Financial Services HNC
Campus Sighthill Campus
Qualification SCQF Level 7
Study mode Full time
Start date
Aug 2026
Course enquiry form
Course overview
Applications for this course are currently closed.
Applications will reopen in January 2027 for entry to Semester 1 of the 2027/28 academic year. If you are interested in studying HNC Financial Services at Edinburgh College, we encourage you to check back in January when applications open.
Edinburgh is the largest Financial centre in Scotland, offering a range of employment opportunities in the Business and finance sector. The HNC is designed to provide you with the key competencies required to enter the world of Financial Services as a trainee.
Our popular, exciting course is designed to develop the technical skills required to work in the Financial Sector. The course is delivered face-to-face in the classroom to support your engagement. We work with several financial partners who will deliver sessions within your course to contextualise your experience and bring the course to life.
Throughout the course, you will get an insight into the financial institutions and financial markets in the UK and the relationship between these institutions, markets and the customer.
You will learn about the features and use of cash services, savings and lending products offered to personal customers, personal finance protection products, personal investment products and the regulatory environment applicable to personal financial services.
What you will learn
Some of the subjects you will learn are detailed below
- Information Technology: Applications Software 1
- Personal Enterprise Skills
- Personal Financial Services
- Creating a Culture of Customer Care
- Communication: Business Communication
- Financial Sector: An Introduction
- Financial Services Regulatory Framework
- Financial Services: Graded Unit 1
- Research Skills
- Managing People and Organisations
Meta Skills Developed
- Focusing
- Integrity
- Communication
- Collaborating
- Sense-making
- Critical thinking
- Adapting
- Curiosity
- Initiative
How the course is assessed
Each subject will have different evidence requirements and assessment approaches.
Some examples are provided below of the methods of assessment:
- Open Book
- Exam – Closed-book controlled
- Project-based assessments
Number of days per week
- 2 days on campus plus 1 independent study day.
Entry requirements
A minimum of two relevant Highers at Grade C or above and four National 5 qualifications at Grade C or above, including English or Maths (or equivalent).
Relevant subjects may include:
- Business
- Accounting
- English
- Mathematics
- Administration
- Social Subjects
- Science Subjects
Or
- A relevant National Qualification Group Award at SCQF Level 6 or above.
Applicants will be considered on an individual basis, taking account of qualifications, experience and potential to succeed on the programme.
Information on Tests / Auditions / Interview Requirements
- You will be required to attend a group and/or individual information session.
- As part of the application process, you will complete a skills check to ensure the course is the right fit for your experience and future career aspirations.
- Further information about the course and progression opportunities will be provided during the information session.
English Proficiency Requirements
Minimum IELTS 5.5Progression and Articulation Routes
- HNC can provide progression to degree-level study. For example, the HNC in Finance allows direct entry into the second year of most degree programmes and, depending on your grades, direct entry to most second-year programmes.
- Higher National qualifications also provide the knowledge and understanding required for related Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs)—for example, SVQ in Business and Administration.
Career options
The industry offers employment opportunities in a wide range of areas:
- Banking
- Building societies
- Pension funds
- Investment companies
- Insurance
- Unit trusts
- Stock market operations
- Life and Pensions
- Asset Management
- Intermediation
- Debt Collection
Study Options
| Campus | Study mode | Start date | End date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sighthill Campus | Full time | 24/08/26 | 11/06/27 |