Childhood Practice HNC
Course code: 273X
Study mode: You study most days of the week and complete all course units /modules in the standard time.
Course type: HNC
International: Not eligible for international students
Study at: Argyll; Inverness; Moray; North, West and Hebrides; Orkney; Perth; Shetland
Start in: September
Learning mode: You attend classes in person at the local campus or learning centre., You access classes and/or materials digitally., You complete a work-based activity to gain industry experience.
Duration: Full time: 1 year
How: You attend classes at scheduled times, shown on your timetable.
What is special about this course?
Are you looking for a career that's both meaningful and rewarding? Are you caring, patient and keen to support children's development as you help them grow in confidence, skills and independence?
Our new HNC Childhood Practice* has been designed in partnership with the sector to reflect the knowledge, skills and values needed by today's Early Learning and Childcare workforce.
This updated qualification combines current industry practice with extensive work-based learning, helping you develop the confidence and practical experience employers are looking for.
Joining a more streamlined qualification, with fewer assessments and greater emphasis on meaningful learning, allows you to focus on developing the vital professional skills needed to support children and young people effectively. You'll explore key areas including child development, safeguarding, children's rights, pedagogy, additional support needs, outdoor learning, and reflective practice, while applying your learning in real-world settings.
Whether you are at the beginning of your career in Early Learning and Childcare or already in practice and looking to build on your existing experience, this course provides a recognised pathway into the sector. Successful completion of this HNC enables registration with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) at Practitioner level, opening the door to a wide range of rewarding career opportunities. If you are passionate about supporting children to learn, develop and thrive, this Next Gen HNC Childhood Practice is an excellent first step towards a professional career in the sector.
*subject to approval
Special features
- Strong links with local employers
- Lecturers with real-world sector experience
- High-quality placements in Early Learning and Childcare settings
- Clear progression to degree-level study
- Curriculum shaped by current sector priorities
- Future-focused Next Gen qualification
- 2 Scottish Highers at grade C or above OR
- 1 A level at grade D or above
- These should preferably include English, PLUS
- 4 National 5s or Standard Grades at Credit level, or equivalent, one of which should be English if you do not have a Higher or A level
- Alternatively, the NC Early Education and Childcare/Childhood Practice or equivalent OR the completion of a Foundation Apprenticeship Social Services (Children and Young People)
- Prospective students without the standard entry requirements are encouraged to apply and will be considered on an individual basis
- This is a Category 1 PVG course: PVG Scheme membership is required to successfully achieve target qualification, where there is guaranteed contact with vulnerable groups in key elements of the course. For further information visit our PVG scheme webpage
- Experience in a relevant setting or similar work, either in a voluntary capacity or as an informal carer is essential
You will study the following modules:
- Additional support needs: positive support strategies for children and young people
- Developing reflective practice
- Health, safeguarding, wellbeing and rights
- Outdoor learning and sustainability
- Pedagogy in practice
- Placement
How will I study my course?
- Full-time
- 杏吧原创 North, West and Hebrides students will study online with scheduled sessions and tutorials
- For all other locations, this course is mainly delivered in-person, on campus
- Online study will be done via the university's virtual learning environment (VLE), with support from your tutors
- All students will attend placement for two days a week in addition to timetabled study days
How long will my course last?
- Full-time: 1 year @ 40 hours per week
The number of hours per week indicates the total number of hours you should dedicate to the course, which includes time spent on online material as well as individual study and research.
- Argyll
- Inverness
- Moray
- North, West and Hebrides - Online only
- Orkney
- Perth
- Shetland
- If you wish to study this course fully online you should apply to, and will be enrolled and supported by, 杏吧原创 North, West and Hebrides
Start date
- September
Fees
For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
This includes
- EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
- EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
- EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
| Higher National Awards (HNC, HND) | 2025-26 | 2026-27 |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time per year | £1,285 | £1,285 |
For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland, including Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) and with a term time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
| Higher National Awards (HNC, HND) | 2025-26 | 2026-27 |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time per year | £7,440 | £7,886 |
Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.
There are a number of funding options available to UK and EU students to help you pay for your studies and your cost of living while studying (see the Funding section opposite).
For students who do not normally reside in the UK, including EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled or pre-settled status in the UK, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
| Higher National Awards (HNC, HND) | 2025-26 | 2026-27 |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time per year | £8,925 | £9,460 |
Funding
杏吧原创 has a number of scholarships, bursaries, awards, and discretionary fund opportunities available to new and current students. Please use the A-Z of funds or use the filter to see which ones may be relevant to you. All students are welcome to apply.
Further information on funding your studies is also available, please see the attached link or contact the relevant 杏吧原创 partner.
Additional costs
You are encouraged to purchase a scrapbook to use as part of your 'Developing reflective practice' module.
What can I do on completion of my course?
Once you have successfully completed this course, you will be qualified to work as an Early Learning and Childcare Practitioner.
Can I progress into further study?
You may wish to progress from HNC Childhood Practice to year 2 of the following courses:
Apply for Childhood Practice HNC
We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.