HNC/HND Business at SCQF levels 7 and 8

The HNC and HND in Business qualifications are based on employer needs established through a robust consultation and validation process. The qualifications therefore provide skills 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.

HNC and HND Business qualifications are designed for candidates who wish to pursue a career in business — but don’t wish to commit themselves to a specialist area at the outset.

They are suitable for a wide range of candidates including:

• school leavers
• adult returners to education
• those in employment who wish to enhance their career prospects those who are, or wish to be, self-employed and require a broad grounding in business

Access

Access is at the discretion of the centre. Examples of appropriate entry qualifications are:

• NC Business at SCQF level 5
• Business Management Higher (SCQF level 6)
• relevant National Qualifications or National Qualification Group Awards at SCQF level 5 or 6 any two National Qualifications at Higher level together with three Standard Grade passes at 3 or above
   
• an SVQ Level 2 or 3 in a relevant area

HNC and HND Business will prepare candidates for entry to a wide range of job roles within business organisations.

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 are eligible to seek approval through their own internal approval process.

Centres without devolved authority will have to come forward for approval and should contact the Business Development Team for guidance in completing the combined CA1/SA1 form.

Assessors and verifiers must be able to meet SQA's general requirements as outlined in the guide to approval.

Specific approval requirements
Centres require ICT facilities for the delivery and assessment of the following Units:

IT in Business: Spreadsheets (F84V 34)
IT Applications Software 1 (D75X 35)
Information and Communication Technology in Business (F84W 35)

Centres should keep up-to-date with developments in legislation and business practices relevant to the knowledge and skills within the Group Awards.

Assessment is on an ongoing Unit-by-Unit basis. Each individual Unit specification provides detailed information on the Evidence Requirements and guidance on approaches to assessment.

Candidates will also be assessed via a Graded Unit towards the end of the programme. The purpose of Graded Units is to grade the candidate’s ability to integrate the knowledge and skills gained in the mandatory Units.

The Graded Units are:

• Business: Graded Unit 1 (F8LD 34) Examination based on a seen case study at SCQF level 7
• Business: Graded Unit 2: (F8LE 35) Project Investigation at SCQF level 8