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
Life Coaching Diploma
In an age when everyone aspires to continuous self-improvement and development, more and more people reach for the help of skilled life coaching professionals to guide them towards their goals. As a result, the growth of the coaching industry shows no...
Beauty Therapy & Make Up Certificate
Beauty therapy is an exciting area of study, perfect for those with a special interest in makeup, hair and beauty, and helping people look and feel better about themselves. The Beauty Therapy & Make Up Certificate is perfect for aspiring beautician...
Hospitality Management Diploma and Advanced Diploma
The ICI hospitality and hotel program has been designed in conjunction with industry leaders and helps you learn the skills you need to succeed in within the industry quickly and conveniently....
Criminal Psychology Certificate
If you’ve always been fascinated by the psychology of criminal behaviour and would like to learn more about the fine intersection of psychology and the criminal justice system, then you might find criminal psychology an exciting study area to pursue. T...
Certificate in Xero
Quickly learn Xero software at the beginner level. Learn the quick and easy way to manage business accounts. This is a great course designed for business owners or managers, accounts people or anyone managing business accounts, or those looking to furt...
Certificate in Xero Payroll
Eliminate all payroll stress and worry Managing your payroll can be a real worry sometimes. Well, with Xero Payroll from The Career Academy, it can all simply disappear. Once you become your own payroll administrator, it will enable you to connect your...
Certificate in Animal Health Care ANCU1003
This online course will help you understand animal behaviour, common health problems and basic veterinarian procedures. You will gain invaluable knowledge in many different aspects of animal health care, giving you an edge over the competition. Use thi...
Zoology Executive Diploma
Zoo Keeper positions are relatively few and when positions become vacant it is competitive. Training will help assist in setting you apart from other applicants. Aside from employment within Zoo’s work can also be sought as a VET assistant or staff mem...
Teacher’s Aide/Teaching Assistant Certificate
The teaching assistant role involves supporting both teachers and pupils in ensuring that the latter group has everything they need to succeed educationally. If what you’ve always wanted is a job that would allow you to make a real difference to people...
Photography Certificate
Does photography occupy a special place in your heart? Do you have dreams of training to become a world-class photographer and getting paid for your passion? Then, you’ve come to the right place. This Photography Diploma is a photography course like no...
Pharmacy Assistant Certificate
Become a Pharmacy Assistant. The course provides an opportunity to interact with and learn from highly qualified and experienced professionals. The retail pharmacy is a vital health advisory centre in which graduates play an important role in. The cour...
AAT Qualified Bookkeeper Pathway
Upskill and become a qualified Bookkeeper Begin a rewarding journey with our AAT Bookkeeping Course, designed to give you a thorough understanding of bookkeeping. Start with bookkeeping fundamentals and work through sections on employment law, cashflow...
Payroll Theory
The 2 Days Payroll Theory Training combines the essential elements for you to understand the core requirements of UK Payroll legislation in respect of tax and NICs system, Deductions like maternity, sick pay, annual leave, Pensions, and more as dictate...
Sage Payroll Training
Sage Payroll Training is a training course designed to help you learn about Sage Payroll. Sage Payroll is a payroll package that allows users to calculate salary payments for their staff. This training programme is designed to help trainees understand...
Certificate in Life Coaching
Motivate and help others achieve their dreams! The course is designed for those that aspire to become accredited life coaches; healthcare practitioners that want to broaden their skill-set and update their toolbox of techniques to help their clients, a...
Business Analysis Foundation
This Business Analysis Foundation training course is fully accredited by BCS and will prepare you to take the Business Analysis Foundation exam – the certificate for which is internationally recognised, respected and will provide you with employment op...
Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt
Lean Six Sigma can be compared to a marathon runner: a professional athlete may analyse their performance to identify and remove any unnecessary actions or inefficiencies with the goal of improving their performance in both time and success. The Lean S...
CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate in HR Practice
CIPD qualifications are internationally recognised and offer you an accredited route into the Human Resources industry. With AVADO in partnership with CIPD Enterprises you can gain your professional CIPD Level 3 Certificate online, allowing you to stud...
CIPD Level 3 Foundation Diploma in HR Practice
CIPD qualifications are internationally recognised and offer you an accredited route into the Human Resources industry. With AVADO in partnership with CIPD Enterprises you can gain your professional CIPD Level 3 Foundation Diploma online, allowing you...
CIPD Level 5 Intermediate Certificate in HR Management
CIPD qualifications are internationally recognised and offer you an accredited route into the Human Resources industry. With AVADO in partnership with CIPD Enterprises you can gain your professional CIPD Level 5 Certificate online, allowing you to stud...
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.