Paving the way for degree study

Higher national students in four construction subjects will now be able to progress to degree courses under an agreement between UHI and The Robert Gordon University (RGU) in Aberdeen.

A new route has been built for construction students with UHI Millennium Institute to progress from higher national courses to degree programmes.

Higher national students in four construction subjects will now be able to progress to degree courses under an agreement between UHI and The Robert Gordon University (RGU) in Aberdeen.

The first batch of courses in the progression scheme were recently signed for HND architectural technology, HND quantity surveying and HND construction management into stage three of the BSc/BSc honours construction design and management programmes, and HNC civil engineering into stage two of the same degree courses.

The agreements were arranged by Kenny Macleod, construction subject network leader based at Inverness College UHI.

He said: "This means that any UHI student completing their higher national studies in these subject areas will be guaranteed a place in the BSc/BSc (Hons) programme at RGU.

"The benefit of the scheme is that local students, who are unsure of going to university and may not have the direct entry qualifications, can remain at home and study at higher national level for two years.

"This will afford them the opportunity to go directly into their chosen careers with top qualifications, or further their studies at degree level with RGU.

"We run excellent courses which are helping to meet local and national demand for skilled professionals in construction; also, our flexible study options, which include an e-learning package, have attracted students from across the region, including Argyll, Lochaber, Shetland and the Western Isles".

UHI principal, Professor Bob Cormack, and Professor Michael Pittilo, principal and vice-chancellor of The Robert Gordon University, signed a Memorandum of Agreement early last year".

"It paves the way for students on a whole range of HND courses at UHI (where UHI does not currently offer that subject at degree level) to progress straight into RGU degree programmes".

Iain Morrison, UHI assistant registrar for lifelong learning and vice-chair of the North Forum for widening participation in higher education, said: "The scheme fits in perfectly with our aim to make our courses available to people from all walks of life across the region".

"The partnership with RGU provides an excellent stepping stone for those who might not otherwise get the chance to go straight into a degree programme".

"Some students who hadn't previously considered a university degree will realise that they have the potential to push themselves further".

"As well as guaranteed entry on to the degrees at RGU, students will receive associate student status offering access to learning and recreational resources".

"We hope the construction subjects will be the first of many".

David McClean, head of RGU's Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and the Built Environment, said: "We are delighted that RGU is collaborating with UHI on an initiative that will benefit both institutions as well as prospective students in the Highlands and Islands".

"RGU is very keen to widen access to the university and we believe that this link will be an effective way of achieving this".

"There is currently a shortage of professionals in the construction industry, particularly surveying, and this initiative will hopefully encourage more students to consider this as a career.

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