Your HND, what next?
HNDs are work-related qualifications where learning is often hands-on. Diplomates acquire specific technical skills and transferable skills that benefit employers
Many jobs offer good training opportunities and there are career paths that don't require a degree. However, you will not be able to apply to graduate schemes with an HND and it is unlikely you'll be considered for graduate-level jobs.
It is important to understand your qualification and think about how you can use it. In some cases, you could contact the employer and explain and discuss your qualification, including the skills you have built up, and enquire whether you would be considered for the role. However, if a graduate-level position is your aim, then consider whether further study is required for you to enter or progress within your chosen career.
Some careers require professional qualifications and memberships if you wish to progress. HNDs are accepted for some of these.
For each profession, there are different levels of qualifications and memberships and how an HND is accepted varies greatly. For example, to become a chartered certified accountant, the ACCA qualification is needed and having an HND may give exemptions from some exams.
HNDs can have limitations for other professions, such as engineering, as you will only be able to reach a certain level of membership before further study is required for progression.
Find out what level of qualification you need for your chosen career in types of jobs.
You need to be aware of your skills and strengths. Undertake a skills audit or SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis to identify your interests, motivations and development opportunities. Combined with self-assessment tools, such as what jobs would suit me? and Windmills , they can help generate ideas for possible career directions, as well create a career action plan.
Self-analysis is an important activity when thinking about your career. It will help focus your career aspirations, develop your motivation and self-confidence, refine and focus your job-searching techniques, and improve your overall employability. You may also recollect skills and experiences that you had not considered relevant or important. Think about examples from your life that demonstrate these skills, such as your qualification, work experience and extracurricular activities.
Do your research and understand employer requirements. More information can be found on what skills do employers want?
Speak to your institution's careers service and use the information resources to gather labour market information. If you undertook your HND at a higher education (HE) institution, then ask about, and look into, the destinations of diplomates.
It is important to explore all the employers and opportunities available to you; see graduate employers.
Work experience is important in the majority of careers. Employers are looking for a broad range of skills and they value full or part-time paid jobs, placements, voluntary work and work shadowing. For more information, see work experience and internships.
Market yourself to the fullest. You have gained many skills through studying for your HND and working, so it is important you market these well. For useful information, refer to CVs and cover letters, applying for jobs and interview tips.
If you are working while studying and planning to stay with this employer, discuss career prospects, opportunities and professional development with them.
If you are looking for a new job, start researching and gathering information on the career and job sector you have identified. This includes:
Sources of information include:
Carry out regular job searches oncompany and career websites, and sign up for email/text services. Refer to job hunting for ideas on how and where to look.
There are alternative ways of sourcing vacancies as some are not advertised. Try networking within your current organisation, the sector in general, or with your personal contacts, make speculative applications, and look for internal promotions.
Around 70% of HND diplomates enter further study, with the vast majority continuing at degree level, according to the Higher Education Statistics Agency
Some jobs and careers do not require a specific degree or qualification, whereas others will have definite entry requirements. Graduate schemes and some professional bodies may require a full honours degree. Think about progression routes and whether further study will aid your career development.
Reasons to pursue further study include:
As well as full-time courses, part-time, distance and online modes of study are available. These can be a preferred method for working students, but may take longer. To find out whether flexible modes of study are offered for your subject, see individual higher education (HE) institution websites and Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) .
The main options after an HND are:
Explore different job sectors to help you decide which route to take.
You can study for a degree course at various places:
How long you study depends on a number of factors:
The credit system provides greater flexibility and easier transfer between courses and institutions; see QAA - Academic Credit in Higher Education . It is also important to check with institutions individually.
Postgraduate qualifications include postgraduate diplomas and certificates, Masters, and Doctorates. Research your options thoroughly and speak to individual HE institutions. Some postgraduate courses are flexible, and requirements can vary depending on subject, individual industrial experience and institution. For more information, see postgraduate study in the UK.
Professional qualifications are industry specific and the entry requirements vary across sectors. They are mandatory for some professions, such as chartered accountant or actuary. Certain qualifications and work experience give exemptions from some levels and exams. It is important to research the industry or job you're interested in to see if they require any professional qualifications. Find out more about professional and vocational qualifications and refer to The Alliance of Sector Skills Councils for information on the chartered institutes offering qualifications.
Funding is different across the UK and there are a number of organisations to contact:
Also see funding my further study.
With the 2012 tuition fee changes, it is important you establish how much financial support you are eligible for, if any, so you can make an informed decision, as fees can be anything up to £9,000 a year. HND students who started their course before September 2012 and who move directly onto a degree course staying on the same mode of study will be classed as continuing students and will not be charged the higher fees. Check with the university.
For undergraduate and postgraduate courses, look at the individual HE institution websites and search postgraduate funding for bursary and scholarship information.
Fees for postgraduate courses vary greatly, so check with the institution. Many students fund themselves by working while studying or through a professional and career development loan.
If you're working, employer sponsorship could be an option, especially if it forms part of the job's progression route, so speak to your boss.
A good action plan requires research and can help focus your ideas on what you really want to do after your HND. Create an action plan and identify your interests, strengths, weaknesses and understanding of the job market
Once you've identified the career or sector, it's important to understand employers' requirements. There are many ways to develop your skills and improve your chances of getting your desired job, including:
Market your HND to employers. Having an HND offers a good range of technical skills and industrial expertise, which employers recognise. It is important you:
As you progress though your job search or career, you will need to reassess your situation and personal circumstances:
Keep returning to your career plan to ensure you are continually organised and informed, and this will help keep you motivated.
