HNC and HND courses

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Here's why these flexible qualifications might be right for you

Higher National Certificates (HNCs) and Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) are vocational-based, higher education qualifications widely recognised by employers, colleges and universities.

You can study them in just one or two years, providing the stepping stone you need to further study or your chosen career.

These versatile qualifications allow you to take your first steps into higher education without committing to four years of study all at once.

Rachel Hinde 'levelled up' from NC to HND, to BA (Hons), to PGDE. content

Rachel Hinde 'levelled up' from NC to HND, to BA (Hons), to PGDE.

Rachel Hinde studied our NC Business and Accounting before progressing to HND Accounting. She went on to graduate with a BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance and is now studying our PGDE in secondary teaching.

“It’s not so long ago I would have thought obtaining an honours degree and becoming a business teacher was impossible. Having a good grounding in the HND gave me the motivation to progress to degree.”

HNCs explained content

HNCs explained

An HNC (SCQF level 7) is the equivalent of the 1st year of an undergraduate degree and is an excellent option if you’re not ready to commit to a four-year programme and want to get a feel for a subject first.

They are specifically designed to lead to careers, giving you the knowledge and practical skills employers are looking for.

On successful completion of a one-year HNC, you can:

Go straight into a career.
Progress on to the 2nd year of a Higher National Diploma (HND), the equivalent of the 2nd year of a degree.
Progress to the 2nd year of a degree programme with us or another university. UHI Inverness has agreements with many universities, which will allow you to progress with them.
Leave after your HNC and come back again in the future to continue your studies when the time is right for you.

HNDs explained content

HNDs explained

An HND (SCQF level 8) is the equivalent of the 2nd year of an undergraduate degree and the perfect steppingstone from HNC level. An HND is a two-year qualification, but you usually complete it after an HNC, meaning it only takes one year to complete.

They are specifically designed to lead to careers, giving you the knowledge and practical skills employers are looking for.

On successful completion of an HND, you can:

Go straight into a career.
Progress to the 3rd year of a degree programme with us or another university. UHI Inverness has agreements with many universities, which allow you to progress with them.
Leave after your HND and come back again in the future to continue your studies at the next level when the time is right for you.

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HNCs and HNDs are available in a wide range of subjects:

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