What is HND? An HND stands for Higher National Diploma and is a level 5 qualification, which is equivalent to that of a foundation degree. Basically, it differs from a Bachelor’s Degree as it a more practicable, yet versatile course with high emphasis on coursework and implementing the content studied into practice, instead of undergoing heaps of exams at the end of the academic year!
Higher National Diploma HND qualifications have a propensity for practical subjects such as health and social care, hospitality and business.
If you are someone who wants to pursue a practical course in a subject area or sector that interests you, then an HND course could be the perfect solution for you. It will offer you a more relaxed setting focusing on teaching you practical skills, and providing you with real-life work experience. And if in the future, you want to step on to a degree or any other higher education qualification, an HND is a smart starting point.
Higher National Diplomas are vocational courses and can be studied in a wide range of subjects or fields. At Mont Rose College, we offer HND courses in the following subjects:
- HND in Business Accounting and Finance
- HND in Business Marketing
- HND in Health and Social Care
- HND in Healthcare Management
- HND in Hospitality Management
HND courses generally need two years to complete.
Each HND course has been developed with the help and guidance of industry experts, teachers and employers working along with each other to ensure the course content openly signifies particular industry requirements and demands. The pragmatic nature of the Higher National Diploma HND qualification trains students for the professional implementation of the practical skills and expertise they have studied.
HND courses have been designed to develop a learning environment that will help your academic advancement and give endless opportunities to join and enjoy real-world work experience. There are numbers of university courses offering similar schemes, with just one-year internships and work placements available. Unlike these placement schemes at Colleges and Universities that add additional year to your study, HND courses come with real-world, useful exercises, providing the opportunity to work in teams— an essential skill that proves priceless when the time comes to step into the modern business world, while signifying on your own experiences and expertise in the workplace, creating a unique place among professional bodies.
Along with the work-related skills on offer, HND qualifications include tutoring and coursework focused on the core areas of your elected subject or field. From business marketing to healthcare management and hospitality management to health and social care, an HND course is divided into several modules that have to be completed for successful completion of the course. Each module whether mandatory or optional gives a thorough understanding and knowledge of a certain discipline and guides you with the essential practical skills that are directly transferable in your preferred sector.
What is HND and How It Will Help Your Career?
There are many options available to you when considering to take up a Higher National Diploma HND course. Mont Rose College has well-equipped campuses in Ilford and offers a wide range of HND qualifications. Pursuing an HND course at MRC can be a stepping stone to your rewarding career. Studying HND in a city like London can certainly open up a wide range of opportunities for your career.
An HND is basically a vocational qualification and is a 2-year full-time course— that means you can earn a great, significant professional qualification in a moderately short period of time.
HNDs are much more skill focused and practice-based. Nowadays employers and organizations look for someone having a good, thorough understanding of the particular skills essential to perform the role rather than the theoretical ones— which are usually taught in degrees.
One of the most appreciated choices you can make is to get hands-on work experience while studying, and this is what makes MRC different from other colleges. Doing so boosts what you have been taught and also allows time to implement learnings to real-life work conditions. It is also a brilliant opportunity to make some useful connections that may help you in the future.
What is HND? Is there Any Scope for Further Education after Completing an HND Course?
The beauty of a Higher National Diploma is— on successful completion of this course, there are many options available to you. They include continuing higher education through a degree or a professional qualification or going into full-time work.
Although an HND is itself a great qualification to earn, those HND graduates who are looking to complete additional higher study can choose to top-up to a full degree, that is a Bachelor’s, Honours Degree. It requires an additional year of study. At the end of the course, you will gain a Bachelors’s Degree with Honours. It is important to look for colleges and universities that offer top-up courses. At MRC you can enroll for a top-up program in:
- Business Management
- Accounting and Finance
- International Hospitality Management
Nowadays, it has become a popular choice among HND graduates to top-up their HND into a degree, as it needs just an extra year of study to earn a full-fledged degree. An HND course offers the widest possible range of higher education choices. Certainly, many students consider pursuing an HND and then topping it up to a degree, as the perfect combination of theoretical and practical skills. And if you don’t want to continue your education on successful completion of your HND, don’t worry— the HND itself is a notable qualification alone and will certainly increase your future earning potential.
Going Straight into a Career after Completing Your HND Qualification
On completion of your HND qualification or after the final year, you can directly choose to get into your preferred career depending on the requirements and demands of the potential employers.
Holding an HND qualification can also benefit you in interviews as you can tell more about your practical skills and experience. Employers and organizations will value and appreciate that real-world, applied experience. You can even endorse the technical skills and experience attained during the course and how this relates to your chosen sector.
Topping up to a Full-Fledged Degree
Once you have completed your HND qualification, you may wish to continue with your studies as part of your wider, brighter career plan. The best part is that— with an HND this is totally feasible. It is possible with several courses that an HND can generally add up towards either the first year or even the initial two years of a degree course.
Many students prefer topping-up to an Honours Degree abroad which helps them undergo a brilliant life experience and also actively help to attain practical experience in your selected sector, especially if it’s in the hospitality management or business sector. Make sure to explore your available options with funding, as you will expectantly qualify for a student loan.
What is HND? Will It Boost My Earning Potential?
The answer is most certainly, YES. In recent years, HND courses have grown in popularity with employers. This is because of the focus on practical skills that HND qualifications offer, aimed at providing students with the tools they require to do a brilliant job in their preferred field.
Employers are progressively looking for graduates with these skills, knowledge and will thus reward them accordingly. Formerly, it was believed by the majority that it is important to complete either a vocational course or a traditional degree. With a modern-day HND however, this is no longer the case.
Is an HND Qualification Right for Me?
Knowing whether to pursue an HND very much depends on your future career plans. For the majority of students, studying at a top college or university would cost them a higher fee, in addition to studying time lengthening to three or four years. On the contrary, an HND takes just two years to complete, when studying full-time. With an HND qualification, you are well prepared, with practical skills that enable you to work and learn in the most demanding environments.
Decision Time! Choose Mont Rose College for Your HND Qualification
So, it is time to think about the next crucial step for your career. It is not always simple to make big decisions about your career and future, but with the help of right support and guidance, you can often reach a decision that’s good for you.
MRC offers a variety of HND courses including Business Marketing, Health and Social Care, and Hospitality Management. Our responsive team at Mont Rose College can help you decide on your career options during the completion of your HND qualification. Aspiring students can explore more information about Mont Rose College and its courses via the website. For more details on entry requirements for the HND course, tuition fees, how an HND course has the capability to help you at work and act as a stepping stone to higher education and better career, get in touch with us today. We are happy to resolve any of your queries related to Higher National Certificate HNC and HND and help you in finding the right course.