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What's an HNC?

A Higher National Certificate (HNC) is a level 4 vocational qualification that takes one year to complete full-time, or two years part-time. They're practical-based courses that can prepare you for either work after completion or studies at degree level.

What's an HND?

A Higher National Diploma (HND) is a level 5 vocational qualification provided by higher and further education colleges. It takes two years to complete full-time, or three to four years if you study part-time. HNDs are practical-based courses, ideal for those wanting to enter the workforce or study towards a bachelor’s degree.

Exploring your course options? Check out some of the most popular subjects undergraduate students are searching for:

What's an HNC equivalent to?

An HNC is equivalent to the first year at university. You can generally enter a bachelor’s degree at year 2 once you complete an HNC.

What's an HND equivalent to?

An HND is equivalent to two years at university, meaning you can enter a bachelor’s degree at year 3 upon completion.

What's the difference between HNC and HND?

An HNC qualification sits at level 4 of the Qualifications and Credit Framework, with an HND sitting at level 5. While an HNC is equivalent to studying for a year at university, an HND equates to two years. An HNC will let you enter a bachelor’s degree at year 2, while an HND will let you enter at year 3.

What are the benefits of an HNC or HND?

Both are practical-based qualifications, which is perfect if you want to head straight into work. You’ll learn the skills needed to move into your chosen career and may even get to work with local employers.

Studying an HNC or HND is also a good option if you don’t feel ready for a bachelor’s degree once you finish school. They let you study at a manageable pace and when you’re ready to switch to a bachelor’s degree, you’ll already have the foundations of the degree in place.

Both an HNC and HND also allow for career progression. You might undertake an HNC or HND related to a field of work you already have experience in to gain more professional status.

Where can you study an HNC or HND?

HNC and HND qualifications are offered by over 400 universities and further education colleges throughout the UK.

What HNC qualifications can you study?

The most popular HNC qualifications are:

HNC Accounting
HNC Applied Science
HNC Biology
HNC Building Services
HNC Business Management
HNC Civil Engineering
HNC Childcare
HNC Childhood Practice
HNC Computing and IT
HNC Construction Management
HNC Counselling
HNC Early Education and Childcare
HNC Engineering
HNC Electrical Engineering
HNC Health and Social Care
HNC Mechanical Engineering
HNC Quantity Surveying
HNC Social Services
HNC Social Sciences

What HND qualifications can you study?

The most popular HND qualifications are:

HND Accounting
HND Agriculture
HND Business
HND Business Law
HND Business Management
HND Civil Engineering
HND Computer Science
HND Computing and IT
HND Construction Management
HND Engineering
HND Electrical Engineering
HND Film and Television Production
HND Graphic Design
HND Health and Social Care
HND Mechanical Engineering
HND Photography
HND Quantity Surveying
HND Social Sciences
HND Sports and Exercise Sciences

What can you do now?

Has this helped you decide to study for an HNC or HND? Excellent news! Have a think about what sort of area you would like to end up in (engineering, medicine, film, etc.) and start searching for courses in that field. Our handy course search will make finding the right one for you simple, so you can start your journey on the right foot!

Start searching for HNC and HND courses.

Not sure if an HNC or HND is for you? Learn more about the different types of undergraduate course on offer.