HNC/HND Administration and Information Technology

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.

The HNC and HND in Administration and Information Technology offer a number of benefits to candidates:

• they provide skills, knowledge and capabilities needed for employment
• they enable progression to higher education
• they can enhance career prospects
• teaching and assessment can be aligned to the candidate's workplace
• achievement is certified and nationally recognised

The HNC and HND Administration and Information Technology are appropriate for those who have an interest in a career in administration at any level. The HND in Administration and Information Technology develops further skills and knowledge for those interested in managerial roles and/or further academic study. Learners are likely to come from the following groups:

• school leavers
• adult returners to education
• those in employment who wish to enhance their career prospects

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
• any two National Qualifications at Higher
• any relevant National Qualifications Group Award at SCQF level 5 or 6
• an SVQ 2 or 3 in Business and Administration or IT
• training programmes or qualifications from bodies other than SQA
• relevant work experience

Progression and employment

Learners who achieve an HNC Administration and Information Technology can progress to the HND in Administration and Information Technology.

Learners achieving the HNC or HND in Administration and Information Technology may have the option of progressing to:

• second year or third year of a Business, Administration, Management or IT related degree
• employment in an administrative/senior administrative/managerial role

HNC/HND Administration and Information Technology may provide some underpinning knowledge for SVQs in Business and Administration at SCQF level 6 and SCQF level 7/8.

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

Centres without devolved authority require 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.

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

• Each unit is internally assessed.
• Graded units are internally assessed and are allocated a grade.
• A range of assessment methods is appropriate throughout HNC/HND qualifications.
• Assessment may be integrated across units where content and/or context aligns.
• Assessment/e-assessment support packs are available for this qualification.

Understanding Standards material is available for all Administration and Information Technology Graded Units (log-in required).