Higher National Diplomas are nationally recognised qualifications specially designed to meet the needs of employers, so they are valuable qualifications to earn if you want to significantly improve your job and career prospects. An HND is a step up from HNC. All HND studies require the completion of the Higher National Certificate or an equivalent qualification before progressing and specialising in the core business disciplines.
What do you need to get started?
It is recommended that you have studied and achieved passes in one of the following:
• A GSVQ (NVQ or GNVQ) at Level 3
• 2 Passes at Higher or above
• A programme of national units related to the course you want to study
• An equivalent qualification or training certificate acceptable as evidence of prior learning
If you are in any doubt about whether you have the right prerequisites to get started on the HND programme, please call us in confidence and without obligation on Freephone 0800 678 1052 to discuss your circumstances. We are ready to help!
What’s more, if you have already gained passes in HN Business units – even if you have not completed a full HNC – you may be eligible for credit transfer. You will need to send us a copy of your unit certificate, detailing what you have studied, in order to determine if a credit transfer is possible. Please be aware that all transfer decisions are made in line with SQA requirements.
Unique opportunity to qualify for a better future at home
These courses have been developed by DCA in partnership with the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and in conjunction with colleges, universities and industry. As such, they work to provide relevant, up-to-date knowledge and skills that are mapped to UK wide competency frameworks. The DCA range of HNC and HND Business courses meet the standards required to improve your long term career prospects earnings. DCA is the only organisation offering home study for HNC and HND on a national basis.
HNCs and HNDs fit into the National Qualifications Framework at level 7, which is about the same level as the first year of a college or university programme, and level 8, which is about the same level as the second year at uni. They are also broadly comparable with vocational qualifications (VQ’s) at levels 4 and 5.
How do they work?
Each course is made up of a number of study units, covering both general and specialised areas of knowledge. A study unit carries either 1 or 2 credits. There are 30 SQA credits in an HND, the first 12 of which are the same as the HNC. We have spread these units across 14 modules, each containing 1 or 2 units. This allows you to tackle the subject matter in manageable sections and to monitor your progress. You will be assessed throughout the course through a variety of means, including multiple-choice tests, written reports, projects and invigilated assessments.
Study at your own pace and earn as you learn.
The part-time distance learning HNC usually takes about a year to complete and the HND course is usually two years, depending on the study hours you have available. However don’t worry. There’s no pressure or timetable and no classes to attend. You have the flexibility to study anywhere and in your own time. You can continue with your present job to earn while you learn!
Flexibility and choice
There are a number of mandatory units which must be completed by all those studying the HND in Business; however DCA has compiled five packages to enable you to concentrate on the areas most relevant to you and your career goals. We have named these packages; HND in Business, HND in Business and Accounting, HND in Business and HR, HND in Business and IT and HND in Business and Marketing. Please be aware that these are simply the terms we have chosen to enable ease of understanding of which units are being studied. Whichever package you choose, on successful completion you will receive an HND in Business. Your certificate will state the units you have covered and it is in this way that proof of your specialism can be given to employers. Please look at the listing for each qualification later in this section to see what subject areas are covered.
What you can do with an HND?
As already mentioned, because HNDs were developed with employers and industry in mind, they are an excellent way to improve your job prospects and increase your earnings potential. Research has shown that people with a qualification at this level typically earn up to double than those without.
In addition, because HNDs are part of the National Qualifications Framework and recognised by the National Qualifications Authority, they may, in some cases also allow you entry into more advanced study at college and university in the second or final year. The credits you earn really add up and tell the world you are an achiever!
Course content
The first part of the HND in Business is the same as the HNC and consists of the following mandatory units:
• Information Technology: Applications Software
• Communication: Analysing and Presenting Complex Communication
• Marketing: An Introduction
• Managing People and Organisations
• Economic Issues: An Introduction
• Using Software Application Packages
• Business Accounting
• Business Culture and Strategy
• Business Graded Unit 1
As explained earlier, DCA has produced five packages to allow you to study the most relevant material for you. The following units will be covered in all five packages:
• Statistics for Business
• Business Law –An Introduction
• Business Contractual Relationships
• Economics 1: Micro and Macro Theory and Application
• Economics 2: The World Economy
• ICT in Business
• Preparing Financial Forecasts
• Behavioural Skills for Business
• Creating a Culture of Customer Care
• Business Graded Unit 2
• Business Graded Unit 3
The following lists which specialist subjects are covered in each package:
HND in Business
• Recording Financial Transactions
• Human Resource Management: An Introduction
• Market Research Theory
• Market Research Applications
• IT in Business –Advanced Word Processing
• IT in Business –Advanced Spreadsheets
• IT in Business –Advanced Databases
HND in Business and Accounting
• Recording Financial Transactions
• Financial Services regulatory Framework
• Developing Skills for Personal Effectiveness
• Company Law
• Record Keeping and Accounting for Small Business
HND in Business and HR
• Human Resource Management: An Introduction
• Grievance and Discipline Handling
• Human Resource Management Practice
• Developing Skills for Personal Effectiveness
• Training and Developing the Workforce
HND in Business and IT
• IT in Business –Advanced Word Processing
• Office Technologies
• IT in Business –Advanced Spreadsheets
• Developing Skills for Personal Effectiveness
• IT in Business –Advanced Databases
• IT in Business –Desk Top Publishing
• Presentation Skills
HND in Business and Marketing
• Market Research Theory
• Market Research Applications
• Marketing Practice –An Introduction
• Developing Skills for Personal Effectiveness
• Marketing Planning for a Domestic Market
• International Marketing –An Introduction
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