Childhood Practice HNC
Course code: 173X
Study mode: You study most days of the week and complete all course units /modules in the standard time., You take fewer course units/modules per week compared to full time.
Course type: HNC
International: Not eligible for international students
Study at: Argyll; Inverness; Moray; North, West and Hebrides; Orkney; Perth; Shetland
Start in: January; September
Learning mode: You attend classes in person at your 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; Part-time: 2 years
How: You attend classes at scheduled times, shown on your timetable.
What is special about this course?
If you enjoy working with children and would like to make a difference to their formative years, the HNC Childhood Practice is the ideal course for you.
This is a nationally recognised qualification and valued award for people who want to work in a variety of early learning and childcare settings, supporting children and young people with varying needs.
This course will give you a deep understanding of working with children and young people, and will help you to integrate knowledge and theory into practice, including the importance of anti-discriminatory practice, in line with the National Care Standards and Scottish Social Services Council Codes of Practice.
On successful completion you will be eligible to register with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) at practitioner level.
Special features
- You will undertake a 60-day work placement which includes completion of three units from the SVQ 3 Social Services: Children and Young People
- The course meets the registration requirements set by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) for those working in a day care or children's services setting
- You can study full-time or part-time (at some campuses) to suit your own personal circumstances
- At certain campuses individual units can be studied as continuous professional development (CPD)
Entry requirements
- 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
- For part-time study at UHI North, West and Hebrides (Stornoway only), applicants must be employed in a suitable setting. To discuss options or apply for part-time study, please contact UHI North, West and Hebrides admissions
Access routes
- NC Early Education and Childcare or equivalent
Mandatory units are:
- Care in contemporary society
- Leadership starts with me
- Health wellbeing and safeguarding
- Lifespan development theoretical approaches
- Promote effective communication
- Promote health, safety and security in the work setting
- Develop your practice through reflection and learning
- Support for play learning and development or playwork opportunities
- Graded unit 1
Three options units must be taken which may include some of the following:
- Promoting language, literacy and numeracy
- Collaborative working
- Supporting children and young people’s behaviour
- Supporting children and young people with additional support needs
- Play
- Working with children 0-3
- Working with children 3-5
- Working with children 5-8
Option units available may vary depending on study location, for more information contact your chosen campus.
How will I study my course?
- Full-time
- Part-time (structured): available at certain campuses
- Part-time (unstructured): available at certain campuses
- You will learn through a combination of face-to-face and video conference lectures, and online study via the university’s virtual learning environment (VLE)
How long will my course last?
- Full-time: 1 year
- Part-time (structured): 2 years
- Argyll
- Inverness
- Moray
- North, West and Hebrides - Online
- Orkney - full-time only
- Perth
- Shetland
Start date
- September
- January - part-time at UHI North, West and Hebrides, Stornoway campus only. To apply for this, you must be employed in a suitable setting. To discuss options or apply for part-time study, please contact UHI North, West and Hebrides admissions
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 |
| Part-time (per HN credit) | £86 | £86 |
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 |
| Part-time (per HN credit) | £496 | £526 |
Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.
There are a number of funding options available to UK students to help you pay for your studies and your cost of living while studying.
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 |
| Part-time (per HN credit) | £595 | £630 |
Part-time study is not open to international student requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK.
Funding
UHI 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 UHI partner.
What can I do on completion of my course?
The HNC Childhood Practice will improve your career prospects in a range of early learning and childcare settings.
Can I progress into further study?
You will be able to progress onto a variety of degree courses, following successful interview, such as:
- BA (Hons) Child and Youth Studies or, after some experience in the workplace, the BA (Hons) Childhood Practice
- Further progression into teacher training may also be an option, subject to the required entry qualifications
I had tremendous support throughout my degree. This support was invaluable to get me through my degree. From academic support to support personally, this is what helped me through. Studying my degree really helped me in my career. It gave me the confidence to carry out the role I am in. I gained an insight into understanding aspects of childcare and what guidance is out there to support practitioners and managers in their role.
The best thing about UHI is the support from both students and staff! Your fellow students are one of the best resources you have and being able to support each other through this is something I won't forget. UHI has been with me from access course to degree and will always be the first place I recommend to anyone wanting to learn. It felt personal and friendly and I’m not sure I would get that at any other different university.
Liam studied the HNC Childhood Practice before progressing to the BA Childhood Practice at UHI Perth.
I have really enjoyed this course. Our lecturers are extremely helpful and supportive which makes learning fun. I like the flexibility on offer. I can attend in person or online at home.
I am a hands-on learner, so being on placement at a nursery was very helpful. I am now a nursery employee and can fit this in with my studies. I plan to continue with the Child and Youth Studies degree and then possibly do a PGDE in primary teaching.
Lauren studied the HNC Childhood Practice at UHI North, West and Hebrides.
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.