At the bottom of the U.K. qualifications hierarchy is the Higher National Certificate (HNC), followed by a diploma of higher education and then the HND. To enroll for any of these qualifications, most colleges require a minimum of one A level or equivalent. Students are assessed through assignments, projects and practical assignments. The London School of Science and Technology is one of the colleges that offer a two-year full-time HND program. The purpose of the diploma is to "develop the student's ability in business, providing a general qualification which allows flexibility of study to meet local or specialist needs," according to the London School of Science and Technology. Like most HND, this course is designed to give a "strong, sector-related emphasis on practical skills development, alongside the development of requisite knowledge and understanding," the school says.
The Brighton School of Business and Management is one of the colleges in the U.K. offering a Higher National Diploma in business. This is an accredited qualification that could lead to a BA Honors Degree at a U.K., U.S. or Australian university. There are several other colleges in the UK offering HNDs in business. Business courses vary from college to college, but some of them are offered online. The Brighton School of Business and Management, for example, offers extensive HNDs in business studies through online classes.
The U.K. government website, Direct.gov.uk, is a comprehensive resource for anyone seeking to pursue an HND in business. Both certificates and diploma courses are offered by over 400 universities and further education courses. The site is linked to another government-administered website, called Nextstep.direct.gov.uk, with several pages detailing HND courses in fields such as accounting, marketing, retail, advertising, bookkeeping, banking and finance, and business. Other courses include economics, human resources, and management.