Level 4 HNC Certificate in Applied Sciences (Biology)
Cambridge, United Kingdom
Certificate
DURATION
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2026
STUDY FORMAT
Key Summary
About: This Level 4 HNC in Applied Sciences (Biology) at Cambridge Regional College combines practical lab training and academic study. Study full-time or part-time, earn RSciTech award (Royal Society of Chemistry), and progress to the BTEC Level 5 HND or to degrees like BSc (Hons) Life Sciences, Biology or Forensic Science. With a Higher Apprenticeship, HNC and HND run over 42 months.
Career Outcomes: Graduates enter biologically based industries or continue study. Roles include Laboratory Technician, Research Technician and Technician Scientist. Progress to undergraduate study, quality control or research support. Employers value practical lab skills, technical competence and safety compliance.
This Higher National Certificate Level 4 is offered either on a full-time or part-time basis and will provide you with specialist scientific practical techniques training alongside the development of academic knowledge and understanding. Practical sessions are run in specialist laboratories with skilled lecturers in their chosen fields. There is the opportunity to gain additional qualifications such as the RSciTech award with the Royal Society of Chemistry. Trips are also offered to local science laboratories.
This qualification is designed to provide you with the skills and knowledge for successful employment in biologically-based industries or further education and training for biological scientists currently employed in various technical work. It may also enable progression to an undergraduate degree or further professional qualifications or the BTEC Level 5 HND Diploma in Applied Sciences at Cambridge Regional College.
Students can also take the course in conjunction with a Higher Apprenticeship standard at Level 5 (Technician Scientist) if you are currently employed in the science industry. This course will run over 42 months and include HNC and HND qualifications.
After completing the qualification, students could complete the BTEC Level 5 HND Diploma in Applied Sciences at CRC and then progress onto a variety of degree programmes such as BSc (Hons) Life Sciences; BSc (Hons) Biology / Biological Sciences / Human Biology; BSc (Hons) Forensic Science / Chemistry / Biology; BSc (Hons) Nutrition and Dietetics.
Students could also progress in employment, e.g., Technician Scientist; Laboratory Technician; Research Technician; Development Technician; Manufacturing Technician; Science Technician.
