civil engineering specialisms
• Civil engineering technology
• Construction technical communication skills
• Construction technology: substructure

Semester 2

• CAD for civil engineers
• Civil engineering: graded unit 1
• Civil engineering: materials and testing
• Construction site surveying a
• Construction site surveying b
• Geotechnics A
• Maths for civil engineering
• Civil Engineering graded unit

Course Qualification

HNC Civil Engineering - SCQF level 7

Progression

On completion of this course you may progress onto:

• Graduate Apprenticeship in Civil Engineering - Year 2

Available S6

Course Summary

This HNC Computing will provide you with useful foundations for a successful career in computing and technology.

It is a broad-based course which will introduce you to, and develop your knowledge of aspects of software development, technical support, networking and web development.

Course Content

• Computer systems and network fundamentals
• Developing client and server sided websites
• Developing mobile applications
• Professionalism and ethics in computing
• Programming languages and programming paradigms
• Team working in computing
• Troubleshooting computing problems

Course Qualification

HNC Computing - SCQF level 7

Progression

On completion of this course you may progress onto:

• HND Computer Science

Available S6

Course Summary

Explore a variety of media, processes, and techniques, including drawing, painting, sculpture, film and photography. Develop your personal work and projects, with modules in portfolio-building and personal development planning. This course forms the first two years of our BA (Hons) Art and Contemporary Practices.

Course Content

• Developmental drawing 
• Contemporary art: two-dimensional practice 
• Contemporary art: three-dimensional practice 
• Contemporary art practice: printmaking and producing print
• Contemporary art: theory & context 1
• Contemporary art practice: graded unit 1 

Course Qualification

HNC Contemporary Art Practice - SCQF level 7

Progression

On completion of this course you may progress onto:

• HND Contemporary Art Practice

Available S6

Course Summary

The HNC Engineering Systems will give you the required technical training to be a technician in design, research, development and service support activities in engineering, manufacturing and consultancy.

Course Content

• Engineering systems
• Engineering systems practical skills
• Engineering systems principles
• Mathematics tools for engineering
• Professional practice in engineering
• Engineering principles

Course Qualification

HNC Engineering Systems - SCQF level 7

Progression

On completion of this course you may progress onto:

• Civil Engineering (Graduate Apprenticeship)

Available S6

Course Summary

If you have a passion for health and fitness and would like to teach others the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, the HNC Physical Activity and Health will give you the appropriate skills and training to work in a range of roles within the health and fitness industry. The course will introduce you to the fundamental principles of training and science; the interdisciplinary nature of fitness and exercise; and how to involve individuals in their own fitness and health.

Course Content

• Exercise and fitness: health and safety management 
• Exercise physiology and anatomy 
• Exercise principles and programming 
• First aid for sport and fitness 
• Health screening 
• Nutrition for fitness, health and exercise 
• Working safely and effectively with clients 
• Fitness, health and exercise: graded unit 1

Course Qualification

HNC Physical Activity and Health - SCQF level 7

Progression

On completion of this course you may progress onto:

• HND HNC Physical Activity and Health (2027)

Available S6

Course Summary

The HNC Forestry will give you the skills, knowledge and experience required to succeed as a supervisor or self-employed contractor in the forestry industry.

Subjects include: forest science; establishment of woodlands; forest harvesting; forest mensuration and thinning control; timber sales and transportation; and woodland nursery production.

Course Content

• Forestry: forest science
• Forestry: timber sales and transportation
• Forestry: graded unit 1
• Employment and health and safety legislation for the land-based industries
• Establishment of woodland
• Forest harvesting
• Forest mensuration and thinning control

Course Qualification

HNC Forestry - SCQF level 7

Progression

On completion of this course you may progress onto:

• BSc (Hons) Environmental Science
• BSc Hons) Forestry and Treescape Management
• BSc (Hons) Geography

Available S6

Course Summary

This course is designed to help you see the world differently. We are all exposed to so much information in our daily lives that it can be difficult to assess what is real and what is ‘fake’: HNC Social Sciences is the perfect course for students who want to develop the skills to search for the truth.

You will be supported to develop your critical thinking and your complex problem solving abilities by looking for creative solutions to social, political and psychological problems. You will learn how topics cross over between all of your subjects, for example, the concept of power – you will explore this from a socio-political perspective but also an historical, criminological and psychological perspective; similarly, the concept of conformity and how this weaves into our everyday social, political and psychological behaviours.

Course Content

• Social sciences: research and methodology
• Social sciences: graded unit 1
• Psychology A: history and development of psychology
• Sociology A: introducing sociological concepts and theories
• Sociology B: application and analysis of sociological theory to sociological topics

Course Qualification

HNC Social Science - SCQF level 7

Progression

On completion of this course you may progress onto:

• HND Social Science

Available S6

Course Summary

The HNC Soft Tissue Therapy has been designed for those who want to perform hands-on treatments with people who participate in sport. The treatment could be designed to help an athlete optimise their performance, or help aid recovery from injury that has been diagnosed by an appropriate medical professional.

Achievement of the award will allow you to work with any athlete from recreational through to elite level performers. It will also allow you to work within a sports medicine team, beside other professionals, such as: sports medicine doctors; physiotherapists; general, strength and conditioning coaches and nutritionists; or independently in a clinic-type environment.

Course Content

• Clinical and Team Experience 1
• Clinical Sports Massage
• First Aid for Sports and Fitness
• Flexibility Training
• Functional Anatomy
• Pathology and Aetiology of sports Injury
• Prevention and Management of sports injury
• Research Investigation
• Sports Massage for events
• Sports Therapy Anatomy and Physiology
• Exercise Principles and Testing
• Sports Therapy Professional Standards
• Sports Therapy Graded Unit 

Course Qualification

HNC Soft Tissue - SCQF level 7

Progression

On completion of this course you may progress onto:

• HND Sports Therapy

Available S6

Course Summary

This course blends theory with hands-on practice to prepare you for coaching both indoor and outdoor sports. Whether you’re already in the industry or ready to launch your career, you’ll gain the skills, knowledge and confidence to inspire athletes and make an impact in the world of sport.

Course Content

• Human anatomy, physiology and biomechanics in sport
• Sports coaching and development: developing professional practice
• Sports coaching and development: graded unit 1
• Sports coaching practitioner: knowing coaching
• Sports coaching practitioner: knowing others
• Sports coaching practitioner: knowing yourself
• Sports development 1

Course Qualification

HNC Sports Coaching and Development - SCQF level 7

Progression

On completion of this course you may progress onto:

• HND Sports Coaching and Development
• BSc (Hons) Sport and Fitness

Available S6

Course Summary

Looking to combine your love of design with your interests in technology and communication? Join our dynamic and contemporary programmes, using state-of-the-art software and printmaking facilities to explore creative tools and techniques relevant to graphic design, photography, moving image, and illustration.

Course Content

• Visual Communication: An introduction
• Printmaking and Producing Print
• Typography
• Digital Media Skills
• Digital Media Production
• Illustration

Course Qualification

HNC Visual Communication - SCQF level 7

Progression

On completion of this course you may progress onto:

• HND Visual Communication

Available to: S5 pupils starting S6 in August 2026, or current S6 pupils leaving school in June 2026. 

Course Summary

Open to S6 pupils, the Highland Pathway to Healthcare course offers more than just an introduction to healthcare - it immerses you in it. You’ll gain hands-on experience, meet the professionals making a real difference every day, and explore what it truly means to build a career dedicated to helping others.

This is your chance to step into the worlds of medicine, pharmacy, science, chemistry, and beyond. Along the way, you’ll develop valuable skills, strengthen your university applications, and discover where your ambitions can take you.

Developed through a unique partnership between the University of Aberdeen (Medicine), Robert Gordon University (Pharmacy), and NHS Highland, this programme brings expert knowledge and practical experience directly to the Highlands. You can begin your studies locally, combining hands-on learning with academic insight, before progressing into your chosen pathway in medicine or pharmacy.

Course Content

HNC Applied Science modules with additional degree level modules, including: Development of Study/Meta Skills and Personal Planning.

Course Qualification

Highland Pathway to Healthcare: Medicine and Pharmacy - HECert

Progression

Students will be guaranteed an interview on their chosen pathway at University of Aberdeen or Robert Gordon University. 

As students are not guaranteed a place on their chosen degree with either UoA or RGU, UHI Inverness will support those who are unsuccessful in applying for a suitable course within the UHI partnership:

• BSc Oral Health Science
• BSc (Hons) Environmental Science - Year 2
• BSc (Hons) Geography - Year 2
• BSc (Hons) Forestry and Treescape Management - Year 2