Overview
What will I study?
You will study a range of modules made up of compulsory, specialist and optional modules. Covering everything from Inorganic Chemistry to the Fundamentals of Biochemistrys, you will be equipped with the skills needed to progress into a range of industry specialist roles. In total, you will study 120 credits over the two years.
How will I study?
You will study at University Centre St Helens for one day per week, as an extended day, for two years. The qualification typically runs on a Wednesday, from 9.00am - 8.00pm, with appropriate breaks.
How will I be assessed?
The HNC Applied Chemistry employs a range of assessment methods. Typically, these include written reports, coursework, exams, group projects, presentations and posters. The exact type of assessment employed will vary from module to module and will also be determined, in part, by your choice of optional modules.
Who will be teaching me?
Experienced lecturers, who are industry experts, with a natural passion for their subject, will be teaching you. As industry experienced professionals, the lecturing team understand the commitments students make when combining part-time study with employment commitments.
Entry Criteria
Entry Requirements
For 2021 entry, you should have:
- A BTEC Level 3 Diploma/Extended Diploma in Applied Science (with a minimum grade of MM/MMM)
- A GCE level profile that demonstrates strong performance in a relevant subject (or adequate performance in more than one subject). Required grades: GCE A level Chemistry at grade D or above, or GCE A/AS level Chemistry at grade C or above, alongside other relevant A/AS levels such as Biology/Physics/Maths
- An Access to HE Certificate in a relevant subject
- For mature learners, related work experience will be taken into consideration
- GCSE A-C in English, maths and science
Prior Learning and Experience
University Centre St Helens welcomes applications from mature students (aged 21+) and students from a varied range of backgrounds and experience. Offers of a place on the degree will not be based solely upon academic qualifications alone and related skills gained in the workplace will also be considered.
Additional Entry Requirements
All suitably qualified applicants will be invited to attend an interview. Your interview is designed to be an informal meeting and will also provide an opportunity for you to discuss and explore your career interests with the Programme Leader.
Information for International Applicants
If you are a non-EU/EEA/Swiss national, you may need to apply for a Tier 4 visa in order to enter and study in the UK. However, please note that University Centre St Helens does not hold a Tier 4 Sponsor Licence to support student visa applications.
Modules
Modules
Fundamentals of Laboratory Techniques (15 credits)
You will undertake chromatography, qualitative infrared spectroscopy, titration, quantitative spectroscopy, microscopy, aseptic technique and synthetic chemistry techniques. The unit will allow you to develop confidence in writing laboratory reports and carrying out risk assessments of practical work.
Scientific Data Handling Approaches and Techniques (15 credits)
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to employ mathematical methods within a variety of contextualised examples, interpret data using statistical techniques, and use analytical and computational methods to evaluate and solve scientific problems.
Regulation and Quality in the Applied Sciences (15 credits)
All employees, including apprentices, must recognise the importance of regulation and quality in their organisation. This unit allows you to investigate legislative compliance, external regulatory bodies, internal regulatory and quality management systems and international standards.
Inorganic Chemistry (15 credits)
Inorganic chemistry is the study of the chemical behaviour of all the non-carbon elements, and their compounds, found in the periodic table. You will understand the fundamental properties of atoms, how atoms combine to form inorganic compounds and the behaviour of these compounds.
In addition to this, you will carry out a range of practical activities that will enable you to synthesise, characterise and analyse inorganic compounds.
Organic Chemistry (15 credits)
Organic chemistry is the study of carbon-containing compounds. Organic compounds are ubiquitous in our daily lives; they can be found in our household products, our medicines, our fuels, as well as throughout nature. You will learn how organic compounds are chemically bonded, and how the presence of particular sets of atoms and bonds control the reactivity of those compounds. You will also learn how organic chemists explain organic reactions by looking closely at organic reaction mechanisms.
Physical Chemistry (15 credits)
Physical chemistry is the study of how matter behaves at the atomic and molecular scale. Physical chemistry, therefore, underpins the study of both organic and inorganic chemistry and, in a broader sense, underpins the study of biological systems.
In this unit, you will learn how thermodynamics is used to predict whether chemical reactions take place.
Fundamentals of Biochemistry (15 credits) - Specialist Unit
Biochemistry is the study of chemical substances and vital processes that occur in living organisms. It involves the study of the structure and function of cellular components, such as proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, and other biomolecules, and their functions and transformations during life processes. Its main objective is to understand how biomolecules relate to a particular process within a living cell.
This unit serves as an introduction to the fundamentals of biochemistry with emphasis on the structure of biomolecules in the cell.
Work-Based Investigation (15 Credits) - Specialist Unit
This unit gives students the opportunity to plan, undertake, monitor progress of and communicate the outcomes of a work-related investigative project. Students who are employed in the Applied Sciences sector should carry out a relevant practical investigation at work. Those on the programmes who are not working or do not have access to a significant placement in the sector can undertake the investigation on a work-related topic within the College laboratory.
Careers and Progression Routes
Career Prospects
Upon successful completion of the HNC Applied Chemistry, you will be able to progress into a range of specialist roles.
This qualification is recognised by employers nationally and can enhance promotional opportunities in supervisory, junior and middle management positions.
Progression Routes
Students who successfully complete the HNC may choose to continue their learning by progressing on to a HND or Foundation Degree in a relevant subject.
Finance
Part-time
For 2022 entry, the tuition fee for part-time is £3,250 per year.
Financial Support
Subject to eligibility, students can apply for a tuition fee loan from Student Finance England to cover the full cost of tuition fees, which means you don't have to pay anything upfront and there's nothing to pay back until you're qualified and earning over £524 a week, £2,274 a month or £27,295 a year. You may also be eligible to apply for additional funding to help with living costs. Visit our finance support page for more information.
Additional Costs
Below sets out examples of extra costs you may incur on this programme of study to enhance your studies.
| Optional Items |
Estimated Costs |
| Travel to course related work placements, work experience, voluntary work or site visits. |
None |
| Costs of obtaining medical or other evidence to support applications for extenuating circumstance applications relating to assessments. |
None |
| Printing costs eg. electronic books, journals, reports, course materials and other course documents. |
Approx. £20 per year. |
| Trips |
None |
| Equipment |
White laboratory coat (optional). £15-20 dependent on the supplier. |
| Volunteering opportunities for additional personal development |
None |
Apply
Apply Now
To apply, please complete our part-time application form here: www.sthelens.ac.uk/apply-part-time-he.
Would you like to speak to someone before making your decision?
Call 0800 99 66 99 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and our team will be more than happy to help.
