What is an HND/HNC

HND stands for Higher National Diploma. It is awarded by Edexcel BTEC and is a two-year full-time programme of study. HNC stands for Higher National Certificate and is a two-year programme of study either by day-release or evening study. The HND and HNC courses provide a pathway with the flexibility for students to study to meet their own specialist needs. Qualifications are designed to provide students with the right balance between knowledge and work-related skills. In this way, students gain real employment options at the end of only two years study as well as opportunities to progress through Higher Education.

An independent survey of recent HND graduates indicated that:

• More than half went on to take a degree course
• Almost a third went straight into employment
• Employment levels were higher for degree holders