HNC Applied Science (Biology)
The course is structured to be delivered over one academic year, consisting of 32 weeks split into two semesters of 16 weeks each.
To successfully complete the programme, students must complete each unit to be awarded the specified number of credits for that unit. One credit corresponds to approximately ten hours of ‘learning time’ (including all classes, private study and research).
You will study the following units:
- Fundamentals of Laboratory Techniques (core)
- Scientific Data Handling Approaches and Techniques (Core)
- Regulation and Quality in the Applied Sciences (Core)
- Cell Biology (Specialist unit)
- Fundamentals of Chemistry (Specialist unit)
- Anatomy and Human Physiology (Specialist unit)
- Fundamentals of Biochemistry
- Personal and Professional Development for ScientistsYou will gain several transferable skills, such as communication, teamwork, research and analysis, which are highly valued in higher education and the workplace.
Students will benefit from face-to-face delivery and tutorials, which provide interactive teaching and learning. Attendance on campus provides the opportunity to engage with campus communities and resources. Learners will have two days of on-campus delivery, totalling 11 hours of face-to-face delivery and tutorials. This will take place on Thursdays and Fridays at Reading College.
Partially studying remotely via distance learning will allow students to adapt their learning approach and enhance their digital skills, as well as provide the opportunity to ‘work from home’ for part of their programme. Learners will have one five-hour day of live remote delivery via our ALO platform on Wednesdays. These sessions will combine live online delivery with guided learning tasks from the tutors, and all sessions will be recorded.
Assessment Strategy
The course uses a variety of modes of assessment. Assessments are designed to replicate the kind of activity students would be expected to undertake in the workplace wherever possible.??
The following tools are therefore employed:
- Written assignments
- Individual presentations
- Group presentations
- Group assessments
- Peer assessment
- Portfolio assessment (including learning logs)
This multi-dimensional approach has the benefit that, as in work, students have the opportunity to develop and demonstrate their knowledge and skills in various ways. Also, students’ written, oral, and online communication skills will be tested, along with their capacity to work in a team and individually to set deadlines.
Feedback
Students will receive regular formative feedback, typically as part of the academic feedback sessions during the term. During the sessions, feedback will be provided verbally and in written form. Draft presentations and assignments will also be formatively assessed, and feedback will be provided before the summative assessment. Students will receive feedback on summative assessment within 15 working days of their submission deadline.
The Virtual Learning Environment
Students are supported by a wide range of learning resources made available via the Virtual Learning Environment (Activate Learning Online, ALO) enabling them to study wherever and whenever they want, on their laptop, tablet or smartphone.
Through Activate Learning Online (ALO) students can access a variety of high-quality study materials designed to support their learning. These include all essential reading including textbooks, articles and multimedia content such as videos. In addition:
- Recommended reading is available in electronic format, which can be read online or downloaded onto student devices for offline reading.
- All lectures are recorded and available online so that students can watch them on their laptops, tablets or smartphones, pause and review subject matter that they find difficult to understand and watch them again as revision.
- Interactive topic reviews are provided to help students self-assess their understanding of a subject at the start or end of a topic to help embed learning.
- Discussion forums for online discussion and debate are provided.
In addition to learning resources ALO also provides students with a gateway to a wide range of other resources to help them with their studies including news and announcements, timetables, support and guidance.
Library resources include full access to an online library that contains access to academic books and journals across a range of business-related subjects, disciplines and databases.
You will need to have achieved a full level 3 qualification in science. This could be from 3 A levels (at least two science subjects), an Extended Diploma in Science, Science T level or an Access to HE programme including at least two science subjects.
Your qualification, worth at least 96 UCAS points, can be gained through either:
- Three C grades at A level in at least 2 science subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths
- MMM grades in a BTEC/UAL/equivalent National Extended Diploma in a science- related qualification (e.g. Extended Diploma in Applied Science or Forensic Science, T Level Science, etc.)
- Minimum of 15 credits at Merit on a full Access to HE Diploma with at least 2 subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths
- Qualifications obtained outside the UK will be considered individually (all qualifications will be subject to ECCTIS checks).
Applicants will also be required to have achieved at least a grade 4/C in GCSE English language and maths.
A typical applicant might be expected to demonstrate at the commencement of his/her studies the following:
- a general interest in scientific theory and application of scientific knowledge
- a strong interest in developing their career
- a willingness to work collaboratively with others
- good oral and written communication skills
- a willingness to build knowledge and explore multiple scientific disciplines
- appropriate levels of numeracy and literacy
After studying for a Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Applied Sciences (Biology), students will have sound knowledge of the underpinning scientific concepts required for higher study and/or work in the sector. They will be competent in a range of subject-specific skills as well as general skills and qualities relevant to key areas of science and written communication.
Students who successfully achieve 120 credits on the HNC will be eligible to progress onto the top up HND (diploma) year, with a further option of a final year (level 6) of a degree programme. Higher education providers recognise the Level 5Higher National Diploma as meeting admission requirements to many relevant courses, for example:
- BSc (Hons) Life Sciences
- BSc (Hons) Biology / Biological Sciences / Human Biology
- BSc (Hons) Biochemistry / Biotechnology
- BSc (Hons) Ecology and Environmental Biology
- BSc (Hons) Microbiology / Molecular Biology
- BSc (Hons) Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Science / Conservation Biology
- BSc (Hons) Chemistry / Biochemistry
- BSc (Hons) Environmental Science / Chemistry
- BSc (Hons) Medicinal Chemistry
- BSc (Hons) Pharmacology / Pharmaceutical Science
- BSc (Hons) Food Science / Technology / Studies
- BSc (Hons) Forensic Science / Chemistry / Biology
- BSc (Hons) Nutrition and Dietetics
- BSc (Hons) Hydrology / Water Science
- BSc (Hons) Environmental Science / Health
Applied science graduates also have access to a range of career opportunities, including access to pharmaceuticals, biomedical science, animal science, laboratory science and research, and health and life sciences.
Below are some examples of job roles that this qualification could lead to:
- Technician Scientist
- Laboratory Technician
- Research Technician
- Quality Support Technician
- Technologist
- Science Technician
Fees for September 2025 entry are £6,500 per year for UK students.
Please note: Tuition fees are published for the first year of entry only and may increase in subsequent years for new students in line with an inflationary amount determined by the Office for Students.
There are a variety of funding options available to help finance your studies. If you are a UK (Home) student, you don’t have to pay your tuition fees upfront. The government provides loans to cover your full tuition fee. You may also be eligible for a maintenance loan to help cover living costs. Alternatively, your employer may pay your fees, or we could arrange a payment schedule if you will be paying your own fees.
Additional costs
Students are advised that they will need access to a laptop or PC. We recommend that you budget £100 a year for additional costs, such as stationary, to undertake your studies. You can borrow textbooks and access journals from the recommended reading lists from our Learning Resource Centres either physically on campus or, in most cases, online. If you choose to purchase textbooks, they may cost up to £60 each.