HND Business

HND in Business SQA
Supported Home Study
Course Summary

HNDs are valuable qualifications; Find out how to improve your career and income for the long term.
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'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.

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!

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

HNC in Business: Necessary Foundation before progression to HND
Build yourself a solid foundation with subjects like:

• Managing People and Organisations
• Communication: Analysing and present complex communication
• Using Software Application Packages
• Business Accounting
• Marketing: An introduction
• Economic Issues: An introduction
• Information Technology
• Business Culture and Strategy

HNDs

Expand your business knowledge with specialist subjects which include:

• Business Law
• Financial Forecasts
• Contractual Relationships
• Office Administration
• Statistics for Business
• Behavioural Skills for Business
• Customer Care
• Preparing a Business Plan
• IT in Business
• Economic Theory: Micro and macro theory and application
• Economic Theory: The World Economy
• Human Resource Management

You can either keep your options open by building enough credits to create a general business HND, or you can deepen your expertise in your specialist area by adding the following credit bearing units:

Business with Human Resource Management

• Introduction to Managing the Human Resource
• Training and Developing the Workforce
• Grievance and Discipline Handling
• Human Resources Management and Practice

Business with Information Technology

• Office Technologies
• Presentation Skills
• Advanced Word-processing
• Advanced Databases
• Advanced Spreadsheets

Business with Accounting

• Recording Financial Information
• Financial Reporting and Analysis
• Management Accounting for Decision-making
• Business Accounting projects

Business with Marketing

• Marketing: An introduction to practice
• International Marketing
• Market Research Applications
• Planning for a Domestic Market
• Market Research Theory