Higher National Certificate

A Higher National Certificate (HNC) is a higher education/further education qualification in the United Kingdom.

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the HND 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 one year of university and a Certificate of Higher Education but being less 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 National 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

^ SQA - HN Homepage
^ HNCs and HNDs: what they are - Direct.gov.uk, accessed 30 August 2012
^ Higher National Certificate (HNC) - Aimhigher.ac.uk
^ http://www.qca.org.uk/493_15772.html
^ The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (PDF)

External links

Directgov: Higher National Certificates and Higher National Diplomas
Higher National Awards (Engineering Council)
Equivalency and acceptance for Incorporated Engineer registration (e.g.)
Higher National Certificates(HNC)

National Qualifications Framework in England and Wales and Northern Ireland

For higher levels, compare with the FHEQ system.

Level 8	City & Guilds Fellowship,

Level 7	City & Guilds Membership, National Diploma, BTEC Advanced Professional Diploma, Level 5 NVQ

Level 6	City & Guilds Associateship, City & Guilds Graduateship, NEBOSH National Diploma, National Diploma, BTEC Advanced Professional Diploma, Level 5 NVQ

Level 5	Higher National Diploma, Higher National Certificate, Level 4 NVQ

Level 4	City & Guilds Licentiateship, Level 4 NVQ

Level 3	BTEC Extended Diploma, BTEC National Certificate, City & Guilds Level 3, Level 3 NVQ, A-level, National Diploma*, Ordinary National Certificate, Advanced Diploma, NEBOSH National General Cerificate, Access to Higher Education Diploma, Advanced Extension Award, International Baccalaureate, Extended Project Qualification

Level 2	City & Guilds Level 2, Level 2 NVQ, GCSE (grades A* to C), BTEC First Diploma, OCR Nationals, Skills for Life*

Level 1	Level 1 NVQ, GCSE (grades D-G), Foundation Diploma, BTEC Introductory Diploma, Introductory Certificate, Skills for Life*

Entry	English as a foreign or second language (up to level 3), Skills for Life*, Functional Skills, Entry level certificates

* certain subjects fall under this level.

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Higher National Certificate