UK degrees are respected throughout the world as the gold standard for qualifications. However, it is easy to overlook the fact that there are other UK qualifications which are almost as valuable and can serve as stepping stones on the route to a degree, the Higher National Certificate(HNC) and Higher National Diploma (HND).
HNCs and HNDs have a long history and are highly valued by employers, both in the UK and overseas. They can also count towards membership of professional bodies or allow progression to the later years of an undergraduate degree programme. HNCs and HNDs are available in a wide range of subjects from accounting to video production, but the most popular subjects are Computing or Information Technology and Business Studies.
In Britain, HNCs and HNDs are offered by more than 500 Universities and Colleges of Further and Higher Education. They are placed at levels 5 and 6 on the National Qualifications Framework, meaning that they are equivalent to the first and second years of an undergraduate degree. In Scotland nearly half of those entering Higher Education follow and HNC or HND programme before proceeding to university.
Many Universities accredit their own HNC and HND programmes, but there are also two other bodies authorised by the UK Government to accredit HNCs and HNDs, the Business and Technical Education Council (BTEC) and the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA). If you are considering an HND programme, it is important to ensure that it is accredited by one of these bodies and that the institution offering the course is approved to do so.
Students who have never obtained the entrance qualifications required for a degree programme can overcome this disadvantage by taking an HNC or HND, which allows progression to a degree program. HNCs and HNDs are highly practical and focus on learning by doing. Most courses accept students who have successfully completed of five years of secondary education, but candidates who do not have level of education can often obtain admission by undertaking a short preparatory course.Students over 21 may be addmitted directly, irrespective of their previous qualification.
HNCs and HNDs is often studied part-time by students who are also working, and may also be available by also be available by distance learning. Doing an HNC or HND by distance learning can be attractive to overseas students, as it can be done without leaving their home country, and can help demonstrate their credibility as students if they wish to come to the UK later to complete a degree. Students who complete an HNC can normally gain direct admission to the second and third year of a degree course. An HND is usually studied for two years full time or longer if part time. Students who complete an HND can normally obtain direct entry to the third year of a degree course.
HNCs and HNDs have a long history and are highly valued by employers, both in the UK and overseas. They can also count towards membership of professional bodies or allow progression to the later years of an undergraduate degree programme. HNCs and HNDs are available in a wide range of subjects from accounting to video production, but the most popular subjects are Computing or Information Technology and Business Studies.
In Britain, HNCs and HNDs are offered by more than 500 Universities and Colleges of Further and Higher Education. They are placed at levels 5 and 6 on the National Qualifications Framework, meaning that they are equivalent to the first and second years of an undergraduate degree. In Scotland nearly half of those entering Higher Education follow and HNC or HND programme before proceeding to university.
Many Universities accredit their own HNC and HND programmes, but there are also two other bodies authorised by the UK Government to accredit HNCs and HNDs, the Business and Technical Education Council (BTEC) and the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA). If you are considering an HND programme, it is important to ensure that it is accredited by one of these bodies and that the institution offering the course is approved to do so.
Students who have never obtained the entrance qualifications required for a degree programme can overcome this disadvantage by taking an HNC or HND, which allows progression to a degree program. HNCs and HNDs are highly practical and focus on learning by doing. Most courses accept students who have successfully completed of five years of secondary education, but candidates who do not have level of education can often obtain admission by undertaking a short preparatory course.Students over 21 may be addmitted directly, irrespective of their previous qualification.
HNCs and HNDs is often studied part-time by students who are also working, and may also be available by also be available by distance learning. Doing an HNC or HND by distance learning can be attractive to overseas students, as it can be done without leaving their home country, and can help demonstrate their credibility as students if they wish to come to the UK later to complete a degree. Students who complete an HNC can normally gain direct admission to the second and third year of a degree course. An HND is usually studied for two years full time or longer if part time. Students who complete an HND can normally obtain direct entry to the third year of a degree course.
About the Author:
Peter Brown is Principal of London Graduate School of Management (LGSM), one of London's top Business Schools. LGSM offers HNCs and HNDs in Computer Networking, Information Technology and Business which can be studied via Distance Learning.
