What is HND?
What is HND? Well, to begin with, the term HND stands for ‘Higher National Diploma,’ which is a higher education qualification in the United Kingdom. This qualification can be used to obtain an entry into the universities as a full-time course at an advanced level. It is considered an equivalent to a foundation degree or the first two years of an undergraduate degree.
HND is issued on successful completion of a work-related course. Here, the students focus mainly on the practical experiment rather than the theoretical content. All the HND courses are specially designed to equip you with particular work skills.
In the UK, while recruiting employers prefer to choose HND holders, mainly for the simple reason that they already have real-time work experience. Unlike other degrees that mainly focuses on the theory of a subject, HND courses provide a practical skill-based study. And to obtain the certification, it is a must for the students to adopt a more ‘hands-on’ approach.
Most of the universities offer HND programmes that include:
- Agriculture
- Computing and IT
- Business Management
- Performing Arts
- Construction and Civil Engineering
- Retail and Distribution
- Health and Social Care
- Hospitality Management
An HND in one of the above study areas can help you gain employment in the related sector. Most of the HND courses applicants are required to hold an A-level or an equivalent qualification. Students’ progress is assessed through assignments, projects and practical tasks that need to be performed throughout the course. A successfully completed assignment in each subject unit is marked as either Pass, Merit or Distinction.
Entry Requirement for an HND course
The candidates must satisfy the one of the below entry requirements to be eligible for applying for an HND course:
- At least one A level or an equivalent
- NVQ level 3 qualification
- Overseas equivalent to A levels certificate
Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE)
Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE)A Diploma of Higher Education is an academic qualification that is an equivalent to HND qualification. It is awarded after two years of full-time study at a university or any other higher education institution. It is considered to be a stand-alone qualification where the teaching is offered to the standard of a full undergraduate degree. Thus, the students mostly appreciate this course as it avoids them to get committed to a three-year degree course.
The Diploma of Higher Education can be obtained in subjects such as:
- Animal Science
- Healthcare
- Paramedic Science
- Nursing
- Textile Design
- Counselling
You can also opt for the Certification of Higher Education (CertHE), which is a level below the DipHE. The course takes around one year of full-time study to complete. It is an academic course that is equivalent to the Higher National Certificate (HNC) and a significant option for those who are considering transferring onto a Bachelor’s Degree course. Concerning the fee, both these qualifications usually involve the same costs as Bachelor’s Degree courses.
Benefits of a Higher National Diploma
The main advantage of studying for a Higher National Diploma (HND) is that the course provides the students with real-life work experience. Moreover, certain modules are based on the real-life experience, and this is where the credit is achieved. This extraordinary experience is invaluable, and when it comes to applying for jobs, this work experience and learning obtained from it will give you more to draw upon in both applications and interviews.
When compared to the course duration, HND takes fewer years to complete than a Bachelor’s Degree. Thus, HND graduates can be able to apply for jobs much earlier than a Bachelor’s Degree graduate. This course also provides the flexibility to maintain a job while studying.
On the whole, HND courses provide you with the options to explore your subject related skills on the completion, of course, to pursue your desired career in your chosen area.
Higher National Diploma Courses at Mont Rose College
When it comes to the Higher National Diploma courses providers, Mont Rose College offers a wide range of options in areas such as Business Marketing, Business Accounting and Finance, Hospitality Management, Health and Social Care or Healthcare Management. All these courses are available with embedded Level 4 HNC award (RQF).
Since it is a course that is mostly based on the real-time work experience, MRC takes special care upon their students by providing them with the proper guidance in order to complete their assessment, researches and projects. All the HND courses are available in a full-time study mode with the requirement of 21 hours per week in terms of time with 240+ credits and 15 units.
MRC is very much focused on their students’ careers, and ensure that after the completion the students will be able to demonstrate their skills, thinking, abilities to easily solve the structured and unstructured business problems.
