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
CIPD Level 5 Intermediate Diploma 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 Diploma online, allowing you to study wh...
CIPD Level 5 Intermediate Certificate in L&D
CIPD qualifications are internationally recognised and offer you the opportunity to gain credibility in the Learning and Development field. With AVADO in partnership with CIPD Enterprises you can gain your professional CIPD Level 5 Certificate online,...
CIPD Level 5 Intermediate Diploma in L&D
CIPD Qualifications are internationally recognised and offer you the opportunity to gain credibility in the Learning and Development field. With AVADO in partnership with CIPD Enterprises you can gain your professional CIPD Level 5 Diploma online, allo...
MSP Foundation
Managing Successful Programmes (MSP)® can be likened to a film director: just as a film director oversees all aspects of production from scene to scene and through to the final product, the MSP® certification oversees all aspects of project and program...
MSP Practitioner
Managing Successful Programmes (MSP)® can be likened to a film director: just as a film director oversees all aspects of production from scene to scene and through to the final product, the MSP® certification oversees all aspects of project and program...
AgilePM Foundation & Practitioner
AgilePM can be best described as creating a brand new dish: instead of writing out a complex recipe, you start off with what you know has worked for your past dishes. As you progress, you add more of one ingredient and then more of another, gradually t...
AgilePM Practitioner
AgilePM can be best described as creating a brand new dish: instead of writing out a complex recipe, you start off with what you know has worked for your past dishes. As you progress, you add more of one ingredient and then more of another, gradually t...
AgilePM Foundation
AgilePM can be best described as creating a brand new dish: instead of writing out a complex recipe, you start off with what you know has worked for your past dishes. As you progress, you add more of one ingredient and then more of another, gradually t...
PRINCE2 Foundation & Practitioner
PRINCE2® is like a recipe book for project management: just like a recipe book provides step-by-step instructions for preparing a dish, PRINCE2® provides a structured framework for managing projects. It helps ensure that all the necessary steps are fol...
PRINCE2® Practitioner
Why choose the PRINCE2® Practitioner? If you’re looking to build on your foundational understanding of PRINCE2® Project Management methodology then this course is for you. PRINCE2® (Projects IN Controlled Environments) is a globally recognised framewor...
PMI Agile Project Management
Why choose the PMI Agile Project Management? The PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP) course is a professional certification which works to enhance your ability to bring agility and self-sufficiency in project management. Agile projects involve self-...
Full Stack Web Development
Code Institute’s Diploma in Full Stack Software Development is credit-rated by University of the West of Scotland, making it the only credit-rated coding bootcamp in Europe. It’s an in-depth, flexible, online coding course, with 600 hours of lear...
IT Security Collection
This collection is packed with everything you need to become a cybersecurity expert. From hardware and software to networking and security, the cybersecurity collection covers it all. If you have a grasp of the basics and would like to push yourself wi...
Big Data Collection
Do you have a passion for IT and a desire to embark on a career in tech? Whether you dream of being a data scientist or want to work in IT management – this collection is for you. Learn how to maximise your data using Microsoft, Oracle and Cloud...
Coding Course for Beginners
Code Institute’s Diploma in Full Stack Software Development is credit-rated by University of the West of Scotland, making it the only credit-rated coding bootcamp in Europe. It’s an in-depth, flexible, online coding course, with 600 hours of lear...
Senior Cyber Security Professional
Why choose the Senior Cyber Security Professional Pathway? A Senior Cyber Security Professional is one of the most exciting and fastest-growing careers in tech. A highly sought-after role that requires a combination of education, skills development, an...
PRINCE2® Foundation
Why choose the PRINCE2® Foundation? PRINCE2® is the global standard for project management, and this certificate gets you well on the way to a rewarding and lucrative role as a project manager. The course will give you a clear understanding of the PRIN...
Cyber Security Pathway
Why choose the Cyber Security Pathway? For those with experience in IT, the Cyber Security Pathway will help you gain the most requested certifications for the skills that employers need. With certifications from tech and cyber giants such as CompTIA,...
Certified Ethical Hacker (C|EH) Pathway
Why choose the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) Pathway? This pathway will help you demonstrate that you have what you need to identify and mitigate cyber security threats by becoming a Certified Ethical Hacker through the EC-Council. Our professionally...
Certified Associate in Project Management – CAPM
Why choose the Certified Associate in Project Management – CAPM? The PMI Certified Associate Project Management (CAPM) certification validates an individual’s understanding of the fundamental knowledge, terminology, and processes of effecti...
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.