Higher National Diploma
Encyclopedia
A Higher National Diploma (HND) is a higher education
qualification in the United Kingdom
. This qualification can be used to gain entry into universities, and is considered equivalent to the first or second year of a university degree course.
In England
, Wales
and Northern Ireland
the HND is a BTEC
qualification awarded by Edexcel
and in Scotland
is a Higher National awarded by the Scottish Qualifications Authority
. The attainment level is roughly equivalent to second year of university
, a Diploma of Higher Education
but in some cases may be marginally below that of a bachelor's degree
. An HND takes two years of full-time study, or one year full-time following successful completion of a Higher National Certificate
; part-time study takes longer.
HND in Business (Accounting) offers lots of progression opportunities, directly to the final year of many UK universities. HND in Business (Accounting) is offered by DIFT Bangladesh Management Learning (DBML), which is an approved centre of RDI, UK.
In Scotland an HND is Level 8 on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework
and in England, Wales and Northern Ireland it is Level 5 on the National Qualifications Framework
. It is quite common for those who have achieved a HND to add to their qualification by progressing to other levels such as professional qualifications, or a degree. It is graded similar to GNVQ—modules are graded, rather than the HND award itself—Pass, Merit and Distinction with Distinction the highest grade and Pass the lowest grade.
Many universities will take students who have completed their HND onto either level 2 (second year) or level 3 (third year if a four year degree) of a degree course. This is often called a "top up". Usually which of these years depends on the modules taken in the HND. It also means that after three years (or four if a business placement year is taken) a student could have both the HND and an honours degree if studying in a university in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland. Scottish Honours Degrees are normally four year courses, and so an extra year of study is required.
On graduation, students are permitted to use the postnominals HND or HNDip after their name, usually followed by the course name in brackets.
http://www.rdi.co.uk/
Higher education
Higher, post-secondary, tertiary, or third level education refers to the stage of learning that occurs at universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, and institutes of technology...
qualification in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. This qualification can be used to gain entry into universities, and is considered equivalent to the first or second year of a university degree course.
In England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
and Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
the HND is a BTEC
Business And Technology Education Council (BTEC)
The Business and Technology Education Council is the British body which awards vocational qualifications. Such qualifications are commonly referred to as "BTECs"....
qualification awarded by Edexcel
Edexcel
Edexcel, a UK company, is one of England, Wales and Northern Ireland's five main examination boards, and is wholly owned by the private-sector Pearson PLC, a UK-based media and publishing conglomerate. Its name is a portmanteau word derived from the words "educational" and "excellence"...
and in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
is a Higher National awarded by the Scottish Qualifications Authority
Scottish Qualifications Authority
The Scottish Qualifications Authority is a non-departmental public body responsible for accreditation and awarding. It is partly funded by the Education and Lifelong Learning Directorate of the Scottish Government, employing 750 staff, based in Glasgow and Dalkeith...
. The attainment level is roughly equivalent to second year of university
University
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
, a Diploma of Higher Education
Diploma of Higher Education
A Diploma of Higher Education is a higher education qualification in the United Kingdom. It is awarded after two years to three years' full-time study at a university or other higher education institution...
but in some cases may be marginally below that of a bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
. An HND takes two years of full-time study, or one year full-time following successful completion of a Higher National Certificate
Higher National Certificate
A Higher National Certificate is a higher education qualification in the United Kingdom.In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the HNC is a BTEC qualification awarded by Edexcel, and in Scotland, an HNC is a Higher National awarded by the Scottish Qualifications Authority...
; part-time study takes longer.
HND in Business (Accounting) offers lots of progression opportunities, directly to the final year of many UK universities. HND in Business (Accounting) is offered by DIFT Bangladesh Management Learning (DBML), which is an approved centre of RDI, UK.
In Scotland an HND is Level 8 on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework
Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework
The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework is the national credit transfer system for all levels of qualifications in Scotland...
and in England, Wales and Northern Ireland it is Level 5 on the National Qualifications Framework
National Qualifications Framework
The National Qualifications Framework is a credit transfer system developed for qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland....
. It is quite common for those who have achieved a HND to add to their qualification by progressing to other levels such as professional qualifications, or a degree. It is graded similar to GNVQ—modules are graded, rather than the HND award itself—Pass, Merit and Distinction with Distinction the highest grade and Pass the lowest grade.
Many universities will take students who have completed their HND onto either level 2 (second year) or level 3 (third year if a four year degree) of a degree course. This is often called a "top up". Usually which of these years depends on the modules taken in the HND. It also means that after three years (or four if a business placement year is taken) a student could have both the HND and an honours degree if studying in a university in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland. Scottish Honours Degrees are normally four year courses, and so an extra year of study is required.
On graduation, students are permitted to use the postnominals HND or HNDip after their name, usually followed by the course name in brackets.
External links
- Directgov: Higher National Certificates and Higher National Diplomas
- prosp-dev.leedsmet.ac.uk
- Engineering Council HNC/HND accreditation http://www.engc.org.uk/ecukdocuments/internet/document%20library/Higher%20National%20awards.pdf
http://www.rdi.co.uk/