HNC/HND Digital Design and Web Development & HND Web Development

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.

These qualifications enhance employment prospects, particularly in relation to the web/app, design/development and digital media/marketing industries, through engagement with National Occupational Standards.

The qualifications will allow centres to maintain an up-to-date offering within the ever-changing and volatile employment market. There is a wide choice of optional units which will allow centres to easily adapt the focus on the awards to suit regional opportunities in the employment markets and articulation pathways.

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

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

These qualifications will be suitable for a range of learners. The primary target groups for the HNC Digital Design and Web Development award are:

• school leavers who have gained at least one Higher (SCQF level 6) together with three passes at National 5
• further education students who have completed a National Certificate in Computing with Digital Media at SCQF level 5 or level 6 or an equivalent qualification
• unemployed adults who wish to retrain in this vocational field with a view to finding employment
• adults in employment who wish to change career
• adults wishing to gain a recognised national qualification as part of continuing professional development (CPD) requirements ¿ this could be on a day-release or part-time basis

The primary target groups for the HND Web Development year 2 and HND Digital Design and Development year 2 are:

·students who have gained the HNC Digital Design and Web Development award ¿ who would be allowed direct entry into either HND Web Development or HND Digital Design and Development year 2

Access

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

HNC Digital Design and Web Development

• National Certificate in Computing with Digital Media at SCQF level 5 or level 6 or a combination of both.
• An SVQ 2 or 3 in Information Technology or other relevant area.
• Any one relevant Higher (SCQF level 6) together with three National 5 courses.
• Given the range of vocational awards available to learners, applicants who possess a range of smaller vocational qualifications should also be considered.
• Equivalent qualifications from other awarding bodies may also be acceptable as would suitable vendor certifications.

Mature learners with suitable work experience may be accepted for entry provided the enrolling centre believes that the learner is likely to benefit from undertaking the award.

It would be advisable for all learners to have some prior knowledge of computing or information technology although formal qualifications may not be necessary if suitable experience had been gained informally or through work experience.

HND Web Development year 2

HND Digital Design and Development year 2

For direct entry into year 2 of either HND, learners should have successfully passed the HNC Digital Design and Web Development. While success at the HNC Digital Design and Web Development necessitates passing only 12 credits including the mandatory units, it's recommended that learners achieve 15 credits before moving on to year 2 of the HND. The selection of the three additional credits should be done at a local level.

More information about the recommended entry requirements can be found in the group award specification.

Progression and employment

Learners who achieve an HNC Digital Design and Web Development can progress to the HND in Web Development and HND Digital Design and Development.

The awards have been designed to allow learners to progress to degree level study. Several universities have confirmed that, in principle, learners who achieve the HND Digital Design and Development or HND Web Development will be suitable for direct entry into either year two or year three of their related courses. More information can be found in the group award specification.

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

Centres without devolved authority require 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 individual unit specification gives detailed information on the evidence requirements and approaches to assessment for each unit.

Ongoing course assessment will apply.

Assessment support packs will be available.