A Higher National Certificate (HNC), part of the Higher Nationals suite of qualifications, is a higher education/further education qualification in the United Kingdom.

Overview

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the HNC is a BTEC qualification awarded by Edexcel, and in Scotland, an HNC is a Higher National awarded by the Scottish Qualifications Authority.[1] The attainment level of the qualification is roughly equivalent to 6th year at school, or one year of university in Scotland, and a Certificate of Higher Education but being less extensive than that of a Higher National Diploma (HND). Studied full-time, the qualification normally takes one year or two years part-time.[2] Many HNCs cover the same areas as an HND and it is often possible to complete an HND with one year full-time study after successfully completing the HNC.[3]

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, an HNC (previously a level 5 qualification) is now Level 4 on the Regulated Qualifications Framework.[4]

In Ireland, an HNC is considered roughly equivalent to a FETAC level 6 Advanced Certificate; as both contain at least 8 modules/units at IRL level 6 (UK level 4)

In Scotland, an HNC is Level 7 on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework.[5]

References

  1. ↑ civic,sqa. "Higher National Qualifications – HNCs and HNDs". www.sqa.org.uk.
  2. ↑ HNCs and HNDs: what they are – Direct.gov.uk, accessed 30 August 2012 Archived 16 July 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ↑ Higher National Certificate (HNC) – Aimhigher.ac.uk Archived June 23, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
  4. ↑ "The structure of the NQF}". Qualifications and Curriculum Authority. Archived from the original on September 26, 2006. Retrieved October 15, 2006.
  5. ↑ "Guide to Higher National Qualifications" (PDF). Scottish Qualifications Authority.
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