Higher National Certificates and Higher National Diplomas
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 A Higher National Diploma HND course is best described as a two-year full-time or three-year part-time course, which once completed can lead to entry on the final year of a degree course.
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| HND courses are vocational in nature as they prepare you for careers in specific areas of industry.
If you want to go on to higher education and gain a recognized qualification to do a specific job, a BTEC HNC or HND could be for you. HNCs and HNDs focus on 'learning by doing' and can lead into a new career, or help you progress in your current line of work.
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HNCs and HNDs: what they are
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HNCs (Higher National Certificates) and HNDs (Higher National Diplomas) are work-related
(vocational) higher education qualifications. While bachelor's degrees tend to focus
on gaining knowledge, HNCs and HNDs are designed to give you the skills to put that
knowledge to effective use in a particular job. They are highly valued by employers
both in the UK and overseas, and can also count towards membership of professional
bodies and other employer organizations.
HNCs and HNDs are provided by over 400 higher education colleges and further education
colleges. HNCs can take one year to complete full time and two years part time (or
in other situations such as distance learning).
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Where they can lead |
Because HNCs and HNDs are designed to give you the skills for a particular field
of work, they can lead straight to a career. You can also use the qualifications
to progress within your current career. You can also convert your HNC or HND to a bachelors degree
with extra study.
Once you complete your course, HNCs can allow entry into the second year of a degree,
while HNDs can allow entry into the second or third year.
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Diploma of higher education |
Diplomas of higher education are similar to HNDs. They are accredited professional
qualifications and are highly respected by employers both in the UK and overseas.
They usually take two years to complete and offer subjects such as accounting, construction,
engineering, nursing, science, technology and textile design. You can normally convert
your higher education diploma to a degree with an extra year of study.
The diplomas are at 'intermediate' level on the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications
(FHEQ).
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Certificate of higher education |
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Certificates of higher education are academic, rather than vocational qualifications.
There are broadly equivalent to an HNC, and usually take a year of full-time study
to complete. They are at 'certificate' level on the FHEQ. |
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What does a HND involve? |
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The HND course is composed of sixteen units, which are spread out over four semesters
(terms), typically containing four units in each semester. You must successfully
complete eight units in the first year in order to progress to the second year.
In the event that you fail one or more units within the first year you will be permitted
to continue only once you have successfully completed the failed units. |
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As with all courses of study the final year can be more difficult. The results attained
in the first and second year modules of a HND course can be used to determine whether
you have the ability required to move on to the degree course following the publication
of final results. |
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The work undertaken is likely to be significantly based on practical assignments
and quite often involves a group project, which you will be marked on collectively
and as an individual.
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The HND grading system |
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Before starting the HND course it is important that understand the way in which
grades for assignments, units and even your overall HND grade will be calculated. |
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To many students the HND grading scheme will appear quite different to what you
may be used to; particularly if you have taken a HND after studying A levels. The
manner in which grades are awarded is shown in the table below: |
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Grade |
Mark |
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Pass |
40%-60% |
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Merit |
60%-70% |
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Distinction |
70%+ |
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You must achieve at least
a minimum of a Pass grade in all assignments. |
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What will you achieve at the end of a HND course? |
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When you have successfully completed your HND course you will receive a certificate
to certify that you have followed and completed a HND course in a recognized area
of study. You will also receive a number of credits, typically one credit for each
unit that you successfully completed. These credits are recognized by other Universities
and can be used when applying for a course at another University.
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