Academies information for schools and students attending Borders College

South East Scotland Academies Partnership (SESAP)

As part of a student’s S5 and S6 curriculum, pupils may opt to apply for one of the Academies. These courses are delivered jointly between College and Queen Margaret University.

Most of the teaching is done through Edinburgh, Borders and West Lothian Colleges and the classes are timetabled on a Friday for Borders College. You are also expected to attend some Friday afternoon classes at Queen Margaret University throughout your 2-year programme.

Higher National Certificate (HNC) units have continuous assessment with no final exam.

The most suitable campus from your school’s location will decide the specific campus you attend.

Full unit information, timetables and entry requirements are also available.

The Food Science and Nutrition Academy

What subjects are studied? / Which Academy year are they studied in and where? / Possible destinations on successful completion of Academy qualifications
You will study and gain lots of hands on practical laboratory experience and data handling skills. You will gain work experience by visiting local industry and your work placement. / 1
Borders College /
  • NPA in Laboratory science

Subjects include:
Microbiology
Biochemistry
Statistics for Science

Media and Communication

What subjects are studied? / Which Academy year are they studied in and where? / Possible destinations on successful completion of Academy qualifications
Subjects studied include Writing for the Media; An Introduction to the Creative Industries / 1
Edinburgh College – Milton and Sighthill
Borders College
West Lothian College /
  • HNC Creative Industries (Edinburgh College)
  • BA (Hons) Film and Media (QMU)
  • BA (Hons) Media (QMU)
  • BA (Hons) Public Relations and Media (QMU)
  • Creative Industry Apprenticeship

Hospitality and Tourism Academy

What subjects are studied? / Which Academy year are they studied in and where? / Possible destinations on successful completion of Academy qualifications
Mix of practical and theory – depending on your College, but including: Food Production Processes; Food & Beverage Service. / 1
Edinburgh College Milton and Granton
Borders College
West Lothian College /
  • Employment / Modern Apprentice
  • Year 1 of an HND Hospitality Management / Events Management, depending on school qualifications
  • International Hospitality and Tourism Management degree at Queen Margaret University, depending on school qualifications

The Health & Social Care Academy

What subjects are studied? / Which Academy year are they studied in and where? / Possible destinations on successful completion of Academy qualifications
Skills for Work Higher in Health and Social Care
Values and Principles
Human Development and Behaviour, Social Influences, Course Assessment / Edinburgh College
Borders College
West Lothian College
QMU /
  • Employment
  • Modern Apprentice
  • HNC Social Care or any other relevant course at Edinburgh College or HNC Care and Administration at Borders College..
  • 1st year of relevant degree at QMU Degree Course

Academy Entry Requirements

2015-16 Session

Borders College based students

Academy / Year 1 (S5 or S6)
Hospitality and Tourism / No formal qualifications
Selection is based on interview
Health and Social Care / No formal qualifications
Selection is based on interview
Food Science and Nutrition / 2 Science Highers: Higher Chemistry (strongly recommended) and preferably Higher Biology or Higher Maths
Creative Industries (Media and Communications) / Pass in 3 x SCQF Level 5 subjects, including English

There are different entry requirements for each of the Academies; however, underpinning all of the Academy recruitment, there needs to be the desire from the young person to learn and participate and to find out more about the associated industry of the Academy they have applied to.

Academy Teaching

Students based at Borders College, 2015-16

The timetables below do not include placements, industry visits and study time.

Day / Time / How Often? / Location
All Academy programmes / Friday / 10am – 3pm / Every week of College calendar / Borders College
Friday / 2pm – 5pm / Every 2nd month (5 sessions in the year) / QMU

Academy Units

Students based at Borders College, 2015-16

All of the Academies offer a 1-year programme based at Borders College and available for pupils during their S5 or S6 school programme.

Higher Health and Social Care: Skills for Work: (award C245 76).

24 SCQF Credit Points in total

Unit Title / Code / SCQF Level / SCQF Credit points
Understanding and Supporting People in Health and Social Care Settings / F1C5 12 / 6 / 6
Care Principles and Practice / F1C6 12 / 6 / 6
Working in Health and Social Care Settings / F1C7 12 / 6 / 6
Health, Safety and protection Issues in Care Settings / F1C8 12 / 6 / 6

HNC Media and Communications units

Unit Title / Code / SCQF Level / SCQF Credit points
Photography: An Introduction / DW6C34 / 7 / 8
Creative Industries:
An Introduction / DM0V 34 / 7 / 8
Writing for the Media / F69K 34 / 7 / 8
Personal Development Planning / DE3R 34 / 7 / 8

BA/ BA (Hons) Film and Media - P303 BA/Film

BA/ BA (Hons) Media - P301 BA/Media

BA/ BA (Hons) Public Relations and Media - PP23 BA/PrM

If applying for a degree at QMU, apply for Level 1entry.

HNC Hospitality units

Unit Title / Code / SCQF Level / SCQF Credit points
Food and Beverage Service / DL3G 34 / 7 / 16
Food Production Processes / DL3K 34 / 7 / 16

The UCAS code for International Hospitality and Tourism Management – N890 BA/IHTM

If applying for International Hospitality and Tourism Management, apply for Level 1entry.

National Progression Award (NPA) in Laboratory Sciences (award G9G6 46)

Unit Title / Code / SCQF Level / SCQF credit points
Mathematics for Science / F3T8 11 / 5 / 6
  • Quality and Health and Safety Systems in Science Industries
/ DF82 34 / 7 / 8
  • Fundamental Chemistry: An Introduction
/ DX29 33 / 6 / 8
Microbiological Techniques / D042 12 / 6 / 6
Experimental procedures-science / D 937 12 / 6 / 6
Chemical reactions / D071 12 / 6 / 6
Energy matters / D069 12 / 6 / 6
The world of Carbon / D070 12 / 6 / 6

The UCAS codes for relevant degrees at QMU are as follows:

BSc Nutrition & Food Science 4A79

BSc Nutrition B403

BSc HumanBiology C100

BSc Applied Pharmacology B210