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. 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. 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.