HND Business

About the course

Higher Nationals are level 4 and 5 qualifications – equivalent to a foundation degree or the first
two years of a full degree. They are vocational courses with an emphasis on ‘learning by
doing’; focusing on the skills and knowledge needed for a particular industry.

Studying this course will enable you to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to be a
great business all-rounder, improving your employability and promotional potential. You will
study a wide range of local and global business issues, developing key transferable skills such as
strategic thinking, problem solving and leadership. Each unit focuses on the theoretical
knowledge, professional expertise and work-based learning relevant to a variety of areas including
management, human resources, marketing, accounting, business strategy and business law.

Students will have access to: The Learning Resource Centre (Incl. Library); Computer Rooms; Large Restaurant and Social Area; Sports Centre with gym, sports hall and 3G football pitch.

This course can be studied full-time or part-time over 32 weeks (64 weeks for the HND) on Monday’s and Tuesday’s, 12-14 hours per week.

Topics in year one include: Business & the Business Environment; Marketing Essentials; Human Resource Management; Management & Operations; Management Accounting; Managing a Successful Business Project.

Additional units: Business Law; Entrepreneurship & Small Business Management

Topics in year two include: Research Project; Organisational Behaviour

Additional units: Operations and Project Management; Understanding and Leading Change; Global Business Environment; Business Strategy; Pitching and Negotiating Skills.

Entry requirements

GCSE English and Maths, 9 - 4 (A* - C). Alternative equivalency testing may be undertaken plus one of the following:

An A Level profile that demonstrates strong performance in a relevant subject or adequate
performance in more than one subject
Other related Level 3 qualification(s)
Access Diploma - in Public Services or Social Studies
Ideally, in a relevant subject such as Business, Law, Economics, Marketing, Accounting or Finance.

For students over 18, suitable work experience may be taken into consideration instead of formal academic studies.

Where next?

On successful completion of the HND, depending on your grade, you may be able to complete a
second or third ‘top- up’ year of a suitable degree such as a BA(Hons) in Business. Alternatively,
you will be well placed to pursue a career across almost any industry or business sector.

Example job roles: