HNC Hospitality

The HNC in Hospitality meets the needs of employers in a broad range of Hospitality businesses.

This qualification develops practical skills as well as supervisory and management skills. It also encourages planning, analysis, study and research skills, and critical and evaluative thinking.

HNC Hospitality can be delivered on a part-time or open-learning basis and opens up the possibility of continued study for candidates.

Who does the qualification suit?

HNC Hospitality is suitable for a wide range of candidates including:

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

Access

Entry is at the discretion of the centre.

HNC Hospitality helps candidates to gain an understanding of supervisory roles within the Hospitality industry and the skills required for such roles. Candidates will also gain an understanding of the structure and organisation of the industry, and its influence on the economy. 

Candidates will develop knowledge and skills in the main operational areas, such as food and beverage service styles and techniques, and food hygiene and control systems. There are a number of optional Units to choose from, allowing candidates to pursue an element of vocational specialism in areas including food production, accommodation services, front office, or alcoholic beverages and licensed house operations.

Candidates will also be able to develop their planning, analysis, study, research and critical and evaluative thinking skills.

It is possible to progress from HNC Hospitality to HND Hospitality Management.

The HNC/HND provides a route to degree level study.

What approvals are needed?

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

Centres without devolved authority will have 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 Guide to Approval.

Ongoing course assessment will apply. Units are assessed via a number of methods including case study reports, practical performance and written assessment under controlled conditions. Unit specifications are available for each Unit and detail exactly what the evidence requirements and assessment procedures are.

The single-credit HNC Hospitality Graded Unit is assessed through a case study. The case study involves gathering and interpreting information, analysing, decision-making, and planning for action.