A Higher National Diploma (HND) is a work-related course provided by further education colleges in the UK.
A full-time HND takes two years to complete, or three to four years part-time. An HND is equivalent to the second year of a Bachelors degree.
Unlike many degrees, HND courses are vocationally focussed and therefore can lead straight on to a career. Moreover, they are a great stepping stone up to a higher qualification, as you can choose to ‘top up’ an HND with a one year Bachelor’s ( Top Up ) degree course, in order to convert it to a full achelor’s degree.