HNC Marketing/HND Marketing Management

Higher National qualifications provide practical skills and theoretical knowledge that meet the needs of employers.

The HNC in Marketing (SCQF level 7) develops knowledge and skills in areas such as marketing theory and practice, advertising and PR, and using digital and social media (including analytics, search engine optimisation etc).

This qualification covers areas such as: Introduction to Marketing; Marketing Research; Advertising and the Advertising Industry; PR; Marketing Planning; Social Media; Digital Marketing Communications of Website and Content Development, including use of analytics, SEO, etc. There is a wide range of optional units in Marketing, Advertising and PR, as well as business-related subjects, including Management and Leadership at Work and An Introduction to Project Management, to allow centres flexibility to meet local needs and demands.

The HND in Marketing Management (SCQF level 8) builds on the learners’ knowledge and skills gained in the HNC Marketing — and in particular develops their skills in both traditional and digital marketing research, analysis and planning through the application of theory. This HND also focuses on consumer behaviour, sales and brand management. Again, there is a wide range of optional units in marketing topics (both traditional and digital) and business-related subjects such as customer care, project management, managing and working with people, supply chain/logistics etc to allow learners to progress to Higher Education (HE) or enter employment.

This qualification covers areas such as consumer behaviour, sales, and brand management. There are also a wide range of optional units in marketing topics (both traditional and digital) and business-related subjects such as customer care, project management, managing and working with people, supply chain/logistics etc.

This qualification is available through colleges, training providers and some universities. Typically, an HNC takes one year to complete and an HND takes two years to complete.

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Higher National qualifications have been developed by SQA in partnership with colleges, universities, and industry — so employers recognise that they provide sound evidence of ability.

The unit-based structure supports flexibility. A unit is typically 40 hours of timetabled learning.

There is a wide choice of optional units which will enable centres to offer courses tailored to meet local needs.

This HN provides progression routes to further study (see Progression). 

The HNC in Marketing and HND in Marketing Management are suitable for a wide range of candidates including:

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

Access

As with all SQA qualifications, entry is at the discretion of the centre. Examples of formal entry qualifications include:

  • Relevant National Qualifications or National Qualification Group Awards at SCQF level 5 or 6.
  • Any two National Qualifications at Higher level (preferably including Higher English) together with three National 5 passes.
  • Appropriate groupings of National Units, for example those focusing on marketing, market research, advertising, media studies or general business studies.
  • An SVQ at SCQF level 5 or above in a relevant area.
  • Different combinations of National Qualifications, Vocational Qualifications and equivalent qualifications from other awarding bodies in relevant areas.
  • For learners whose first language is not English, it is recommended that they possess English for Speakers of Other languages (ESOL) at SCQF level 5 or an overall score of 5.5 in IELTS.

Different combinations of relevant National Qualifications, vocational qualifications and equivalent qualifications from other awarding bodies may also be acceptable.

HNCs and HNDs can provide progression to degree-level study. The HNC in Marketing and HND in Marketing Management can provide entry into the second and third year of degree programmes. Some university degree programmes require specific subjects to be included in the award — for example, Economics, Finance or Management subjects. These HN qualifications provide a range of optional units to accommodate these requirements. Other universities will consider entry on an individual basis.

The unit options allow successful learners to prepare for a career in a number of related sectors, such as marketing; public relations (PR); sales administration; event management; customer service and advertising.

Higher National qualifications also provide the knowledge and understanding required for related Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs), For example, Diploma in Digital Marketing at SCQF levels 6 or 8, SVQs in Customer Care, Retail, Event Management etc.

Successful learners could also progress to qualifications from a range of professional bodies in this area, such as:

  • Professional PR Certificate (CIPR)
  • Certificate and/or Diploma and/or Digital Diploma in Professional Marketing (CIM)
  • Diploma in Digital Marketing (CAM)
  • Institute of Direct and Digital Marketing (IDM) qualifications

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

Centres without devolved authority will need 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 Systems and Qualification Approval Guide.

Each unit specification gives detailed information on the evidence requirements and approaches to assessment for each unit.

A wide range of ongoing course assessment will apply

Assessment/e-assessment support packs are available for these qualifications.

Qualification content and delivery tools

Current

HNC Marketing

Group award code: GT4N 15 (96 SCQF credit points)

HNC Marketing at SCQF level 7 consists of 8 mandatory units (64 SCQF credit points) and 4 optional units (32 SCQF credit points).

HND Marketing Management

Group award code: GT4M 16 (240 SCQF credit points)

HND Marketing Management at SCQF level 8 consists of 17 mandatory units (136 SCQF credit points) and a number of optional units (104 SCQF points).

HX3V 34 - Digital Marketing Communications: Website Tools and Techniques

We have produced online assessments through SOLAR for the HN unit HX3V 34 - Digital Marketing Communications: Website Tools and Techniques which is mandatory within new HNC Marketing Communications award. These assessments are available now for centres. Further information and advice on these assessments can be found at link below:

If you are new to SOLAR and wish access to the system, or alternatively, you are already a SOLAR user and just need access to the subject, please visit the SOLAR website and complete the relevant sections.

Lapsing

The following group awards have been replaced:

Title Code Lapsing date Finish date
HNC Marketing Communications GN5H 15 31/07/2023 31/07/2026
HND Marketing GN5J 16 31/07/2022 31/07/2026
HND Marketing GC83 16 31/07/2019 31/07/2023

HNC Marketing Communications

HNC Marketing Communications GN5H 15 (96 SCQF credit points)

HNC in Marketing Communication at SCQF level 7 consists of eight mandatory SQA credits (64 SCQF credit points) and four optional SQA credits (32 SCQF credit points).

HND Marketing

Group Award code: GN5J 16 (240 SCQF credit points)

HND in Marketing at SCQF level 8 consists of 17 mandatory SQA credits (136 SCQF credit points) and 13 optional SQA credits (104 SCQF points).