Different qualifications in education are equivalent to different levels. What levels of qualifications you complete often determine what you can do in the future. If you complete qualifications that are equivalent to higher education levels, this could potentially mean that you have more doors open to you in the future! Therefore, it is important to know what level each qualification you complete is equivalent to. After all, you don’t want to use up a load of time and energy to complete a qualification that is at a lower level than you already have!
A higher national diploma (HND) qualification is a Level 5 qualification. This is at a level above a HNC qualification. This means that a HND is equivalent to the first two years of a bachelor’s degree.
You can discover more about what a HND is equivalent to and what you can actually do with a HND qualification if you check out the rest of this article.
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What is a HND?
As already stated, a HND is known as a Level 5 qualification. If you are unsure about what the different levels of education mean, check out this page from the government website.
A HND is a practical based qualification, focusing on preparing individuals for the workplace. This means that it is often looked favourably upon by employers.
The HND you complete will be tailored to a specific career, allowing you to gain hands on experience with a job you want to do in the future! You can find out more about the definition of a HND if you check out this article from Think Student.
What can you do with a HND?
A HND is equivalent to the first two years of a bachelor’s degree at university. This means that after you have completed a HND, you could potentially join a relevant university course in the third year.
This is useful to some students, as it provides an alternative pathway to university if they didn’t get high enough A-Levels or equivalent qualifications. HNDs may also be used in apprenticeships, allowing you to gain necessary qualifications needed for specific company’s employment.
You can also go straight into work after receiving a HND, as you would have gained relevant work experience and knowledge.
You can discover more about HNDs if you check out this article from Indeed.
How long does a HND take to complete?
A HND takes two years to complete full time. If you decide to study part time, it can take three to four years to complete a HND.
This is different to a HNC, which takes one year to complete full time and two years to complete part time. However, this is because a HND is equivalent to the first two years of a degree, whereas a HNC is only equivalent to the first year.
You can find out more about both qualifications if you check out this article from What Uni.
What is the Diploma of Higher Education equivalent to?
A Diploma of Higher Education is often confused with the HND qualification. This is because a Diploma of Higher Education is equivalent to the first two years of a bachelor’s degree and is also a Level 5 qualification.
This means that a HND and Diploma of Higher Education are equivalent qualifications! They also both take the same amount of time to complete.
Despite their similarities, a Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE) and a HND are not the same qualifications. You can find out more about DipHE qualifications if you check out this article from University Compare.
What is the difference between a HND and Diploma of Higher Education?
As already stated, a HND and Diploma of Higher Education are equivalent to each other in terms of levels. However, there is one major difference between them!
The main difference between them is how they are taught and assessed. A HND is a practical based qualification, meaning that it is assessed via projects and hands on activities. This prepares individuals for the workplace.
In comparison, a Diploma of Higher Education is much more focused on academics. This means that individuals are often assessed via exams, essays, and lots of coursework.
Therefore, even though they are equivalent qualifications, the one which you choose to complete is dependent on how you work best. If you learn well engaging in practical tasks, it may be more beneficial for you to do a HND.
However, if you prefer writing essays, a DipHE may be the qualification for you.