Pearson BTEC HNC in Applied Sciences

Contact Hours per week

7 hours contact time to include practical classes, lectures, workshops or tutorials.

Mandatory Additional Study

Maximum of 1.5 hours per week average over the academic year.

Personal Study

11 hours maximum studying and preparing assessments in your own time per week, including use of online materials.

General Entry Requirements

The general entry requirements below identify the minimum qualifications needed to apply for the programme. Other qualifications will be considered on an individual basis on application. You are required to upload a copy of your qualification certificates to show how you meet the entry requirements for the programme prior to enrolment. Applications will also require successful completion of the admissions process.

GCSE/ Level 2 Requirements

• GCSE grade C/4 in English Language, or Level 2 Certificate in Essential Skills-Communication, or equivalent in an approved alternative qualification.

AND

• GCSE grade C/4 in Mathematics, or Level 2 Certificate in Essential Skills-Application of Number, or equivalent in an approved alternative qualification.*

*It should be noted that we strongly recommend that if you do not hold a GCSE in Maths that you enrol in a course concurrently with the HNC as many Universities require GCSE Maths as an entry requirement for Science degrees.

AND

• Passes in 4 different subjects (can include English Language and Mathematics and as above), with 1 at GCE Advanced (A) level (grades A-E), and 3 at GCSE level (grades A*-C*/9-4), or equivalent in an approved alternative qualification.

Course Entry Requirements

A minimum of 32 UCAS points including:

• GCE A level (A2): Typical grade profile C [Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, or Double Award Science/Applied Science.] 

OR

• Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Applied Science with overall award profile (PP)

OR

• Access to HE Diploma (NI): 60%-65% overall [in an Applied Science course] and 60% in one science module.

OR

• Equivalent alternate qualification

Accreditation of Prior Learning

Alternatively, you can provide evidence of your ability to undertake the programme by meeting the requirements for the Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) process, either through Accredited Prior Certificated Learning (APCL) or Accredited Prior Experiential Learning (APEL). Further details on APL can be found in the HE Admissions process section of our website and the HE Accreditation of Prior Learning SOP

International Students English Language Requirements

International applicants, from Non-Native English speaking countries, must have evidence of English Language Level B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages:

• IELTS 6.0 (Academic) (minimum of 5.5 in all skills)

• PTE Academic 51 (minimum of 46 in each part)

• Or equivalent UKVI-approved English Language Test

For further information please contact our International Department at international@serc.ac.uk

Admissions

Successful completion of the Admissions Process

APEL

Provide evidence of ability to undertake the programme by meeting the requirements for the accreditation of prior experiential learning.  Further details on APEL can be found in the Admissions Section of our website.

Students are assessed using a range of different methods.

These include time constrained assignments, coursework, Project Based Learning, presentations, practical, posters, leaflets, role-play, and case studies. 

This is dependent on the requirements of each unit of study.  Oral, written and online feedback will be provided during your course to help improve and monitor performance.

As part of the course you will be expected to participate in field trips to Lough Neagh Discovery Centre or W5 which will incur travel costs (£15.00).  

Year 1 Modules:

MANDATORY MODULES:

Fundamentals of Laboratory Techniques

Scientific Data Handling

Approaches and Techniques

OPTIONAL MODULES: 

Fundamentals of Biochemistry

Microbiological techniques

Year 2:

MANDATORY MODULES:

Regulation and Quality in the Applied Sciences

Cell Biology

Fundamentals of Chemistry Anatomy and Human Physiology