SWAP Access to Zoology, Marine Biology and Environmental Science
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Location:
Coatbridge
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Duration:
37 weeks
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Time:
09:00 - 16:00
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Mode:
Full-time
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Starting:
17 August 2026
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SCQF level:6
Overview
If you share our passion for animals and the environment and you would like to start your journey to become the next Attenborough then look no further! If your career ambitions include reintroducing species in the wild, surveying whales and dolphins and monitoring their health, investigating the impact of climate change on wildlife and much more this is the course for you. You will learn animal biology and behaviour and how animals interact with their environment, giving you the foundations for your future career.
This course will help you to progress onto university to study zoology, marine and freshwater biology, ecology, environmental science and management and other similar courses with the option to progress onto life sciences courses as an alternative.
You have also the option to progress onto our HNC Bioscience course.
Entry
This course is for anyone who would like to pursue a career in science, especially if you have an interest in zoology, marine and freshwater biology, ecology or environmental science and conservation. Applicants who have been out of formal education and with few or no qualifications may be considered for this course.
The course is supported through SWAP (Scottish Wider Access Programme). All eligible applicants will be invited for an interview.
As a Scottish Wider Access Programme (SWAP) Science student you will be in the position to apply to many degree programmes in the West of Scotland and beyond. SWAP university partners in the West are:
Glasgow University;
Strathclyde University;
University of the West of Scotland;
Glasgow Caledonian University;
Stirling University and
Scotland Rural College SRUC.
Successful students with a positive team progression reference can also remain at college progressing on to HNC/HND level courses.
Please note that to apply for this course you must have been out of education for at least THREE years as this is a SWAP programme.
Learn
On this course, you will cover a number of units including:
- Biology
- Ecology
- Chemistry
- Maths
- Communications
You will be assessed on an ongoing basis using practical assessments, assignments and short closed-book assessments. There is no final examination.
Where can I go from here?
Graduates of this course will be able to go directly into the following courses:
HNC Healthcare Practice
- Location:Coatbridge, Motherwell, Cumbernauld
- Duration:36 weeks
- Mode:Full-time
- Starting:24 August 2026
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SCQF level:7
HNC Social Services
- Location:Motherwell, Coatbridge, Cumbernauld
- Duration:36 weeks
- Mode:Full-time
- Starting:24 August 2026
-
SCQF level:7
Dental Nursing - Level 5
- Location:Coatbridge
- Duration:36 weeks
- Mode:Full-time
- Starting:17 August 2026
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SCQF level:5
SWAP Access to Nursing
- Location:Cumbernauld, Motherwell, Coatbridge
- Duration:36 weeks
- Mode:Full-time
- Starting:17 August 2026
-
SCQF level:6
HNC Dental Nursing
- Location:Coatbridge
- Duration:36 weeks
- Mode:Full-time
- Starting:24 August 2026
-
SCQF level:7
HNC Counselling
- Location:Coatbridge
- Duration:36 weeks
- Mode:Full-time
- Starting:24 August 2026
-
SCQF level:7
Dental Nursing - Level 6
- Location:Coatbridge
- Duration:36 weeks
- Mode:Full-time
- Starting:17 August 2026
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SCQF level:6
Pathways to Animal Biology and Science
- Location:Coatbridge
- Duration:37 weeks
- Mode:Full-time
- Starting:17 August 2026
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SCQF level:4
Access to Social Services
- Location:Coatbridge
- Duration:36 weeks
- Mode:Full-time
- Starting:17 August 2026
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SCQF level:6
Introduction to Counselling-1
- Location:Coatbridge
- Duration:36 weeks
- Mode:Full-time
- Starting:17 August 2026
-
SCQF level:6
SWAP Access to Social Work
- Location:Coatbridge
- Duration:36 weeks
- Mode:Full-time
- Starting:17 August 2026
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SCQF level:6
HND Counselling
- Location:Coatbridge
- Duration:36 weeks
- Mode:Full-time
- Starting:24 August 2026
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SCQF level:8
SWAP Access to Paramedic Science and Health
- Location:Motherwell
- Duration:37 weeks
- Mode:Full-time
- Starting:17 August 2026
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SCQF level:6
Certificate in Health and Social Care
- Location:Cumbernauld, Coatbridge, Motherwell
- Duration:18, 36 weeks
- Mode:Full-time
- Starting:25 January 2026, 17 August 2026
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SCQF level:5
NQ Psychology and Understanding Mental Health
- Location:Cumbernauld, Motherwell
- Duration:37, 36 weeks
- Mode:Full-time
- Starting:17 August 2026
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SCQF level:6
Access to Dental Nursing
- Location:Coatbridge
- Duration:36 weeks
- Mode:Full-time
- Starting:17 August 2026
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SCQF level:4
Health & Social Care: Theory and Practice
- Location:Cumbernauld, Coatbridge, Motherwell
- Duration:36 weeks
- Mode:Full-time
- Starting:17 August 2026
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SCQF level:6
Preparing to work in Social Services and Healthcare – SVQ 2
- Location:Cumbernauld
- Duration:36 weeks
- Mode:Full-time
- Starting:17 August 2026
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SCQF level:6
Womens Health and Wellbeing Across the Lifespan
- Location:Online
- Duration:2 weeks
- Mode:Open/Distance Learning
- Starting:02 June 2026
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SCQF level:7
BSc Dental Nursing
- Location:Coatbridge
- Duration:36 weeks
- Mode:Full-time
- Starting:24 August 2026
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SCQF level:7