Higher Education:

Higher National Awards

Higher National Certificates and Diplomas

As the government is encouraging more people to enter higher education, programmes at this level are required locally to allow local people to embrace the culture of lifelong learning, upskilling themselves throughout their working lives to levels that will allow their organisation to adopt the new technologies and new techniques of the 21st century. Another reason for local provision is the increasing trend of many students to stay at home for university-standard education.

Recent research also indicates that investment in time on this level of programme is rewarded in a number of ways, such as enhanced employment prospects, promotion and greater earnings.

The Higher National Certificate (HNC) and Higher National Diploma fit perfectly into this agenda as they are specialist vocational programmes with a strong work related emphasis. The qualifications provide a thorough grounding in the key concepts and practical skills required in the sector with national recognition by employers allowing progression direct into employment or to degree.

What are the entry requirements for an HNC / HND ?

You will normally need to have at least one of the following:

a BTEC National Certificate or Diploma in an appropriate area
an AVCE/GNVQ in an appropriate vocational area
a GCE A Level profile which demonstrates strong performance in a relevant subject or an adequate performance in more than one GCE subject. This profile is likely to be supported by GCSE grades at level A-C
other related Level 3 qualifications
an Access to Higher Education Certificate awarded by an approved further education institution
related work experience.