Frequently asked questions

Articulation is the process of using your college qualification to move into university without starting from first year. Articulation routes - sometimes called Advanced Standing or Direct Entry - let you enter a university course in year two or three.

If you follow an articulation route, there’s no repetition in what you study. This means you can achieve an honours degree in four years or an ordinary degree in three years.

An HNC is a one-year college course. It’s the same level as the first year of university.

An HND is a two-year course that’s the same level as the second year of university. You’ll study an HNC in the first year of your HND.

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) level shows how advanced a qualification is. It helps you compare different levels of study.

For example:

• Highers are SCQF Level 6
• an HNC is SCQF Level 7 - the same level as first year of most university courses
• an HND is SCQF Level 8 - the same level as second year of most university courses

Articulation routes from colleges and universities across Scotland are continually being added to this website. If you can’t find the college or university you’re looking for, they may have articulation agreements which haven’t been added to our website yet.

You should contact colleges and universities directly to find out more about their specific articulation routes. If you prefer, you can return to our search later to view any additional articulation routes that have been added.

Some courses cannot have articulation routes. This happens due to a mismatch between course content, accreditation rules or placement requirements.

These courses are not included on our website as they’re specifically designed to help people enter the first year of university. Articulation routes help learners move into the second or third year of university.

Yes, sometimes. Colleges and universities update their agreements on our website, which means a pathway can change or finish if a course is removed.

We work hard to keep our information up to date. Although, it’s always a good idea to check with the college or university to make sure the pathway you want is still available.

Universities have different policies on how recent your qualifications must be. Always check with the university’s admissions team directly to find out whether they’ll accept your qualification and which year it allows you to enter.

Not always. Each college can run HNC and HND courses differently - universities will look closely at what you’ve studied.

The same HNC or HND course at a different college may still allow you to access the degree. Ultimately, the university will decide which year you can enter. Always check with the university’s admissions team directly to find out whether they’ll accept your HNC or HND and which year it’ll allow you to start on.

No, completing your HNC or HND does not guarantee you a place at university.

Universities set their own entry requirements, so these may vary. Requirements can include achieving certain grades in assessments or completing specific modules.

Some courses may also ask for things required of all applicants, such as an interview, audition, or portfolio.

You will need to apply through UCAS and meet the usual application deadlines.

Yes. The Open University offers credit transfer for relevant HNCs and HNDs.

Some degrees are delivered on college campuses, in partnership with universities. The degree is always awarded by the university.