Academically equivalent to the first two years of a bachelor’s degree, HNDs have a vocational focus that makes them popular with employers. They take two years to complete if you’re studying full time, and four years if you opt for part-time study. If you already know which industry you want to work in, a Higher National Diploma could offer you a speedier route to your chosen career. Keen to find out more? Check out our HND courses and get started today!
Browse HND Results
Payroll Training includes Sage Payroll
Payroll is among one of the most important functions of an organisation. It manages the financial relationship between employers and employees. This highly popular course includes both theory and digital payroll skills. You will gain practical experien...
Diploma in Dog Grooming
Learn about professional dog grooming techniques with our online dog grooming course in the UK Are you considering a career in dog grooming? This comprehensive diploma program encompasses two certificates, focusing on both dog and pet grooming as well...
Certificate in Counselling Skills PSCU1013
Help resolve difficult issues through counselling A counsellor’s role is to facilitate the resolution of issues, whilst respecting a person’s values, personal resources, culture and capacity for choice. Counselling provides a regular time and space for...
Certificate In Bookkeeping
Learn to balance the books with our accredited course. You’ll be able to prepare VAT returns and keep business accounts. Learn to analyse and interpret a profit and loss statement and balance sheet. You can also use this course as a pathway to becoming...
Certificate in Accounts Administration & Payroll
That promotion is just around the corner. Here’s a certificate that will improve your job prospects no end. It’s an industry and employer-recognised certificate that will increase your job prospects in Accounts Administration. It can help you to upskil...
Certificate in Accounting ABKU1007
Become a standout locally with an internationally recognised qualification This is a course that ticks all the boxes. The Career Academy Certificate in Accounting will provide you with all the necessary skills to work in an accounting environment. Ther...
Diploma In Xero
Gain an advanced workforce-ready skill set in Xero It’s one of the most highly awarded Xero courses that you could take. The Diploma in Xero for accountancy, bookkeeping and administration roles is loaded with specially rated achievements. These includ...
Advanced Certificate in Xero ABKU1015
Take the step up and become an advanced Xero user. Everyone likes to advance their career in accountancy. And this is an incredibly satisfying and highly rewarding way to do it. The course is ideal for bookkeepers, accountants, payroll officers, and ac...
Certificate in Medical Reception and Terminology
Developed by health experts, this Career Academy course will teach you how to use Microsoft Office in managing the day-to-day running of medical practice. You’ll have the opportunity to develop the skills needed to communicate clearly and effectively i...
Certificate in Medical Terminology
Understand medical terminology! This course is designed for people with no or limited medical training, who would like to work in a medical environment. You’ll develop the skills needed to communicate clearly and effectively using medical terminology....
Certified Cisco Networking for Beginners with Official Cisco Exams
If you’ve ever considered working as a Cisco Networking Engineer or specialist but felt you lacked the knowledge or skills to launch your career, this might be what you’re looking for. This course bundle is aimed at absolute beginners to IT who want to...
CompTIA Certification Bundle with 4 Exams
The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is the association representing the international technology community. Its goal is to provide a unified voice, global advocacy and leadership, and to advance industry growth through standards, pr...
CompTIA Expert Level Cyber Security Bundle with 3 CompTIA Exams
This course bundle is aimed at both experts working within IT and/or those who have extensive knowledge of IT technologies, including networking. It includes three expert-level, globally recognised CompTIA cyber security certifications: 1. The CompTIA...
Cyber Security for Beginners with 4 Official CompTIA Exams
If you’ve ever considered working within the cybersecurity industry but felt you lacked the knowledge or skills to launch your career, this might be what you’re looking for. This course bundle is aimed at absolute beginners to IT who want to start a ca...
IASSC Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (exam included with retake) – 6 Months Access
This certification course will prepare you to successfully lead and execute Lean Six Sigma projects, perform Six Sigma analysis, and use the D.M.A.I.C (Define Measure Analyze Improve Control) methodology. It is comprised of professionally narrated e-Le...
IASSC Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (exam included with retake) – 6 Months Access
This certification course will prepare you to successfully lead and execute Lean Six Sigma projects, perform Six Sigma analysis, and use the D.M.A.I.C (Define Measure Analyze Improve Control) methodology. It is comprised of professionally narrated e-Le...
IT Support Technician Certification Bundle with 5 Exams
This course is aimed at anyone looking to gain entry into the IT field as an IT Support Technician. Support Technicians are the backbone of any IT department. They ensure the smooth running of the IT within a company or organisation and offer guidance...
Accredited PRINCE2® Foundation and Practitioner (exams included – with free resit)
About the PRINCE2 Foundation course The PRINCE2 Foundation course is the first of two examination courses that you are required to pass in order to become a registered PRINCE2 Practitioner. This makes it the ideal starting point for anyone who is inter...
Counselling & Psychology Advanced Certificate
With mental health taboos slowly becoming a thing of the past, the demand for mental health practitioners such as counsellors has been climbing steadily. The time has therefore never been better to embark on a counselling course and get started on your...
Nursing Assistant Certificate
Nursing assistant careers may not be for the faint of heart but they’re unique in all they have to offer. After all, not all professionals can sincerely say their job makes a positive and lasting difference to people’s lives, at least not in a way that...
Online HND courses also available
What are the benefits of studying an HND?
- You’ll gain hands-on experience: Because they’re designed to teach specific practical skills, HNDs are ideal if you’re looking to enter a hands-on field of work such as engineering, agriculture or health and social care. Many courses also include work experience placements.
- They’re exam-free: Does the thought of sitting exams bring you out in a cold sweat? Then you’ll be relieved to know that HNDs are assessed via a mix of assignments, projects, practical tasks, presentations and portfolios. So if you learn best by doing, this could be the qualification for you.
- They’re flexible: You might decide that you want to move straight into employment once you’ve completed your second year. However, if you come to the conclusion that a full honours degree would broaden your career options, you can ‘top up’ your HND by doing a year of further study.
What is a ‘top-up’ degree?
Taking a top-up degree involves progressing on to the final year of an honours degree course. To apply, you’ll need to have graduated from your HND course with at least a merit. The content of both courses must also be similar.
Many HND holders take their top-up degree with their current institution or at the university that validates its qualifications. However, it’s perfectly possible to study with a different provider, as an increasing number of universities are accepting applications from HND graduates.
What kind of subjects can I study at HND level?
HND programmes are available in a wide range of subjects. Here are the most popular options.
- Agriculture
- Construction
- Business
- Business management
- Accountancy
- Finance
- Graphic design
- Computer science
- Electrical engineering
- Electronic engineering
- Civil engineering
- Performing arts
- Sport and exercise science
- Hospitality
- Mechanical engineering
- Photography
What are the entry requirements?
You’ll normally need a minimum of 100 UCAS points to access HND courses. These can be gained via a variety of equivalent qualifications including an A level, a BTEC or a Level 3 Diploma.
If you don’t have a level 3 qualification yet, don’t despair, as some providers also accept students who have a significant amount of work experience.
How do I finance my HND?
HNDs generally cost between £6-8,000 per year (£1,285 in Scotland). While they’re cheaper than most undergraduate degree programmes, you’ll still be entitled to access student finance loans to cover both tuition fees and your living expenses.
However, if you decide to top up your HND, you’ll need to check whether you’re eligible for further student loans, as you may only receive limited funding. This is because Student Finance England sometimes views top-up degrees as second higher education qualifications.