Hi Alex,

Firstly, good luck with your course.

Now here is my list of books that I still use as reference (please bear in mind that it quite a few years since I finished my HNC so more updated versions and newer material will be available):

1) A great - no FANTASTIC! - book : Electronic Devices by Thomas L.Floyd
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Electronic-Devices-Thomas-L-Floyd/dp/0133629635/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1315764540&sr=8-13
- There are definately newer versions available than the one listed but for ~£6 for a 2nd hand copy you can't go wrong!!
2) Electrical Technology by Hughes
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hughes-Electrical-Technology-Ian-McKenzie-Smith/dp/0582226961/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1315764785&sr=1-3
- Again there are later versions but look at the prices for a 2nd hand copy!
3) Electrical and Electronic Principles and Technology by Bird
4) Any of the Babani Electronics/Computing books
5) Newnes Electronics Toolkit by Geoff Philips
5) Practical Electronics for Inventors by Paul Scherz
6) Practical Digital Electronics for Technicians by W A KIMBER
7) Electronics for Today and Tomorrow by Tom Duncan
8) Higher Engineering Mathematics by John Bird

I haven't got it but The Art of Electronics by Paul Horowitz and Winfield Hill is pretty much THE reference book on electronic circuits.

Try either Amazon (and remember Amazon sell 2nd hand books) or eBay for these titles.

You'll probably get a list of recommended books when you start your course but see what the tutors are using or ask what they recommend as reference material.

If I had to have only one book it would Electronic Devices without a doubt.

I haven't got any more info than what I published, the rest was hand written notes which there is no way I would be able to scan in - sorry.

Regards,
Rob.