Which NextGen: HN qualifications are available for centres to deliver?

• HNC Accounting
• HND Accounting
• HNC Acting and Performance
• HND Acting and Performance
• HNC Administration and Digital Business Technologies
• HNC Agriculture
• HND Agriculture
• HNC Beauty Therapy
• HNC Childhood Practice
• HNC Complementary Therapies
• HNC Computing
• HND Computer Science 
• HNC Dance 
• HND Data Science 
• HNC Engineering
• HND Engineering
• HNC eSports
• HNC Healthcare Practice – Perinatal care pathway (restricted delivery)
• HNC Healthcare Practice – Nursing pathway (restricted delivery)
• HNC Horticulture
• HND Horticulture
• HND Networking and Cloud Infrastructure
• HNC Physical Activity and Health
• HND Physical Activity and Health
• HND Radio and Podcasting
• HNC Social Sciences
• HND Social Sciences
• HNC Social Services
• HND Software Development
• HNC Television
• HND Television

Where can I find documents about NextGen: HN qualifications, such as unit specifications, educator guides and grading packs?

You can find these on the NextGen: HN course documents web page.

How many SCQF credits points / SQA credits do NextGen: HNCs and HNDs have?

NextGen: HNCs and HNDs both have 120 SCQF credit points / 15 SQA credits and are standalone qualifications. 

The existing HNC has 80 SCQF credit points / 12 SQA credits. The existing HND has 240 SCQF credit points / 30 SQA credits and combines the HNC and HND. 

How can my centre get approval to deliver NextGen: HN qualifications?

You can find guidance on the qualification approval process on our ‘Becoming a centre’ page.

Do I have to apply separately for each qualification my centre would like to deliver?

Yes, you must submit a separate application for each qualification in a different subject area. However, you can apply to deliver different levels of the same qualification in one application (HNC and HND). 

How long does the centre approval process take and how will my centre be informed of the outcome?

Please speak to your account manager about the timeline for the approval application process. We’ll email you with the outcome following the approval activity. 

Will NextGen: HN qualifications be devolved, for centres with devolved status?

Yes, we’ll accept devolved authority approval applications for NextGen: HN qualifications approval granted from 1 August 2026.

Will my centre receive automatic approval to deliver a NextGen: HN qualification if we’re approved to deliver the existing HN?

No, you must apply for approval through the qualification approval process to deliver NextGen: HN qualifications from 2026-27. You can find more information about this on ‘Becoming a centre’.

Will my centre receive automatic approval to deliver a NextGen: HN qualification if we’ve previously delivered through the pilot or restricted delivery phase? 

Yes, if your centre was previously approved to deliver NextGen: HN qualifications, this will automatically continue.

Are there any limits on the number of learners we can enrol onto NextGen: HN qualifications?

There is no limit on the number of learners you can enrol onto a NextGen: HN qualification.

Can my centre enrol part-time learners onto NextGen: HN qualifications?

This decision is at the discretion of your centre.

What are the lapsing periods and finish dates for existing HN qualifications which have an NextGen: HN equivalent?

Existing HN qualifications which have a NextGen: HN equivalent will enter their lapsing period on 1 August 2026. Generally:

• HNCs have a 3-year lapsing period, finishing on 31 July 2029
• HNDs have a 4-year lapsing period, finishing on 31 July 2030 
• HNCs which also have an SQA Advanced Certificate equivalent have a 5-year lapsing period, finishing on 31 July 2031
• HNDs which also have an SQA Advanced Diploma equivalent have a 6-year lapsing period, finishing on 31 July 2032

The exceptions to this are the HNs and finishing dates below:

• HNC Professional Dance Performance – 31 July 2031
• HND Professional Dance Performance – 31 July 2032
• HNC Electrical Engineering – 31 July 2029
• HND Electrical Engineering – 31 July 2030
• HNC Electronics – 31 July 2029
• HND Electronics – 31 July 2030
• HNC Engineering System – 31 July 2029
• HND Engineering Systems – 31 July 2030
• HNC Mechanical Engineering – 31 July 2029
• HND Mechanical Engineering – 31 July 2030

You can find full details of HN lapsing and finishing dates on our notification of change spreadsheet, the HN catalogue, and HN annual update report. These are available on the Higher National Qualifications page of our website.

Can my centre still offer the existing HN version of NextGen: HN qualifications?

You can still deliver existing qualifications during their lapsing period, but you will need to ensure the learner completes it before the qualification’s finish date.

How will we know that the existing HN qualifications have had a finish date applied?

We’ll continue to notify you about qualification finish dates and lapsing periods by updating our notification of change spreadsheet, the HN catalogue and HN annual update report. You can find these documents the Higher National Qualifications page of our website.

What happens to the units of an existing HN qualification when it’s finished?

You can enter learners for any existing HN qualification units providing they’re part of an active group award. However, if the units are part of an inactive group award, they will have a finish date applied and will be removed from the portfolio.

What support is available for centres delivering NextGen: HN qualifications for the first time?

You can find a range of resources to help you deliver NextGen: HN qualifications on our Support page.