- Location
- Cardonald Campus
- SCQF Level
- 7
- Start Date
- 25 Aug 2025
- Qualification Type
- HNC
- Course Type
- Full-Time
- Duration
- 1 Year (August to June)
Applications open 15th January 2025
HNC Social Services (SCQF Level 7), formerly known as HNC Social Care, is for those interested in a career in social care or those already employed within a care setting who may wish to undertake a formal qualification. It involves both practical and theoretical work and will equip you to work effectively in a range of care settings, supporting a variety of people in need of care and assistance within society.
You will undertake a work experience placement during the course. This course meets the criteria for Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) registration as a care practitioner.
What will I learn?
During the HNC Social Services course you will gain an understanding of the values and principles of social care and will learn how to integrate those values with the necessary skills, knowledge and reflection.
Areas of study covered include:
- Care in contemporary society
- Leadership
- Health, wellbeing and safeguarding
- Lifespan development theoretical approaches
- Promoting health, safety and security in the work setting
- Developing your practice through reflection and learning
- Promoting effective communication
- Care practice
To support your learning, you will also undertake a social care placement as part of the course.
Entry requirements (minimum)
Essential
- NC/NQ Social Care (Level 6); OR
- Two Highers, or equivalent, to include English plus one other (e.g. Psychology or Modern Studies). Other equivalent Level 6 qualifications will be considered.
- One supportive and verifiable reference
- You should be 18 years or older by the end of December due to PVG and protection legislation
Desirable
- Relevant practical experience, either in a paid or a voluntary capacity, in a recognised care organisation or professional care setting would be an advantage.
- You may still be considered if you don't have formal qualifications but do have relevant work/care experience and you have successfully completed a written task
Due to the number of internal candidates progressing from the NQ Social Care Level 6 course, places on this course may be limited.
Entry requirement equivalency table
- If you do not meet the entry criteria for your chosen course, you may be offered an alternative course in the same subject area.
Employer and industry links
Glasgow Clyde College has very strong links and partnerships with a range of care providers, supporting people in need with issues related to:
- Mental health and mental illness
- Homelessness and poverty
- Inequality and discrimination
- Teenagers and adolescence
- Drugs and alcohol
- Transitioning and change
- Loss and grief
- Gender and sexuality
- Abuse and protection
- Sex work and sexual exploitation
- Children and families
- Hearings and court
- Trauma and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PDST)
- Offending and criminality
- Residential and secure living
- Modern slavery and trafficking
- Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and child abuse survival
- Learning difficulty and disability
- Dementia and cognitive impairment
- Counselling and therapy
- End-of-life and palliative care
- Dysfunction and alienation.
Jobs and further study
Successful students may progress to:
- First year entry to BA/MA Social Work at the University of Dundee, University of Stirling and University of Strathclyde (Glasgow School of Social Work)
- First year entry to BA Social Work (Scotland), Open University
- BA/BSc Health and Social Care at the Open University
- Advanced entry to 2nd year BA Social Work at Glasgow Caledonian University
- Second year entry to the BA Education and Social Services at the University of Strathclyde
- Second year entry to the MA Health and Social Policy at the University of Glasgow (Dumfries Campus)
- Second year entry to HND Additional Support Needs
- Second year entry to BA Integrated Public Services at the University of West of Scotland
- SVQ Level 3 Social Services (Children and Young People) or SVQ Level 3 Social Services and Healthcare.
Take a look at the course progression map for social care and counselling courses.
It may be possible to progress to employment within the care sector as a support worker / key worker.
Making an application
For courses starting in August, you can make up to two applications.
Applications are made to a course and a first choice of campus. If the course is oversubscribed at your first choice you will be automatically considered for alternative sites and may be made an offer without a further application.
I've applied — what happens next?
When you apply
You will receive an automated email confirming that we have received your application (remember to check your junk/SPAM folder if you do not hear from us).
Your application will be reviewed by the admissions team and you will either be:
- Made a direct offer (unconditional or conditional). Selection will be by assessment of qualifications, experience, and personal statement. Please make your Personal Statement in the application form as detailed as possible, this should include why you are applying for this course, your reasons for wanting to work in social care and why you think you are suited to undertake a social care course. Application forms will be checked for current and/or pending qualifications and must be completed fully and accurately.
- Advised that your application is unsuccessful – you have not met the entry requirements for this course and are advised to contact the College Student Advice Centres to discuss alternative options which may be available to you.
- We aim not to reject an application and if you don’t meet the entry requirements you may be referred to a different course or level.
If you are invited to interview, you will be informed of the outcome of your interview by email within 14 working days. The outcome will be one of the following:
- Unconditional offer of a place – you have met all the entry requirements and your place is guaranteed. You will be required to accept this offer to secure your place.
- Conditional offer of a place – your place is secured pending you meeting the entry requirements. This may mean achieving school or college qualifications which you may not be able to provide to us yet. You will be required to accept this offer to secure your conditional place. Once your conditions are met this will change to an unconditional offer of a place which you must accept before you can enrol on the course.
- Waiting list – you have met all entry requirements, and have been interviewed however, the course is now full so you have been placed on a waiting list. If any spaces become available you may be contacted, usually around the course start date. We would advise that you also consider other application options.
- Reserve list – following your interview, you have unfortunately not been successful in this round of recruitment. We have placed your name on a Reserve list and your application may be reconsidered at a later date. This could happen any time up to the start date of the course but it is very possible that you will not be offered a place. We would advise that you also consider other application options.
- Unsuccessful – your interview has been unsuccessful. You may be offered a place on a course at a different level, or advised to contact the College Student Advice Centres to discuss alternative options which may be available to you.
Once an offer is received, you must reply within 14 working days or risk losing your place, as the system will automatically decline your offer after 14 days.
Once you have accepted your offer, you will be sent out instructions about student funding, joining instructions and induction date. This will normally be sent out in advance of induction sessions, which will be held for successful applicants in May, June and August 2024 depending on the timing of your application.
If a place is unavailable at your chosen campus, you may be offered a place at one of our other campuses and you must respond to this within the timescale above.
This course involves a placement element which requires that if successful, you will be entered into the PVG scheme administered by Disclosure Scotland. Both the placement and the PVG check will be organised (and PVG costs met) by the college. This check will be carried out before undertaking work experience. If you have any offences that may be recorded on a Disclosure Scotland check, you should discuss this with staff at the interview, as this may affect your opportunities for course placement and for future employment within a care setting.