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Developed to meet the practical needs of employers, obtaining a Higher National Certificate (HNC) or a Higher National Diploma (HND) is a fantastic way to get the career of your dreams. Higher National Qualifications set you up with the skills and theoretical knowledge you need to successfully carry out a wide range of jobs.
Are you considering an HNC Certificate or an HND diploma? This guide covers all the key information you’ll need to know to choose the right study option for you.
What is a Higher National Certificate (HNC)?
An HNC is officially a BTEC qualification which is issued by Edexcel in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In Scotland, the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) accredit HNCs.
An HNC course is a level 4 qualification that can be completed in one year (full-time study) or two years (part-time study). It can sometimes take longer than two years depending on what form of part-time study you wish to do.
HNC courses are vocational, preparing you with the on-the-job skills and knowledge you will need to enter the workforce or study at a degree level. A BTEC higher national certificate is equivalent to the first year of university. Typically, you can directly enter a Bachelor’s degree at year 2 if you have obtained a relevant HNC qualification.
HNCs are a great way to access Higher Education after A-Levels, without committing to a more extended undergraduate program.
What is a Higher National Diploma (HND)?
A Higher National Diploma (HND) is a level 5 course that can be completed in two years (full-time study) or three to four years (part-time study).
An HND is a vocational qualification that prepares students for future study or a career. It is the equivalent of two years of university study. Most students who hold an HND are eligible to directly enter the third year of a bachelor’s degree program.
What’s the difference between an HNC and HND?
Higher National Certificates (HNC) are similar to a Higher National Diploma in the way they take a vocational, career-centred approach to study to help you to develop the exact skills you need for your chosen career path.
However, there are some important differences:
- Level: An HNC is a Level 4 qualification and an HND is a Level 5 qualification
- University equivalent: An HNC is the equivalent of one year at university and an HND equates to two years of university study
- Study time: It generally takes one year full-time to complete and two years part-time to obtain a higher national certificate. An HND takes two years full-time to complete or three to four years part-time.
What are the benefits of an HNC or HND?
Both of these vocational qualifications are an ideal choice if you want to dive straight into the workforce. They are also perfect study paths if you don’t feel ready or prepared to take on a bachelor’s degree. You can study at a slower pace and gradually build the foundation you need to enter your degree program of choice.
If you are already in the workforce and you’re looking for an opportunity to progress your career, HNC and HND qualifications are great tools for professional development.
Where Can I Study an HNC or HND?
Both HNC and HND qualifications can be studied at a wide selection of universities and further education colleges across the UK.
Many HNC programs now offer distance learning and flexible study options so you can study at a time and pace that suits you.
What HNC qualifications can I study?
You can study a broad range of subjects at HNC level.
Here are a few of the most popular higher national certificate courses:
- Accounting
- Business Management
- Civil Engineering
- Computing and IT
- Construction Management
- Counselling
- Early Education and Childcare
- Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Health and Social Care
- Mechanical Engineering
- Quantity Surveying
- Social Services
What are the Entry Requirements for an HNC?
If you don’t know what you want to study, an HNC can be a good taster year before you commit to a bachelor’s degree or an HND.
The entry requirements are at least one A-Level in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland or at least two passes at Higher Level in Scotland.
An HNC course typically costs around £6,000, although this can vary depending on the region, education institution, and subject.
Since these factors can vary from course to course, it’s important to check the fine print of each HNC program.
What Careers can an HNC lead me into?
Higher National Certificates can lead you into a variety of careers and industries, such as:
- Retail
- Transport and logistics
- Art and design
- Computing and IT
- Engineering and manufacturing
- Construction
- Health and social care
- Public services
- Sports and nutrition
What Can I Do After a Higher National Certificate?
Given the employment skills focus of the HNC, you are now ready to go out into the world of work. You will have gained the right skills and the right practical experiences to apply for entry-level jobs in your chosen area.
HNCs are well regarded by businesses here in the UK and internationally, meaning employers will recognise the job preparation you have already done.
Alternatively, if you enjoyed studying for your HNC, you could continue to do an HND. This will give you more advanced training for a job and broader academic knowledge of the industry.
Since an HNC is equivalent to the first year of university, you could also consider applying to a bachelor’s degree program to join in the second year. This would leave you with two or three years of university to complete.
The good news is that there is no rush. If you leave education for a while to work, but eventually want to study again, the Open University allows you to transfer credits from past HNCs onto their courses.
Obtaining a higher national certificate stands you in good stead to find a career or progress to undergraduate or postgraduate study. Renowned for arming students with the practical tools and knowledge they need to succeed in their chosen field, many employers highly regard this vocational qualification.
There are plenty of reasons to study an HNC. The hands-on approach prepares you for the workforce or further education and the flexible study options mean you can study at a manageable pace.
For more information on university degrees, visit our page on Bachelor’s degrees.
