NextGen: HN delivery 2026-27

To help centres prepare for the delivery of NextGen: HNs from 2026-27 onwards, we have provided answers to some common questions below.

Use the tabs below to open each section individually. Alternatively you can show all the sections.

Which NextGen: HN qualifications are available for centres to deliver from 2026-27?

  • 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- maternity care pathway
  • HNC Healthcare Practice - Nursing pathway
  • HNC Horticulture
  • HND Horticulture
  • HND Networking and Cloud Infrastructure
  • HNC Physical Activity and Health
  • HND Physical Activity and Health
  • HNC Social Sciences
  • HND Social Sciences
  • HNC Social Services
  • HND Software Development
  • HNC Television
  • HND Television
  • HND Radio and Podcasting

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. 

My centre has never delivered NextGen: HN qualifications, how can my centre get approval?

You can find information about qualification approval on the ‘Deliver another qualification’ web page from 1 February 2026.

My centre was involved in piloting NextGen: HN qualifications, how do I apply to deliver further qualifications?

You can find information about qualification approval on the ‘Deliver another qualification’ web page from 1 February 2026.

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?

We’ll accept devolved authority approval applications for NextGen: HN qualifications from 1 February 2026, with 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 the ‘Deliver another qualification’ web page from 1 February 2026.

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?

From 1 August 2026 there will be 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.

HNC qualifications have a 3-year lapsing period until 31 July 2029, while HND qualifications have a 4-year lapsing period until 31 July 2030.

The qualifications will finish at the end of these lapsing periods.

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 may risk learners not completing the qualification before the 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 on 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.

Which qualifications are still under development?

We’re continuing to develop the following NextGen: HN qualifications:

  • HND Administration Management and Digital Business Technologies
  • HND Beauty Therapy
  • HND Dance
  • HND Complementary Therapies
  • HNC Fashion and Textiles Industries
  • HND Fashion and Textiles Industries
  • HNC Healthcare Practice - AHP - Paramedic
  • HNC Healthcare Practice - AHP - Physiotherapy
  • HNC Healthcare Practice - AHP - Speech & Language Therapy

How will you share information on what qualifications will be developed next?

We’ll update on any new developments on our NextGen: HN web pages and through our weekly newsletter.

What support will Qualifications Scotland provide for centres delivering NextGen: HN qualifications for the first time?

You can find information on our NextGen: HN webpages, alongside our available online learning modules for practitioners and learners.

We’ll also continue working with centres to understand what additional support they may need.

Will the transition from SQA to Qualifications Scotland impact NextGen: HN?

We’ll replace SQA branding with Qualifications Scotland branding on NextGen: HN documents over time.