HNC/HND Business

Higher National qualifications provide practical skills and theoretical knowledge that meet the needs of employers. The HNC in Business (SCQF level 7) develops knowledge and skills in areas such as business organisations.

This qualification covers areas such as Accounting for Business, Economic Issues, Managing People and Organisations, Marketing and Business Fundamentals with Emerging Technologies.

The HND in Business (SCQF level 8) builds on the knowledge and skills of the HNC and also covers management and organisational skills.

This qualification covers areas such as Preparing Financial Forecasts, Economics: Micro and Macro Theory and Application, Economics: The World Economy, Managing Business Culture and Strategy, Project Management: Strategy, Decision Making and Risk and Business Law.

This qualification is available through colleges, training providers and some universities. Typically, an HNC takes one year to complete and a HND takes two years to complete.

Blog

Keep up to date and engage with all things Accounting, Administration, Business and Financial Service related through our blog.

The following optional guidance can be used to support delivery and assessment as an alternative to the approaches outlined in the Group Award / Unit specification.

Digital Marketing Communications: An Introduction optional assessment guidance 2023-24

Higher National qualifications have been developed by SQA in partnership with colleges, universities, and industry ¿ so employers recognise that they provide sound evidence of ability.

The unit-based structure supports flexibility. A unit is typically 40 hours of timetabled learning.

There is a wide choice of optional units which will enable centres to offer courses tailored to meet local needs.

This HN provides progression routes to further study (see Progression).

The HNC and HND in Business qualifications are based on employer needs established through a robust consultation and validation process. This means that the qualifications provide skills that are required by industry and business.

Achievement is certificated and nationally recognised.

The qualifications can be tailored to the needs and circumstances of candidates. They can be delivered on a part-time or open-learning basis, and teaching and assessment can be aligned to the candidate's job role if appropriate.

The HNC and HND Business is suitable for a wide range of candidates including:

  • school leavers
  • adult returners to education
  • individuals in employment who wish to enhance their career prospects
  • people who wish to start their own business

Access

As with all SQA qualifications, entry is at the discretion of the centre. Examples of formal entry qualifications include:

  • appropriate groupings of National Units
  • an SVQ at SCQF Level 5 or 6 in a relevant area
  • relevant work experience

Different combinations of relevant National Qualifications, vocational qualifications and equivalent qualifications from other awarding bodies may also be acceptable.

Employment and progression

HNCs and HNDs can provide progression to degree-level study. For example, the HNC in Business allows direct entry into the second year of most degree programmes, and the HND in Business allows direct entry to most third year programmes.

Higher National qualifications also provide the knowledge and understanding required for related Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs). For example, SVQ in Business and Administration.

The HNC and HND Business enable candidates to acquire skills and knowledge in key business functions such as management, marketing, and finance.

These qualifications also help enhance relevant knowledge and skills in economics, communication, problem solving and information and communication technology.

Successful candidates also have the option to go on to further study at an equivalent or higher level.

Centres with devolved authority for approval should use their own internal approval process.

Centres without devolved authority will need to come forward for approval and should contact SQA¿s Business Development Team for guidance.

Assessors and verifiers must be able to meet SQA¿s general requirements for technical/occupational competence as outlined in the Systems and Qualification Approval Guide.

Centres interested in offering this qualification will need to come forward for approval and should contact SQA¿s Business Development Team for guidance.

Assessors and verifiers must be able to meet SQA¿s general requirements for technical/occupational competence as outlined in the Systems and Qualification Approval Guide. The specific delivery requirements are set out in the group award specification (arrangements document).

Each unit specification gives detailed information on the evidence requirements and approaches to assessment for each unit.

Ongoing course assessment will apply.

Assessment/e-assessment support packs are available for this qualification.

Qualification content and delivery tools

Current

HNC Business

Group award code: GT0415 (96 SCQF credit points)

The HNC in Business requires completion of an appropriate combination of mandatory and optional units totalling 96 SCQF credit points (12 SQA HN credits). A minimum of 48 SCQF credits (six SQA HN credits) must be completed at SCQF level 7.

HND Business

Group award code: GT0516 (240 SCQF credit points)

The HND in Business requires completion of an appropriate combination of mandatory and optional units totalling 240 SCQF credit points (30 SQA HN credits). A minimum of 64 SCQF credits (eight SQA HN credits) must be completed at SCQF level 8.

OpenAssess (www.sqasolar.org.uk/openassess ) is a facility which enables the delivery of formative assessments to support learning within SQA Qualifications. It is part of the SOLAR suite of applications that SQA use to deliver assessment across a range of qualifications. We have released a limited number of formative assessments to support Business, Accounting and Administration and IT Higher National awards. These cover topics such as Meeting skills, employee motivation techniques and Payroll.

The full list of all assessments available through SOLAR, both formative and summative is available on the SOLAR website at www.sqasolar.org.uk

SOLAR Formative Assessment
Additional Information Assessment Title Unit Title Unit No Topics covered
Topic-based formative questions.
11 questions
Marketing: An Introduction Marketing: An Introduction F7BX 34 ALL
Topic-based formative questions.
13 questions
Behavioural skills for Business Behavioural skills for Business F7BX 34 ALL

Network event - March 2023

Network event - March 2022

Network event - March 2021

Network event - February 2020

Network event - February 2019

Update letter 2019

Network event - February 2018

Update letter 2018

Network event - February 2017

Update letter 2017

Lapsing

HND Business G9MM 16

This group award has been replaced.

It entered its lapsing period on: 31/07/2020.

HND Finish Date: 31/07/24

Group Award Arrangements for HN Business

Title: HND Business

Code: G9MM 16 - Version 40

HND Business Arrangement Document