Higher National Diploma (HND) in Business

Who is this qualification for?

The BTEC Higher National qualifications in Business are aimed at students wanting to continue their education through applied learning. Higher Nationals provide a wide-ranging study of the business sector and are designed for students who wish to pursue or advance their career in business. In addition to the knowledge, understanding and skills that underpin the study of the business sector, Pearson BTEC Higher Nationals in Business give students experience of the breadth and depth of the sector that will prepare them for further study or training.

Aims of the Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Business

The Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Business offers students six specialist pathways designed to support progression into relevant occupational areas or on to degree-level study. These pathways are linked to Professional Body standards (where appropriate) and can provide professional status and progression to direct employment.

Holders of the Level 5 Higher National Diploma will have developed a sound understanding of the principles in their field of study and will have learned to apply those principles more widely. They will have learned to evaluate the appropriateness of different approaches to solving problems. They will be able to perform effectively in their chosen field and will have the qualities necessary for employment in situations requiring the exercise of personal responsibility and decision-making.

What could these qualifications lead to? 

The Level 5 Higher National Diploma is recognised by Higher Education providers as meeting admission requirements to many relevant business-related courses, for example:

• BSc (Hons) in Business and Management
• BA and BSc (Hons) in Business Studies
• BSc (Hons) in International Management.

Students should always check the entry requirements for degree programmes at specific Higher Education providers. After completing a BTEC Higher National Certificate or Diploma, students can also progress directly into employment.

1 – Age restriction
Minimum: 18

• HNC in Business Other related Level 4 business qualifications

2 – HNC in Business or other related Level 4 business qualifications

3 – Mature entry
Appropriate work experience

4 – APEL / APL
Students already in employment or with relevant previous experience

5 – English Language Competency
Minimum: CEFR B2
PTE Academic = 51 (in all 4 skills) or IELTS = 5.5 (in all 4 skills)

6 – General Entry Requirements
The City of London College seeks to recruit students of outstanding achievement and potential from all educational backgrounds, so good examination results are the main factor in the admission of students to our courses with atleast a Grade C in English and Mathematics at GCSE O Level or equivalent. In addition to this, we can also use other information supplied to us to ensure we admit students with the most outstanding potential. This information might include: prior and predicted grades, evidence of knowledge and commitment in your personal statement, employer and teacher references, performance at interview and any exceptional circumstances or personal barriers to learning that you have faced. This allows us to build up a full and rounded view of all our applicants.
Although Pearson do not specify formal entry requirements, as a centre we take responsibility to ensure that our prospective students have a reasonable expectation of success on the programme.

For students who have recently been in education, the entry profile therefore is likely to include one of the following:

• A BTEC Level 4 qualification in Business
• 40% average from a first year of a business qualification
• A foundation degree in another field
• Related work experience
• An international equivalent of the above.

We consider applicants’ prior learning when considering their acceptance on a BTEC Higher Nationals, through Recognition of Prior Learning.

The skills offered as part of the Pearson BTEC Higher National Diploma can provide graduates with the opportunity to work in many different areas of the business sector. Below are some examples of job roles each qualification could lead to:

• People and culture coordinator
• Assistant recruitment manager
• HR consultant
• Assistant marketing manager
• Digital marketing executive
• Digital marketing specialist
• Finance officer
• Accounts assistant
• Contract officer
• Supply chain executive

These job roles are based on descriptions from The National Occupational Standards for Business and Management – industry standards for skills, developed in collaboration with employers, professional bodies and others which make it easier for employers to describe job roles, externally and internally.

How Higher Nationals in Business provide both transferable employability skills and academic study skills?

Students need both relevant qualifications and employability skills to enhance their career prospects and contribute to their personal development. Pearson Higher National business qualifications embed throughout the programme the development of key skills, attributes and strengths required by 21st century employers.

Where employability skills are referred to in this specification, this generally refers to skills in three main categories:

• Cognitive and problem-solving skills: critical thinking, approaching non-routine problems by applying expert and creative solutions, use of systems and digital technology, generating and communicating ideas creatively.
• Intra-personal skills: self-management, adaptability and resilience, self-monitoring and self-development, self-analysis and reflection, planning and prioritising.
• Interpersonal skills: effective communication and articulation of information, working collaboratively, negotiating and influencing, self-presentation.

Students can also benefit from opportunities for deeper learning, where they are able to make connections between units and select areas of interest for detailed study. In this way BTEC Higher Nationals provide a vocational context in which students can develop the knowledge and academic study skills required for progression to university degree courses, including:

• Active research skills
• Effective writing skills
• Analytical skills
• Critical thinking
• Creative problem-solving
• Decision-making
• Team building
• Exam preparation skills
• Digital literacy
• Competence in assessment methods used in higher education