What is an HND?

This is a work-related course that higher and further educational colleges in the UK provide. It takes two years to complete a fulltime higher national diploma. HND is equivalent to study for two years in the university.

What is an HNC?

It is as same as HND but it takes one year to be complete and two years when done part-time. It is also below the HND, and it is equivalent to one year at the university.

HND courses.

It will take two fulltime years for students to compete this program and end up being degree holders. It is equivalent to study for two years at the university, and this means that they have to study for one more year so that they can become degree holders. HND is a work-related course that higher and further educational colleges in the UK provide, and they are designed to prepare the students for careers, and they do this by combining practical and theoretical teachings that cover the core skills that the students need for them to be effective on the working environment. This is an excellent qualification. However, the students can become bachelor degree holders by studying for an additional year.

Higher National Diploma.

Individuals are urged to start the path of their career with HND at colleges and universities. The Edexcel BTEC HND has designed whose aim is to provide specialist work related qualifications that are appropriate to the skills and needs knowlege at RQF levels 4 and 5. These programs have been developed in a manner that can provide knowledge, skills and and understanding in a sector context, that make students ready for employment, progression in education and to provide opportunities of career development for those who are already working.

The globe has recognized the pearson HND, and this has become an opportunity for students to enroll in universities for third year of bachelor’s degree (top- Ups). This is a subject to fulfilment of universities; other admission criteria and final decison of making an offer lies with the universities. Top-Ups degrees take only one year to be complete, and it is also considered as the third year similal to the one that covered by bachelor’s degree programs.

What are the benefits of an HND?

These courses are vocationally focuses, and this not the case of many degrees. There, they lead strait to the career. In addition, they act as good bridges  for progressing higher education including a bachelor’s degree and post graduate master’s degree. Practical skills that student gains can lead to the work place. However, many students use this qualification as a bridge to reach their dream and become bachelor’s degree holders.

Completing two-thirds’equivalent to a bachelor degree will only take two years of fulltime study. Part-time programs take up to four years to be compete. This program can help the students to secure jobs in civil engineering, management roles as well as others.

HND courses are believed to be the most practical programs and they provide students with practical skills that employers look for.

Should I ‘top up’ to a degree?

We a student completes the HND study, he/she automatically qualifys to continue with edication and become a bachelor’s degree holder. Becoming a bachelor degree holder is done through Top-Up programs.

Decision of toping up depends the career path one would like to take. HND offers direct routes to many hand-on jobs. However, one is needed to be a bachelor degree so that he/she can apply for graduate-level job. This the reason why most HND holders opt to go for a bachelor’s degree. Students are urged to search job profiles so that they canm see of their HNDs are enough to pursue those careers.

How do I get on to a degree course?

If students have high- standard HNDs, and contents in both courses are similar, they are able to enroll onto the bachelor degree’s final year with that HND qualification. It can be in the same institution or in other institution. However, if the students want to pursue with little relevance to their HND, there are probabilities that they may go for second year or start afresh. For more information about this, students can contact their chosen universities so that they can discuss their specific circumstances. Students can apply for 2018 Tops-Ups program via UCAS.

Can I do a Masters with an HND?

Most master programs require complete degrees. There are many opportunites out there for the case of HND holders. However, students are urged to check the course specific requirements, since these offers are not many.

If some students have dreams of becoming teachers, for instance, a complete degree is essential for enrolling on compulsory post graduate certificate in eduaction.

There is an exception to the rule by national air trafic service (NATS) since it offers a structured development program for HND holders.

Students can check if their HND programs are fit for post graduate programs. However, HNDs  can look for employments since these HNDs can lead to good paying jobs.

Can I get funding for further study?

The government can fund HND programs, and it does this via Student Finance. However funding is restriceted to first qualification only, and this makes funding for Top up more challenging since it is considered as a second qualification. Students can however look for more information about students’ loan and finance.

Students can be helped by their institutions in forms of grants, bursaries or scholarships. Athletes and people with disabilites are the ones that who have high chances of getting these fund. However, students are advised to try.

They can also secure funding for enrolling on a post graduate course. Discover what could be on offer to you at funding postgraduate study.