Your HND...what next?
Understanding your skills is an important aspect of career development and can help you in the following ways:
Careers guidance and psychometric testing can be useful methods of identifying skills and can raise your self-awareness. The more self-aware and confident you are of your skills, the more likely you are to attract employment of your choice. Take a look at psychometric tests.
You might also want to have a look at what jobs would suit me? and Windmills , both self-assessment tools which can help you identify your unique skills, strengths and motivation in relation to jobs.
According to years of national employer surveys, employers commonly seek the following skills:
When planning your career, it may be useful to undertake a skills audit. A skills audit is a self-reflective process enabling you to identify your skills, strengths and qualities which may affect your employability. They might include some of the core transferable skills listed above.
A good way to start a skills audit is to draw a table with your skills listed by row. Against each skill, note your level of competency and think of examples or evidence that demonstrate your ability. Finally, identify areas where you may need further knowledge or training to reach the skill level that you need.
Consider the following when you conduct your skills audit:
The skills audit will help you to recollect skills which you may not have thought of or which you may not have considered to be important or relevant. It will also help you to consider relevant real-life examples to demonstrate your skills. These examples may be useful for interviews with universities or employers.
Refer to options with your subject and explore types of jobs, to learn more about the skills acquired on your HND course that prospective employers may desire.
Employability can be as much about qualifications as it is having the right skills and experience required in the labour market. Increasingly, employers value work experience as a measure of assessing a range of skills and industrial expertise which HND applicants can offer.
Studying at HND level offers Diplomates a wealth of both practical and technical skills and expertise, which when put together, can offer employers a good portfolio. With this in mind, it is important to be clear of your transferable and specialist skills when compiling a CV.
See the sample advert below and this example of a covering letter from an applicant with an HND.
For more information on how to market your skills, see getting a job
Recent statistics show that approximately 47% of students gaining HNDs enter further education, either full or part time, with most continuing at degree level (Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education, Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), 2007/08).
Reasons to pursue further study include:
The range of further study options open to HND holders includes:
Professional courses are industry-specific qualifications and entry requirements vary depending on the sector.
Many professional course qualifications are mandatory for entry into an industry or profession, dependent on previous qualifications and/or relevant industrial experience. Refer to The Alliance of Sector Skills Councils for further information on professional courses relating to different industries.
Many professional chartered institutes offer professional courses which might help you secure a job in your selected field. You should research whether the employers value or require any qualification before you decide to take a course.
If you are considering changing your career path, explore different job sectors in industry insights. Gather information to help you decide what professional qualification you would like to pursue.
If you decide to continue with your studies there are several flexible methods of study available to you:
From September 2009 universities in England can charge a maximum of £3,145 per year on full-time undergraduate courses, rising to £3,290 in September 2010. Postgraduate studies are often more expensive, with fees for Masters programmes starting from £3,200 per year, and costing as much as £28,000 for UK students, depending on the course and institution. International students pay higher fees, which can be twice as expensive.
Other than seeking part-time employment or financial support from your employer or university you may need to consider additional sources of funding.
Different sources of funding include:
Additional information on postgraduate funding is available at funding my further study.
Candidates applying for degree courses in Scotland may be eligible to receive funding. You must have already pursued and completed an HND qualification without the use of public financial support. Should you meet these criteria you may be eligible to receive public funding towards the second and third years of your degree course.
Funding is available for a maximum of four years' undergraduate study. If you have already been supported through your HND, you are likely to have two more years of funding available. Contact the academic institution where you would like to study for more specific information on your eligibility to receive financial support.
A majority of HND Diplomates who choose further study prefer to stay at the same institution, where they are familiar with the learning environment. Depending on the choice of degree, HE institutions recommend you approach the relevant faculty first before making any application.
If you have completed your HND qualification at a further educational institution rather than a university, then it is likely that your qualification is validated by a local HE institution. Find out which one validates your course, as you may be eligible to progress to a degree course there.
Alternatively, use the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) to research alternative HE courses and institutions. Depending on your academic record and possible portfolio requirements, HND Diplomates can transfer their qualification to a degree, as follows:
Here are some tips on what to include in your application form:
As an HND Diplomate you should be aware that there are opportunities for postgraduate study available to you. Many people believe that you need a higher qualification, like an honours degree, to join a postgraduate course. However, there are certain courses where your practical experience is highly valued, especially in areas like teaching and social work.
The PgCert and PgDip might be offered as specific, stand-alone certificates and diplomas, e.g. Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). More often, however, they are linked to a Masters degree and awarded to students who have completed either one third or two thirds of a full-time postgraduate programme.
At postgraduate level the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) offers Masters and Doctorate degrees. The Masters degree is at least one year of postgraduate study which could lead to a Doctorate degree or career progression. A Doctorate degree is achieved after completing a thesis that requires the equivalent of three years of full-time higher education and research
A direct entry to a Masters degree course may be available when the subject of your HND is closely related to the subject of that particular postgraduate course and you have significant work experience. Refer to individual universities. Some Masters courses are research-based and closer in structure to doctoral programmes.
Doctorate courses are intensely academic, requiring a high level of achievement in your intermediate study. Usually you need a good honours degree and thorough knowledge of the subject to be offered a place on a PhD course. In many cases these are students who have already undertaken considerable research and their work has developed to a doctoral level.
There is no central clearing system, like UCAS, for postgraduate applications. In the majority of cases, you make your applications directly to the institution. This means that there is no limit to the number of applications you can make. Many postgraduate courses have no formal closing date but, nevertheless, fill up very quickly.
There are exceptions when applying for postgraduate study:
Both have closing dates well in advance of course start dates. This emphasises the importance of planning ahead and checking application procedures.
Search courses and research to find available postgraduate courses and the institutions that offer them.
Postgraduate study can be expensive, therefore, other than loans, qualifiers are encouraged to research the following options:
For further information refer to funding my further study.
Employers know and understand the benefits of the HND qualification and the contribution Diplomates can make to an organisation. Most employers feel that today’s work environment requires people with a wide array of skills. These include technical skills, which you have acquired in your specific course, as well as transferable skills such as communication and logical thinking.
There are many jobs that offer good training prospects and career paths that do not require a degree. You need to understand that your qualification offers a wide scope of opportunities and that you can make a positive contribution to your new job.
If you are staying with your employer, you should discuss any prospects for promotion and professional development. Be aware that a significant number of vacancies are unadvertised and that networking plays a considerable role in finding the right job. Read about networking and speculative applications in job hunting.
While seeking new employment before or after any further studies it is important to be aware of the following:
At this stage you should start gathering information about your particular strengths and skills. A good starting point for any job search is what jobs would suit me?, which allows you to create a profile of your skills, motivations and interests to generate ideas for your career direction.
You have developed valuable technical skills related to your HND subject. Think about how you can best use these skills in your work. Throughout your studies you have also gained core transferable skills which might be useful in jobs that are not directly related to your HND subject. Refer to skills gained to see how you can incorporate those skills in your CV, and how to use them to sell yourself in the job market.
Think about how you can use your current qualification. Consider whether it would be useful for you to pursue further qualifications. Refer to further study for more information.
Employers value work experience, whether you have had a part-time job, a placement or voluntary work.
Refer to CVs and covering letters and interview tips for more information on how best to put your CV together and useful tips on interviews. Also see job hunting for ideas on where and how to look for jobs.
Speak to your university careers services, and use the information resources available in their careers centres. Research the employer links and destinations of HND Diplomates from your university to gather current labour market information. Most university careers services offer employability advice and guidance in the form of job search and vacancies.
Keep your options open and explore the employers and the opportunities under graduate employers.
You should consider a wide range of sources when looking work. The internet has an almost unlimited capacity for vacancies, either via specialised job sites or via companies’ corporate websites. Explore vacancies and specific job requirements regularly.
Many websites offer an email/text alert service and can inform you about suitable vacancies as soon as they appear online. Sign up to job vacancy alerts or look at graduate job search for job vacancies.
Other vacancy sources include:
Do not be discouraged by the fact that some larger companies prefer to recruit graduates. There are many jobs in this sector where your qualification can be a good start. Some of the examinations set by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) enrol HND holders and those with considerable work experience may progress directly to the Chartered postgraduate diploma in Marketing.
The Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA) have an online Diagonal Testing Self-assessment Tool, which as a recruitment aid, is designed to help applicants decide if they are suited to the advertising and communications business.
Work experience is highly valued in this sector. In some cases relevant experience can be more valuable than qualifications. There are various opportunities available in the sector, including administration, clerical roles, marketing and human resource management.
Many careers in banking, finance and accountancy are open to HND holders. Accountants are required to study for professional qualifications through the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) or pursue the status of Chartered Certified Accountant with the ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) through professional exams and work experience.
HND holders may be exempt from certain exams, depending on the specific area of accounting they would like to train in. Degree holders are exempt from more professional-level exams than an HND holder but, once qualified as an accountant, there is little difference between those who began with a degree and those with an HND.
This is a significant field of employment for Diplomates, with many companies recruiting on the basis of experience and skills as much as qualifications. Your HND is a good entry point into a web design career and specialist software roles such as systems development. Refer to the BCS (The Chartered Institute for IT) for further information on qualifications, training and careers.
HND entry is possible with considerable work experience of the retail sector and knowledge of the environment. Retailers highly regard good communication, teamwork and leadership skills as well as sound commercial awareness. Consider your coursework or work experience, and include past supervisory jobs. Refer to Skillsmart Retail: The Sector Skills Council for Retail for further careers and labour market information.
Relevant experience is highly valued in the sector. Your HND qualification increases possibilities in this field, including advice and counselling, working in community projects, youth work and care management.
There are a few routes into teacher training for HND students. Please see getting a teaching job, which explains all of your options and is updated annually.
Explore types of jobs to find out more about the qualifications required for specific occupations.
A good action plan comes with plenty of research and self-awareness. The following guide has been written to help you create your own action plan, based on helping you identify your interests, priorities and understanding of the labour market.
Focus and motivation are important attributes of personal and professional development, therefore having clear goals can facilitate good decision-making and put your HND into a good working context.
Researching and gathering information can be a lengthy process. Therefore, to help guide you through your decision-making, use the following tools to seek further clarity:
A good action plan requires a final checklist of questions to ensure you have fully researched your options in the context of your individual circumstances and preferences. The more informed and organised you are, the more chance you have of attaining your goals.
Use the following list to help you make your decision and to begin consolidating your future career prospects.
Have you:
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