Healthcare Practice - HNC

Start

25 Aug 2025

End

12 Jun 2026

The HNC Health Care Practice course is designed to prepare you for employment in the health care sector as a Health Care Support Assistant or to advance to university for nursing studies.

This course combines academic knowledge with clinical skills practice during an NHS placement, helping you develop the competencies needed for practice.

This HNC provides the first year of Nursing training qualification that offers a range of possible progression routes to degrees or education for Professions Allied to Medicine.

Full-time placement work is allocated in 3 separate blocks throughout the academic year. An Edinburgh Napier University Student Nurse uniform and badge is provided for placement work. Please read the Important Notice at www.borderscollege.ac.uk/uni

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Qualifications

HNC Healthcare Practice at SCQF Level 7

Delivery

Full-time 36 week course, 3 days per week in College for a total of 18 weeks

Block release work placement totaling 18 weeks

Location

Scottish Borders Campus

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Entry requirements

Entry Requirements: Highers: Minimum of 2 Highers, including English. We also consider Highers in Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Human Biology.Additional Qualifications: At least Int 2 Biology/N5 Biology or equivalent and Maths at C or above. Mature Students: Those without formal qualifications must demonstrate the ability to study at the HNC level.Alternative Pathways: Applications may be considered if you have successfully completed a relevant NC at Level 6, which includes Biology.Personal Statement: In addition to qualifications, entry onto the course will be based on the strength of your personal statement.You are requested to include a personal statement of no more than 600 words and must include the following: Why are you interested in nursing/healthcare?What you think are the challenges in nursing/healthcare?What are the essential skills a nurse/healthcare professional possesses?What do you know about our institution and course?Why are you a good match for this course?As part of your course, you will have a work placement. Therefore, you must provide information about your health status and have a satisfactory PVG.

Progression opportunities

Successful students who have achieved an A or B in their graded unit may apply to enter into the second year of a Nursing Degree at Edinburgh Napier and Queen Margaret University. The HNC also provides for a wide range of possible progression routes to degrees in Dietetics, Physiotherapy or Social Sciences, and Paramedic training. Students may opt to apply for a job in Health Care with a recognised qualification.

Course Content

What you will study:

  • Safe Working Practice for Care
  • Therapeutic Relationships; Understanding Behaviour
  • Sociology and Health in Scotland
  • Professional Standards for Care Practice
  • Understanding Personal and Professional Development
  • Clinical Skills for Care Practitioners
  • The Human Body in Health and Illness
  • Exploring Mental Health
  • Healthcare Practice: Graded Unit 1
  • Practice Placement in a NHS Setting

Questions?

Get in touch for further information, we’re here to help.

01896 66 26 00