From September 2024, Abingdon & Witney College will offer Higher National Certificates (HNCs) and Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) in addition to our current provision of Foundation Degrees and Undergraduate courses.

Through the College, you can study a HNC or HND in Animal Zoology, Equine Performance, Engineering, Computing, and Construction; with more subjects planned to follow next year.

Jargon Buster - what are HNCs, HNDs and HTQs?

Higher National Certificates

Higher National Certificates (HNCs) are Level 4 qualifications. They usually take one year to complete and they are equivalent to the first year of a bachelors degree.

HNCs can prepare you to go directly into the workplace, or in some cases they give you direct entry into the second year of a bachelors degree programme.

Higher National Diplomas

Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) are Level 5 qualifications. They usually take two years to complete and they are equivalent to the first two years of a bachelors degree.

HNDs can prepare you to go directly into the workplace, or in some cases they give you direct entry into the third year of a bachelors degree programme.

Higher Technical Qualifications

Higher Technical Qualifications are 'quality approved' HNCs and HNDs.

They can be identified by the HTQ quality mark logo, indicating that the course is recognised by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) to have met the knowledge and skills needed by the sector.

Understanding each Level

HNCs and HNDs follow on from Level 3 qualifications and can prepare you for a Level 6 qualification, should you choose not to enter employment straight away.

Level 3

Level 3 qualifications come in lots of different forms but the most commonly recognised are A Levels, T Levels, and Level 3 vocational certificates.

Level 4

Higher National Certificates are a Level 4 qualification, just like our Foundation Art and Accounting courses.

Level 5

Higher National Diplomas are a Level 5 qualification, like our Foundation Degrees in subjects such as Business and Management Practice, and Early Years.

Level 6

Should you choose to progress your study, you can find 'Top Up' courses from a variety of Universities and Colleges. These are short courses which convert your HNC or HND into a full Bachelors Degree, otherwise known as a Level 6 qualification.