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HNC: Health Care Practice

This course provides the underpinning knowledge for healthcare support workers and can provide an entry route to degrees in nursing, midwifery, and allied health professions. The course includes mandatory assessed placements within a healthcare setting, which may be within hospital wards and care homes, and will require you to work various shift patterns (not night shift).

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Level:

SCQF Level 7

Study Mode:

  • Full time

Location:

  • Dunfermline City Campus
  • Levenmouth

Start Date:

Aug 2025

Duration:

  • One year full-time
  • Dunfermline and Levenmouth Campus

What skills will I learn?

  • Problem solving
  • Communication
  • Basic clinical skills
  • Professionalism 

What will I study?

  • Therapeutic Relationships
  • Clinical Skills 
  • The Human Body
  • Sociology for Health in Scotland 
  • Graded Unit 1
  • Safe Working Practice for care
  • Mental Health
  • Professional Standards for Care Practice 
  • Understanding Personal and Professional Development

Application Information

What further study options are available?

  • HND: Additional Support Needs: Managing and Supporting the Services SCQF Level 8.

It is possible to progress on to a degree at university from this course - see our HE and Degree Pathways guide for more information. These include:
  • BSc Nursing (Adult and Mental Health only)
  • BSc Psychology
  • BSc Paramedic Science

  • If you are applying to a university for Nursing or Midwifery, then please check with the university of your choice to confirm their maths/numeracy entry requirements, alongside your HNC Healthcare Practice.

What career opportunities are there?

  • Employment in local authority, private and voluntary childcare settings at practitioner level.
  • Healthcare Support Worker in NHS.