Higher National Certificate

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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

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

External links

Directgov: Higher National Certificates and Higher National Diplomas
Higher National Awards (Engineering Council) Archived 2008-04-12 at the Wayback Machine
Equivalency and acceptance for Incorporated Engineer registration (e.g.) Archived 2016-03-10 at the Wayback Machine

v t e National qualifications frameworks in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
For higher levels, compare with the FHEQ system.
Level 8	City & Guilds Fellowship
Level 7	City & Guilds Membership, BTEC Advanced Professional Diploma, National Diploma, Level 5 NVQ (historical)
Level 6	City & Guilds Associateship, City & Guilds Graduateship, NEBOSH National Diploma, National Diploma, BTEC Advanced Professional Diploma, Level 5 NVQ (historical)
Level 5	Higher National Diploma, Higher National Certificate, Level 4 NVQ (historical)
Level 4	City & Guilds Licentiateship, Level 4 NVQ (historical)
Level 3	BTEC Extended Diploma, BTEC National Certificate, NEBOSH National General Certificate, Access to Higher Education Diploma, Advanced Extension Award, International Baccalaureate, Extended Project Qualification, Cambridge Pre-U, A-level, City & Guilds Advanced Craft (historical), Level 3 NVQ (historical), National Diploma* (historical), Ordinary National Certificate (historical), Advanced Diploma (historical)
Level 2	GCSE (grades 9–4 or A–C), Functional Skills (at Level 2), BTEC First Diploma, OCR Nationals, City & Guilds Craft (historical), Level 2 NVQ (historical), Skills for Life (historical)
Level 1	GCSE (grades 3–1 or D–G), BTEC Introductory Diploma, Introductory Certificate, Functional Skills (at Level 1), Level 1 NVQ (historical), Foundation Diploma (historical), Skills for Life* (historical)
Entry	Functional Skills (at Entry Level), Skills for Life* (historical),
* certain subjects fall under this level.

Category:

Educational qualifications in the United Kingdom

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