Golspie High School

Our Senior Phase courses give you access to a wide range of subjects, helping you build skills, confidence, and employability while still at school. With a mix of on-campus and online learning, taught by industry-experienced lecturers, you’ll experience college and university learning and get a head start on your future.

Want to know what studying through Senior Phase is really like? Read our student stories.

Applications for senior phase courses are now closed and will reopen in January 2027.

If you have any questions about our courses, our Schools Team is here to help.

Explore our courses

Face-to-face: Delivered in college or school

Beauty Skills Units SCQF 4

Duration: One academic year
When and Where:
- Alness Academy - Friday, 09.30am - 1.30pm
- UHI North, West and Hebrides, Fort William - Wednesday, 9.00am - 3.30pm
- UHI North, West and Hebrides, Portree - Wednesday, 10.00am - 2.30pm

This course provides candidates with an introduction to a selection of essential beauty treatment techniques, focusing particularly on facial skin care, make-up, and nail skills. A great way to start your training into the beauty industry and allows progression onto further beauty training on completion of this course.

Course content

Beauty Skills: An Introduction
Cosmetology: Make-up Artistry
Creative Nail Finishes to Hand and Foot

Entry requirements

There are no formal entry requirements.

What next

Upon completion, you may wish to progress on to a course in this subject area.

SfW Early Education and Childcare SCQF 4

Duration: One academic year
Where and when:
- UHI North, West and Hebrides, Alness campus, Friday 9.45am - 2.15pm
- UHI North, West and Hebrides, Fort William campus, Wednesday 9.00am - 3.30pm
- UHI North, West and Hebrides, Thurso campus, Friday 9.45am - 2.15pm

National 4 Skills for Work: Early Learning and Childcare is an introductory qualification that will help learners to understand some of the demands and responsibilities of working in the early learning and childcare sector.

At National 4, learners cover basic topics in each area and begin to develop relevant skills such as teamwork skills and helping to plan play experiences.

Course content

You will study the following units:

Child Development
Play in Early Learning and Childcare
Working in Early Learning and Childcare
One relevant optional unit

Entry requirements

You must be working towards National 4 level, demonstrate a keen interest in working within the childcare industry and have a satisfactory reference.

What next

On completion, you can apply for the National 5 Early Learning and Childcare Programme.

APPLY

SVQ Professional Cookery Units SCQF 4

Duration: One academic year
Where: UHI North, West and Hebrides, Dornoch
When: Friday 0945 - 1415

This course allows you to achieve units from the SVQ Professional Cookery qualification at SCQF level 4. It focuses on developing basic cookery skills and introducing you to how a professional kitchen operates.

You will take part in hands-on learning in professional kitchens, working with ingredients, equipment and techniques used in the hospitality industry. As well as being a useful introduction to professional cookery, the course also helps you develop practical skills you can use in everyday life.

This course is suitable for learners with a keen interest in cooking who want to explore the hospitality and catering sector and build confidence in the kitchen.

Course content

You will develop practical cookery skills that focus on the fundamentals of working safely and effectively in a professional kitchen environment.

You will spend time learning how to prepare and cook a range of dishes, including bread and dough products like baguettes and pizzas, cakes and pastries, sandwiches, and vegetable-based dishes such as soups, curries, stir-fries and rice-based meals. Alongside this, you will learn about food hygiene, health and safety, and good working practices that are essential in any professional kitchen.

Students on this course are required to have PPE. PPE will be provided for school pupils. Home-educated young people are responsible for supplying their own PPE. This course required the following PPE includes:

Butchers apron
Skull cap

Entry requirements

You should be working at or towards SCQF level 4 and be able to demonstrate an interest in cooking and working in a kitchen environment.

What next

This course provides a strong foundation for further study either as a senior phase course or a full-time course in Professional Cookery or Hospitality.

NPA Construction Skills SCQF 5

Duration: One academic year
Where and when:
- Dornoch Academy, Tuesday, 9.00am - 1.00pm
- UHI North, West and Hebrides, Stornoway campus, Tuesday 9.00am - 10.35am and Wednesday, 2.00pm - 3.35pm
- UHI North, West and Hebrides, Thurso campus, Friday 9.45am - 2.15pm - This course is now full for applications.

This course comprises four units. The content of the course focuses on the development of basic hand skills across the disciplines of Brickwork, Bench Joinery Skills and Decorative Painting.

Central to the content are the generic employability skills valued by employers in the construction sector. These skills are developed in each of the three units and are assessed at least twice during the course.

Course content

One Brick Walling – Learners will select and use the correct tools, equipment, and materials required to manufacture an artefact. During the manufacture, learners will read simple construction drawings, measure, and mark, select appropriate materials, and work to specified tolerances. The learner will also develop and use basic construction skills of building different types of brick walls, laying mortar beds, and pointing joints.
Bench Joinery - Learners will select and use the correct tools, equipment, and materials required to manufacture an artefact. During the manufacture, learners will read simple construction drawings, measure, and mark, select appropriate materials, and work to specified tolerances. The learner will also develop and use basic construction skills of manufacturing a range of different woodworking joints, manufacturing a frame, and drawing a setting out rod.
Decorative Painting - Learners will select and use the correct tools, equipment, and materials required to manufacture an artefact. During the unit candidates will follow instruction on how to complete different types of painting techniques, measure, and mark, select appropriate materials, and work to specified tolerances. The learner will also develop and use basic construction skills of different types materials, and how to store and clean correctly.
Efficient Construction Practices – During this unit, learners will learn how to work efficiently within the construction trades, this unit's evidence is gathered through the three practical units. 
To achieve this award, you will be required to undertake both practical & theory elements for each unit, overall, the award is split: 75% practical and 25% theory.

Entry requirements

Entry is at the discretion of the centre and while no formal entry qualifications are required, it would be beneficial if learners embarking on the course demonstrated:

An interest in construction
An ability to work in numeracy and literacy at SCQF level 4
Some aptitude for graphical forms of communication
Completed a woodworking subject or National 4 Construction Skills for Work

What next

This course or its components may provide progression to:

Relevant programmes in further education colleges
Modern Apprenticeships in Construction areas
Further study, employment and/or training in Construction

APPLY

SfW Early Education and Childcare SCQF 5

Duration: One academic year
Where and when:
- UHI North, West and Hebrides, Alness campus, Friday 9.45am - 2.15pm
- UHI North, West and Hebrides, Fort William campus, Wednesday 9.00am - 3.30pm
- UHI North, West and Hebrides, Stornoway campus, Tuesday, 9.00am - 10.35am and Wednesday, 2.00pm - 3.35pm
- UHI North, West and Hebrides, Thurso campus, Friday 9.45am - 2.15pm

National 5 Skills for Work: Early Learning and Childcare is an introductory qualification that will help learners to understand some of the demands and responsibilities of working in the early learning and childcare sector.

Course content

You will study the following units:

Development and wellbeing of children and young people
Play in early learning and childcare
Working in early learning and childcare
One optional unit

Entry requirements

You must have obtained a National 4 pass in a literary subject and demonstrate a keen interest in working in a childcare setting and a satisfactory reference. You may also have completed the National 4 Early Learning and Childcare Award.

What next

On attainment, you can progress onto the full time National Qualification Children and Young People or study further school link subjects at Higher Level at UHI North, West and Hebrides.

APPLY

SfW Engineering Skills SCQF 5

Duration: One academic year
Where and when:
- UHI North, West and Hebrides, Thurso campus, Friday - 9.45am - 2.15pm
- Golspie High School, Monday, 9.40am - 1.15pm

This course comprises four units. The content of the course focuses on the development of basic hand skills across the disciplines of mechanical, fabrication, electrical, electronic, maintenance, and manufacture. Central to the content are the generic employability skills valued by employers in an engineering sector. These skills are developed in each of the four units and are assessed at least twice during the course.

Course content

You will study the following units:

Engineering Skills: Mechanical and Fabrication (National 5)
During the manufacture, learners will read simple engineering drawings, measure and mark, select appropriate materials, and work to specified tolerances. The learner will also develop and use basic engineering skills of cutting, shaping, drilling, tapping, forming, and joining.
Engineering Skills: Electrical and Electronic (National 5)
Learners will select the correct tools and components required to construct a basic functional extra low voltage electrical circuit and an electronic circuit from a given diagram and specification. The unit is suitable for learners with no previous electrical, electronic, or employment experience.
Engineering Skills: Maintenance (National 5)
Learners will select the correct tools, materials and equipment required to test, disassemble, repair, and assemble an engineering part.
Engineering Skills: Design and Manufacture (National 5)
Learners will develop Computer Aided Draughting skills. They will select and use the correct tools and materials required to design, manufacture/construct, test, evaluate, and report their findings on the manufacture/construction of a project.

Entry requirements

Entry is at the discretion of the centre but, while no formal entry qualifications are required, it would be beneficial if learners embarking on the course were:  

Candidates to be studying National 5’s in Maths, English and a technical or science subject.  
Completion of National 4 Engineering Skills would be advantageous.  
Good application highlighting their interest in the Engineering sector.

What next

This course or its units may provide progression to SVQs and Modern Apprenticeships in Engineering areas, relevant programmes in further education and suitable training/employment.

APPLY

Foundation Apprenticeships

Online: National 4 & SCQF 4 courses

Online: National 5 & SCQF 5 courses

NPA Maritime Studies SCQF 5

Duration: One academic year
Where: Online (e-Sgoil)
When: Monday 9.40 am - 11.35 am; Wednesday 10.45 am - 12.25 pm and Friday 11.35 am - 1.15 pm

This course gives you the chance to explore the maritime industry through a practical and vocational programme alongside your school studies. It is designed for pupils who want to learn more about life and work at sea, and to help you decide whether the maritime sector could be a future career or progression route.

You will learn about the maritime environment, how vessels operate, and the roles and responsibilities involved in working safely at sea. The course gives a realistic introduction to the industry and the types of skills and knowledge it involves.

This course helps you explore maritime studies and make informed decisions about future study or work.

Course content

You will develop knowledge and understanding of the maritime industry and the nautical environment, alongside an introduction to key maritime skills.

Mandatory units focus on core areas of maritime study, including basic navigational watchkeeping, an overview of the maritime sector, and the principles behind vessel construction and stability. You will also explore ropework, anchoring and mooring, helping you understand how these skills are used on board vessels.

An optional unit allows you to develop more specialised knowledge, with a focus on health and safety and the procedures involved in securing a vessel for safe passage.

Entry requirements

You should be able to work at SCQF level 5. Applicants should have an interest in the subject and be committed to completing the course.

What next

This course can support progression to further study or training in maritime-related subjects, including locally delivered further education programmes. It may also help prepare you for entry-level opportunities or apprenticeships within the maritime or aquaculture sectors, depending on your wider qualifications and experience.

APPLY

Online: Highers & SCQF 6 courses

Online: Degree modules & SCQF 7 courses

Online Courses with UHI Inverness

If you have any questions regarding the online courses in this section, please email: schools.ic@uhi.ac.uk