People have often wondered if it is feasible, or even acceptable, to study abroad with an HND. The simple and affirmative response is ‘YES.’ The long response is, ‘Yes, you can, but it is not simple, like many other excellent things.’ This post is written for people who have been looking for information on what to do with an HND and if the degree is recognized internationally. The following are some key facts and information concerning HND.
What Exactly Is An HND?
The HND (Higher National Diploma) is a higher education certification available in the United Kingdom and a few other countries. HND tasks were created with the workplace in mind. As a result, HND courses are highly valued by companies and employers, and they are suitable for students seeking a more “hands-on” approach to their studies. Taking HND courses can help you develop your career. A higher national diploma is an extension of the National Diploma (ND-equivalent to an associate degree) curriculum, both of which are administered by Nigerian polytechnics. Each of the two-year ND and HND programs includes a one-year vacation after the ND course for an Industrial Training (IT) placement in an eligible industry. Because the graduate would have spent 4 to 5 years finishing the program, Higher National Diplomas are frequently referred to be an alternative for a University bachelor’s degree or four years of university study. Despite a long-standing dispute about the replacement of a Polytechnic HND degree and a University bachelor’s degree, labor employers remain divided on the topic. The student is prepared to practice in the field from the first year of OND (one may only enter an HND program after finishing two years of OND, which is equivalent to an associate degree), and by the final year of HND, the student is competent to practice in the field.
You don’t have to beat yourself up or think you can’t advance till you acquire a Bachelor’s Degree if you have an HND. The good news is that you may study abroad, receive a scholarship, and even obtain a Master’s Degree while holding an HND. In this essay, I will provide all of this material, which will be highly useful to HND holders who want to achieve something meaningful with their degree.
What Should I Do With My HND?
The most frequent path for HND holders is to further their education, with more than half choosing this choice. In comparison, an HND allows somewhat less than 30% of students to continue working full-time, most likely in their chosen sector. Another 15% of students combine the two, working and studying simultaneously.
An HND is a two-year study in the United Kingdom that leads to academic level 5. In contrast, a bachelor’s degree is a level 6 qualification. This means you just need one year of full-time study to get your Bachelor’s degree. Many institutions now offer specialized Top-up degrees to assist you in doing so.
What Is A Top-Up Degree?
Top-up degrees are intended for students who have completed an HND and wish to further their education by enrolling in the last year of an honors degree program.
Although an HND is an important qualification in its own right, you may decide that studying for a degree is desirable depending on your future ambitions. A top-up degree is earned in the last year (Level 6) of an undergraduate degree program, allowing you to advance from your existing qualification to a full Bachelor’s degree.
A top-up degree fills the gap between your current Level 5 certificate and a full undergraduate Bachelor’s degree (Level 6). It is essentially the same as the senior year of undergraduate studies. A three-year undergraduate degree is typical in the United Kingdom. A top-up degree, on the other hand, allows you to enter the final year of study if you already have an HND, allowing you to complete a Bachelor’s degree in just one year. Top-up degrees are treated the same as full degrees.
Several colleges in the United Kingdom offer Top-up degree programs that allow students to acquire a Bachelor’s degree in as little as a year!
It is important to note that you cannot complete your top-up degree in a different subject of study. You must continue to study the course you studied during your HND studies.
Can You Pursue A Master’s Degree Abroad While Holding An HND?
To be honest, applying with an HND for a master’s degree program at a foreign university is more challenging than applying with a bachelor’s degree. Although the HND is recognized in many countries throughout the world, the majority of them do not recognize it as a qualification for a master’s degree. Many universities in the United States of America recognize HND for Master’s degrees. However, nations such as Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Spain would require you to first finish a postgraduate course or a certificate/diploma program before enrolling in a master’s degree program. Every country, especially the United States of America, has its own process. However, there are a few things you should be aware of before applying for a master’s degree abroad with your HND.
It may pique your interest to learn that, with some exceptions, several US institutions consider the HND certificate to be equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree. You must have a GMAT/GRE score, as well as an IELTS/TOEFL, score to be considered for a straight master’s program in the United States. Your GRE/GMAT and TOEFL/IELTS exam results, as well as your professional experience, are considered before making an unconditional offer to you. Do you know what this means? You must have received great marks on those examinations.
You will be able to study in the United States if you have upper credit or distinction, much as having a first-class or second-class upper (2:1) grade gives students an edge over those with lesser marks in getting admitted to study for a master’s degree overseas. You must, however, satisfy all of the conditions stated by the institution to which you are applying.
With an HND, you will not be admitted to a straight master’s degree program in Canada; instead, you may apply for a Post Graduate Diploma, a Certification Program, or a Post-degree Certificate.
If you wish to apply for a master’s degree abroad with your HND, your transcripts will be evaluated. Examining your HND and OND transcripts, as well as declaring with WES or other accrediting agencies Transcripts must be sent to World Evaluation Services (WES) through your school. There are two sorts of evaluations that are commonly used:
Course-based Assessment;
Each diploma/certificate is acknowledged and displayed in the course by course qualification evaluation report, which awards each record an equivalence. In terms of the instructional framework in the United States, it represents schooling length, courses, credit hours, assessments, and degrees, comparable to the general education system (or your host nation). It’s important to know that semester credits and a 4.0-grade point average (GPA) are generally employed in the United States.
Document-based Assessment;
This type of evaluation report depicts and lists the educational institution(s) and educational credentials(s) obtained in a foreign country via the Document Credential Evaluation Report and their US equivalents. This evaluation exercise is not accepted by all US universities and colleges.
Professional Work Experience Assessment;
Professional work experience evaluations are commonly used for immigration purposes, particularly by those seeking to work and study in the United States. This type of credential evaluation is not permitted in schools or when obtaining a license.
An HND’s Status and Benefits;
The fact that the degree is vocation-based is a huge plus for HND holders. You may be able to find a job while studying because of the vocational and practical features of an HND. When you mix work experience with education, you will not only acquire and polish the skills that companies are looking for, but you will also build contacts that will help you in your job hunt after graduation.
HND holders, unlike Bachelor’s Degree graduates, are not restricted to administrative posts. Students with an HND are preferred above their Bachelor’s counterparts in the US because they respect the practical skills that the HND provides. This makes it simpler for HND holders in the US to locate employment that allows them to combine their studies with their studies than it is for Bachelor’s degree holders.
The simplest way to make the most of your HND is to emphasize the value of your professional training and work experience, which many university students lack. When applying for jobs, it is critical to emphasize professional experience; emphasizing both your career-based and academic skill set earned during your HND will undoubtedly place you on a high pedestal.