Abingdon & Witney College now offer Higher National Certificates (HNCs) and Higher National Diplomas (HNDs), in addition to Foundation Degrees and Undergraduate courses.
Through the College, you can study a HNC or HND in Animal Zoology, Engineering, Computing, or Construction; with Music Production 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 take one or two years to complete and they are equivalent to the first year of a bachelor's 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 bachelor's 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 bachelor's 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 Bachelor's Degree, otherwise known as a Level 6 qualification.
Our HNCs and HNDs
View our full range of HNCs and HNDs
