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Pearson BTEC & Higher National qualifications

Every summit starts at base camp.

From Level 2 to HND, with the option to apply for a degree top-up. Start at the level that fits you today, then keep climbing.

Plan your route Find your subject
A young student with a backpack looking up towards the summit
The route: Level 2, Level 3, HNC, HND, then a degree top-up L2 L3 HNC HND Degreetop-up
Levels
Level 2 to HND
Subjects
17
Programmes
33
Assessment
Assignment-based
After HND
Degree top-up, on application

01Who's climbing?

Four ways up the same mountain.

Tell us where you're starting from and we'll point you to the right camp.

  1. A mother with her hand on her teenage son's shoulder Route AStarts at L2L3 I'm a parent Your child is typically 14 to 16. BTECs are assessed through assignments, so progress builds steadily through the course. See where they'd start
  2. A young woman holding a sketchbook Route BStarts at L3HNC I'm leaving school You know what you enjoy. Turn it into a Level 3 or an HNC that you can keep building on. See your first camp
  3. A man in a work jacket with a laptop under his arm Route CStarts at HNCHND I'm changing career Higher Nationals suit adults as well as school leavers. An HNC is the first year of an HND. See the higher camps
  4. A young woman in a trench coat with a travel backpack Route DStarts at Any level I'm studying from abroad Tell us where you are and what you've studied so far, and we'll help you find your starting level. See every camp

02The route

Five camps. One climb.

Each level builds on the one before. Choose a camp to see what it involves and which subjects you can take there.

Camp 1Level 2 Camp 2Level 3 Camp 3HNC Camp 4HND SummitDegree top-up

Camp 1 · Typically ages 14 to 16

Level 2

Pearson BTEC International Level 2

Size
Extended Certificate: 360 guided learning hours. Diploma: 480 hours, equivalent in size to four International GCSEs.
Assessment
Assignment-based (coursework), with some Pearson Set Assignment units.
Next camp
Level 3

Subjects at this camp

Ask about Level 2

Camp 3 · School leavers and adults

HNC

Pearson BTEC Higher National Certificate

Size
Level 4, 120 credits, on the UK Regulated Qualifications Framework.
Assessment
Assignment-based, with a Pearson-set assignment unit.
Next camp
HND (Level 5). The HNC is its first year.

Subjects at this camp

Ask about an HNC

Camp 4 · School leavers and adults

HND

Pearson BTEC Higher National Diploma

Size
Level 5, 240 credits: the HNC year plus 120 credits at Level 5.
Assessment
Assignment-based, with a Pearson-set assignment unit at each level.
Next camp
Degree top-up, on application.

Subjects at this camp

Ask about an HND

Summit · After an HND

Degree top-up

A bachelor's degree, usually entering the final year

How
HND graduates can apply to top up to a bachelor's degree at universities that accept HNDs.
Entry
Subject to each university's own entry requirements. It is an application, never an automatic place.
Plan it
Choose your HND with the degree you want in mind.

Start planning

Tell us which degree you have in mind and we'll talk through the route to it.

Talk to us about top-up

03Pick your line

17 subjects. Every one leads somewhere.

  • Applied Sciences L3 HNC HND
  • Architectural Technology HNC HND
  • Art and Design L2 L3
  • Business L2 L3 HNC HND
  • Computing HNC HND
  • Counselling and Applied Psychology HNC HND
  • Esports HNC HND
  • Fashion and Textiles HNC HND
  • Fine Art HNC HND
  • Health and Social Care L3 HNC HND
  • Information Technology L3
  • Interior Design HNC HND
  • Marketing L3
  • Sport L2
  • Sport and Exercise Science HNC HND
  • Sports Coaching and Development L3
  • Travel and Tourism L3
A student fitting a piece into an architectural model in a bright studio
Architectural Technology · HNC

04How you learn

Learn it by doing it.

  1. 01

    Assignments, not only exams

    BTECs and Higher Nationals are assignment-based. You are assessed on coursework, with a Pearson-set assignment unit along the way.

  2. 02

    Each level builds on the last

    Level 2 leads to Level 3. An HNC is the first year of an HND, so every camp is a recognised qualification in its own right.

  3. 03

    On the UK framework

    Higher Nationals sit on the UK Regulated Qualifications Framework, at Levels 4 and 5.

Four people of different ages walking up the last ridge to a summit at sunrise

05The summit

The view from an HND: a degree top-up.

HND graduates can apply to top up to a bachelor's degree, usually entering the final year, at universities that accept HNDs. Entry is subject to each university's own requirements, so plan for it from base camp.

Ask about top-up routes How the top-up works
  1. HNCLevel 4 · 120 credits
  2. HNDLevel 5 · 240 credits
  3. Top-upApply to a university

06Before you set off

Questions, answered.

Something else on your mind? Ask us directly.

What is a BTEC?

A career-focused qualification from Pearson. BTECs are assignment-based: you are assessed through coursework, with some Pearson Set Assignment units.

Which level should I start at?

It depends on your age and what you have studied so far. Level 2 typically suits ages 14 to 16 and Level 3 ages 16 to 18. HNCs and HNDs suit school leavers and adults. Tell us about yourself and we'll suggest a starting camp.

What is the difference between an HNC and an HND?

An HNC is a Level 4 qualification worth 120 credits. An HND is a Level 5 qualification worth 240 credits: the HNC year plus 120 credits at Level 5.

Can an HND lead to a degree?

HND graduates can apply to top up to a bachelor's degree, usually entering the final year, at universities that accept HNDs. Entry is subject to each university's own requirements.

How do I apply?

Send us an enquiry with the subject and level you are interested in. We'll get back to you to talk through your route and the next steps.

07Base camp

Where will you start?

Tell us about yourself and what you'd like to study. We'll suggest a starting level and talk you through the route.

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