- Location
- Langside Campus
- SCQF Level
- 8
- Start Date
- 25 Aug 2025
- Qualification Type
- HND
- Course Type
- Full-Time
- Duration
- 2 Years (August to June)
Applications open 15th January 2025
HND Applied Biological Sciences is an intense and fascinating two-year course with a strong emphasis on biomedical laboratory work that complements the detailed study of scientific theory.
Through your committed participation in this programme, you will develop the skills sought after in a well-trained laboratory technician. The course provides you with excellent preparation for direct employment in research and technical support work in biomedical microbiological, pharmaceutical and food science industrial laboratories.
You can progress to a wide range of bioscience university courses, such as Biomedical Science, Biomolecular and Food Science degree programmes.
What will I learn?
HND Applied Biomedical Sciences course includes 15 HN credits covered each year. Example units are:
- Chemistry
- Cell biology
- Microbiology
- Microbiological techniques
- DNA and genetics
- DNA molecular techniques
- Human body structure and function
- Laboratory skills
- Research projects
- Statistics and Maths
- Human metabolism
- Immunological techniques
- Cellular signalling
- Protein structure and function
- Quality, health and safety systems in science industries.
Entry requirements (minimum)
- Minimum 1 Higher (Grade C) in either Chemistry or Biology/Human Biology, PLUS Nat 5 (Grade A/B) in Chemistry, Biology, Maths and English).
- Foundation Apprenticeship in Scientific Technologies will be considered in place of Higher Chemistry
- NQ/NC (Level 6) science course
- SWAP Access to Biological and Chemical Sciences
- SWAP Access to Health and Biological Sciences
- Higher ESOL (Grade A/B) will be required for any applicants whose first language is not English
- A suitable reference may be requested but will not be required as standard
- We will also consider your application if you have laboratory experience but no formal qualifications
- We will consider your application for direct entry on to the second year of this course if you have a relevant 15-credit HNC, please provide details of your HNC including a list of the completed units in your application.
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
A programme of Guest Speakers is arranged throughout the year to help students learn about different career paths available to them through this programme.
All our partner Universities have very strong links to Employment and Industry.
Many laboratory jobs are advertised with HND level as a minimum required qualification.
Articulation Routes
Glasgow Clyde College science department has formal articulation agreements with the following universities which allow you to progress directly into 3rd year of the degrees listed upon successful completion of the HND Biological Science.
Glasgow Caledonian University - Glasgow
- BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science
- BSc (Hons Biomedical Science P/T
- BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences
- BSc (Hons) Food Science
- BSc (Hons) Pharmacology
University of Strathclyde - Glasgow
- BSc (Hons) Biomolecular Science
University of the West of Scotland
- BSc (Hons) Applied Bioscience
- BSc (Hons) Applied Bioscience with Forensic Investigation
- BSc (Hons) Applied Bioscience and Zoology
- BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science
Queen Margaret University
- BA (Hons) Nutrition
Robert Gordon University – Aberdeen
- BSc (Hons) Applied Bioscience
- BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science
Certain progression criteria apply and these will be shared with students when applying to university.
Students are not limited to only applying for to the university courses listed above – students successfully completing the HND in Applied Biological Science have articulated into 3rd year of a variety of other degrees, including 3rd year BSc at University of Strathclyde in microbiology, immunology and pharmacology
Jobs and further study
Our students have progressed to a wide variety of programmes at Glasgow Caledonian University, University of the West of Scotland, University of Glasgow, University of Strathclyde, University of Stirling and other institutions throughout the country.
Take a look at the course progression map for science courses.
You will have the potential to move on to science jobs in NHS biomedical laboratories, research and industrial laboratories, biotechnology, chemical, microbiological, pharmaceutical, and environmental industries.
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 and we will be in contact as per the following stages:
- You will be invited to attend an interview. Please bring your qualifications, references and photographic identification with you
- Interviews will take place from March through to June.
Outcomes
You will be informed of the outcome by email within 10 working days after the interview. There are four possible outcomes:
- Unconditional offer: you have met all the entry requirements and your place is guaranteed
- Conditional offer: your place is secured, pending meeting the entry requirements
- Waiting list: you have met all entry requirements, however, the course is full. If any spaces become available you may be contacted.
- Unsuccessful: you have not met the entry criteria or did not meet the necessary level at the skills test. You can call the Student Advice Centre to discuss alternative options.
Once an offer is received, you must reply within 10 working days or risk losing your place.
If a place is unavailable at your first choice of campus, you may be offered a place at one of our other campuses and you must respond to this within 10 working days.
Once you have accepted your offer, you will be sent further details such as start date, joining instruction, induction date and funding information.