Higher National Certificate

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

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland the HNC is a BTEC qualification awarded by Edexcel and in Scotland is a Higher National awarded by the Scottish Qualifications Authority. The attainment level is roughly equivalent to first year of university and a Certificate of Higher Education but being below that of a Higher National Diploma (HND) and two below that of a bachelor's degree. Studied fulltime, the qualification normally takes one year, or part time over two years.

It is usual for HNCs to cover roughly the same area as the HND, but is designed for part-time study, so the quantity, but not standard of work is less. It is quite common for those who have passed an HNC to upgrade their qualification by either undertaking a further level to obtain an HND or another two levels, to obtain a bachelor's degree.

In Scotland an HND is Level 7 on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework and in England, Wales and Northern Ireland it is Level 4 on the National Qualifications Framework. It is quite common for those who have achieved a HND to add to their qualification by progressing to other levels such as professional qualifications, or a degree.

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