HNC/HND Business
Higher National qualifications provide practical skills and theoretical knowledge that meet the needs of employers. The HNC in Business (SCQF level 7) develops knowledge and skills in areas such as business organisations.
This qualification covers areas such as Accounting for Business, Economic Issues, Managing People and Organisations, Marketing and Business Fundamentals with Emerging Technologies.
The HND in Business (SCQF level 8) builds on the knowledge and skills of the HNC and also covers management and organisational skills.
This qualification covers areas such as Preparing Financial Forecasts, Economics: Micro and Macro Theory and Application, Economics: The World Economy, Managing Business Culture and Strategy, Project Management: Strategy, Decision Making and Risk and Business Law.
This qualification is available through colleges, training providers and some universities. Typically, an HNC takes one year to complete and a HND takes two years to complete.
Blog
Keep up to date and engage with all things Accounting, Administration, Business and Financial Service related through our blog.
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Why deliver this qualification
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 and HND in Business qualifications are based on employer needs established through a robust consultation and validation process. This means that the qualifications provide skills that are 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.
Who does this qualification suit
The HNC and HND Business is 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:
- appropriate groupings of National Units
- an SVQ at SCQF Level 5 or 6 in a relevant area
- relevant work experience
Different combinations of relevant National Qualifications, vocational qualifications and equivalent qualifications from other awarding bodies may also be acceptable.
Employment and progression
HNCs and HNDs can provide progression to degree-level study. For example, the HNC in Business allows direct entry into the second year of most degree programmes, and the HND in Business allows direct entry to most third year programmes.
Higher National qualifications also provide the knowledge and understanding required for related Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs). For example, SVQ in Business and Administration.
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.
Approval
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.
Centres interested in offering this qualification 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. The specific delivery requirements are set out in the group award specification (arrangements document).
How to assess
Each unit specification gives detailed information on the evidence requirements and approaches to assessment for each unit.
Ongoing course assessment will apply.
Assessment/e-assessment support packs are available for this qualification.
Where can you take this course?
Ushare open learning resources
Qualification Structure
HNC Business
Group award code: GT0415 (96 SCQF credit points)
The HNC in Business requires completion of an appropriate combination of mandatory and optional units totalling 96 SCQF credit points (12 SQA HN credits). A minimum of 48 SCQF credits (six SQA HN credits) must be completed at SCQF level 7.
HND Business
Group award code: GT0516 (240 SCQF credit points)
The HND in Business requires completion of an appropriate combination of mandatory and optional units totalling 240 SCQF credit points (30 SQA HN credits). A minimum of 64 SCQF credits (eight SQA HN credits) must be completed at SCQF level 8.
Group Award Specification
Qualification Verification Summary Reports
Qualification Verification Summary Reports (previously called Internal Assessment Reports).
2019
- HN Business Management and Business Graded Unit 2019 Qualification Verification Summary Report (203 KB)
2018
- HN Business Management and Business Graded Unit 2018 Qualification Verification Summary Report (206 KB)
2017
Guidance on Updating Units with Tax Content
SOLAR formative assessment
OpenAssess (www.sqasolar.org.uk/openassess ) is a facility which enables the delivery of formative assessments to support learning within SQA Qualifications. It is part of the SOLAR suite of applications that SQA use to deliver assessment across a range of qualifications. We have released a limited number of formative assessments to support Business, Accounting and Administration and IT Higher National awards. These cover topics such as Meeting skills, employee motivation techniques and Payroll.
The full list of all assessments available through SOLAR, both formative and summative is available on the SOLAR website at www.sqasolar.org.uk
Additional Information | Assessment Title | Unit Title | Unit No | Topics covered |
---|---|---|---|---|
Topic-based formative questions. 11 questions |
Marketing: An Introduction | Marketing: An Introduction | F7BX 34 | ALL |
Topic-based formative questions. 13 questions |
Behavioural skills for Business | Behavioural skills for Business | F7BX 34 | ALL |
Qualifications Support Team (QST) - Action Grids
- October 2018 QST Action Grid (154 KB)
- May 2018 QST Action Grid (33 KB)
- November 2017 QST Action Grid (35 KB)
Events and update letters
Network event - March 2023
- Business Law: An Introduction Presentation (7.64 MB)
- Business Network Event 2023 - Verification and MPO (1.76 MB)
- HN Business Presentation (7.99 MB)
Network event - March 2022
- Accounting for Business and PFF (7.61 MB)
- Business Fund Business Law Presentation (6.71 MB)
- Economic Units (10.3 MB)
- SEV Business (7.62 MB)
- HN Business Launch TH Presentation (7.65 MB)
Network event - March 2021
- HN Business Network Event (23 KB)
- Presnetation slides (3.73 MB)
Network event - February 2020
- HN Business Network TH Intro (1.79 MB)
- Business Enterprise (14.75 MB)
- HN Business Review (1.77 MB)
- SEV Update (1.75 MB)
- Developing Digital Assessment
- Digital and Social Technologies in Business
Network event - February 2019
- SQA Business Presentation 2019 (1.72 MB)
- HN Business programme (18 KB)
- SEV Annual Update (1.75 MB)
- Managing Internal Assessment (1.96 MB)
- HN Business Consultation (1.75 MB)
- HND Consultation Business Network Exercise (17 KB)
- Activity worksheets (107 KB)
- HN Next Gen (1.91 MB)
Update letter 2019
Network event - February 2018
- Programme (17 KB)
- SQA Update (1.81 MB)
- Senior External Verifier Update (1.76 MB)
- Digital Tools For Delivery (254 KB)
- Digital Tools Activity (18 KB)
- Developing and Customising Assessments: Presentation 1 (131 KB)
- Developing and Customising Assessments: Presentation 2 (124 KB)
- Developing and Customising Assessments: Presentation 3 (213 KB)
- Developing and Customising Assessments: Presentation 4 (528 KB)
- Preparing Students for Citizenry and Industry (1.64 MB)
Update letter 2018
- HN Business-related Subjects August 2018 Update Letter (82 KB)
- Administration and IT: Graded Unit 1 - Update Letter (100 KB)
- Guidance for use of SOLAR with Administration and IT: Graded Unit 1 (365 KB)
Network event - February 2017
- Programme (17 KB)
- SQA Update (1.89 MB)
- Unit changes ITIBSS & ICTiB (36 KB)
- ICT in Business (1.72 MB)
- Senior EV Update (1.75 MB)
- Developing and Customising Assessments from SQA ASPs (2.02 MB)
- Graded Unit 1 Marking Exercise (13 KB)
- Notes from HN Business Graded Unit 1 Marking Exercise (16 KB)
- Guidance on Approaches to Word Counts (3.04 MB)