This course will help you understand the world around you by exploring meaningful contemporary issues, while developing strong academic, digital and analytical skills. You’ll build confidence in research, communication and critical thinking — skills valued by employers across Scotland — and gain a solid foundation for progressing to university or starting a career in social care, education, community work and other people-focused sectors.
You’ll explore a broad mix of social science subjects to understand people, society and meaningful contemporary issues. You’ll examine social problems through an evidence-based approach, studying criminology, sociology, psychology, history and politics to understand behaviour, inequality, social change and how decisions shape everyday life.
Alongside subject knowledge, you’ll develop key meta-skills such as critical thinking, adaptability, problem solving and self-management. You’ll also build strong core skills including communication, numeracy, digital literacy, research skills and academic practice — all essential for further study and employment.
Everything you need to know before applying to this course.
Or
HNC Social Sciences with Criminology (SCQF Level 7)
This is an SQA NextGen course.
NextGen is a new approach to Higher National (HN) qualifications introduced by the SQA and designed to be adaptable and flexible to respond to the needs of the employment market.
If English is not your first language, please view the specific English language requirements for this course.
If you are studying a full-time advanced course (HNC, HND or above), you may be entitled to funding.
You can apply for a full-time course online or using a paper form.
Open Days are a great way to find out more about this course and what it’s like to study at NESCol. You will see facilities, meet lecturers and get a feel for life as a student.
Our next Open Day will take place on Saturday 14 March from 10am – 2pm.
NESCol can provide extra support to students who have additional support needs, including:
You may be eligible for additional funding to support the cost of living, including travel costs, cost of materials, and childcare.
Find out more about the types of funding and whether you are eligible here
This course is a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) programme. This means that you are required to have access to your own laptop computer, netbook or similar device in class each day that you are in college.
If you do not already own a suitable device you can apply for a student loan from SAAS, if eligible, to fund the cost of purchasing a device.
A bus is available to Fraserburgh Campus from a number of locations for a fee. Please contact collegetransport@nescol.ac.uk for more information.
Whether you wish to progress in your studies or enter the world of work, North East Scotland College has excellent progression opportunities, with links to several universities across Scotland and strong relationships with industry employers.
On successful completion of this course, you may apply to progress to the Social Sciences HND.
Our university partnerships ensure a smooth progression to further study. Subject to meeting conditions, entry to the following degree may be possible after completing this course:
“I wanted to show my son that anything is possible, and I got a great sense of achievement from attending classes, studying, and learning something new.”
“It’s been a journey to get to where I am, even becoming a mum in between, but I’m so happy I’ve done it!”
“I met a lot of lovely people on the course, some were adult returners like me, but I also got on well with a lot of the younger students and we had some excellent discussions and debates. “
“I really came out of my shell throughout my years of studying and have made many memories!”
“I’d advocate the brilliant experience that is North East Scotland College to anyone thinking about returning to learning. “
“NESCol gave me the knowledge, skills, and most importantly, the self-belief to continue my studies at university.”
“I absolutely loved my time at NESCol. It was a much better fit for me than school and a great environment to learn in.
“I’m so glad that I came to NESCol because it really has been a life changing experience. I think Social Sciences is a great place to be if you’re curious about the world or if there’s something that really frustrates you about the system and you’d really like to see it change. Studying an HND in Social Sciences really helped me to see the world in a better light. The department has such down to earth, friendly, normal staff and I would jump at the chance to finish my studies at the college if I could. Choose College – it really is a wonderful place!”
“My time at college helped me see that I actually wanted to study psychology at university rather than a more broad-based social sciences course. If I hadn’t gone to college first, I wouldn’t have had the chance to discover that so I’m really glad I had the opportunity to properly explore the subject area before making a final decision.”
“I found my time at college to be the perfect link between leaving school and starting university. The course was interesting, the assessments were rigorous and gave me the skills to work alone, as well as part of a group, which served me well at university. The lecturers were engaging and treated students as adults which created a good atmosphere for learning.”
North East Scotland College offers hundreds of courses each year, apply for one now.
You can apply for a place on this course by completing an online application form, which you can access using the ‘Apply Online’ button. Once submitted, this will be processed by our Admissions team.
Alternatively, you can complete a paper application and send it to us.
If you take up a place on a College course, at the start of the course you will be asked to complete an enrolment form. In completing the form and/or taking up a place on a College course, you will enter into a contract with the College and be bound by the North East Scotland College Standard Terms and Conditions of Study. Copies of the Terms and Conditions are available for inspection on notice boards and at various locations throughout the College, at the College Reception, on the College website: nescol.ac.uk, or can be obtained on request from the Student Funding and Admissions Manager, North East Scotland College, Aberdeen City Campus, Gallowgate, Aberdeen AB25 1BN. Please note that courses are offered subject to (a) there being sufficient numbers of enrolments and (b) the availability of resources. The College reserves its right (i) not to run courses where the number of students is considered insufficient or where resources are unavailable and (ii) in certain circumstances, to refuse admission to an individual applicant.
Here are some courses you may also be interested in.
