Pearson BTEC HND in Applied Sciences

16.75 hours per week contact time to include practical classes, lectures, virtual learning environments (VLEs), online lectures, video, printable online resources, virtual visits, webcams for distance training, e-portfolios workshops or tutorials.

Mandatory Additional Study

Maximum of 3 hours per week average over the academic year.

Personal Study

22 hours maximum studying and preparing assessments in your own time per week, to include use of online materials.

GCSE English

• GCSE English Language Grade C/4 or above OR Pass in Level 2 Essential Skills Literacy.

GCSE Maths

• GCSE Mathematics Grade C/4 or above OR Pass in Level 2 Essential Skills Numeracy, OR equivalent*.

    *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.

Other GCSE

• Four passes at Grade C/4 or above, 2 of which to include English (as above) and Maths (as above) OR equivalent.

UCAS

A minimum of 32 UCAS points including:

At least one A Level pass preferably in an appropriate subject (e.g. Chemistry or Biology) OR

Level 3 Diploma in Applied Science which must include two chemistry units:

e.g. Chemistry for Biotechnicians and Industrial Chemical Reactions.

Access Diploma

Access Diploma in Foundation Studies with an overall average of 60%-65% + and with one science module at a minimum of 60%.

International Requirements

Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) level B2 PTE 51 IELTS 6.0 (minimum of 5.5 in all skills) Or equivalent (Examples of equivalent qualifications would be a GCSE in English, Level 3 Programmes, Essential Skills in Literacy – Level 2, ESOL Level 2 or another qualifications gained at an Institution within the 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.

Students are assessed using a range of different methods.

These include examinations, 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.

The HND in Applied Sciences prepares you for employment in the science industry and provides you with the opportunity to gain entry to relevant Degree programmes. 

Successful completion of the HND may enable you to progress to further study on the first or second year of a Degree course such as BSc(Hons) Microbiology and Biological Science at Queen's University and Applied Biochemical Science.

With further/ additional study it may also lead to BSc(Hons) Physiotherapy, BSc(Hons) Optometry and  BSc(Hons) Radiography at Ulster University, or BSc(Hons) Applied Biological Sciences, BSc(Hons) Marine Biology, BSc Biotechnology (Year 3) at Ulster University and BSc(Hons) Environmental Science Degrees.

You may progress to employment in areas including laboratory work in hospitals, industry, schools/colleges or the Scientific Civil Service

The HND in Applied Sciences provides a Nationally Recognised Qualification offering career progression and professional development for those already in employment and provides opportunities to progress to Higher Education. 

Along with the vocational skills you will also develop employability skills through workshops such as teamwork, innovation and problem solving.

You are encouraged to take up work placement in hospital labs, civil service labs, industries and educational sectors.

It is the responsibility of the student to organise this work placement.

On completion of the HNC a further 7 units will complete the HND

Mandatory Core Units:

Analysis of Scientific Data and Information (Pearson set)

Applied Sciences Research Project

Mandatory Specialist Units:

Biochemistry of Macromolecules and Metabolic Pathways

Molecular Biology and Genetics

Immunology

Optional Units, may include:

Environmental Monitoring and Analysis

Conservation and Biodiversity

Units may vary due to the availability of staff and combining HND and HNC classes.