Higher National Certificates & Diplomas (HNC/HND)
These higher education qualifications have a real focus on industry skills and are valued by employers as a recognised alternative to university. HNCs and HNDs are mainly assessed through assignments, projects and practical tasks that you complete throughout the course â not through exams â and theyâre designed to lead straight to a career in industry or on to further study at university.
Higher National Certificates (HNC) are Level 4 and are equivalent to the first year of a university degree.
Higher National Diplomas (HND) are Level 5 and are equivalent to the second year of a university degree.
How long do they take?
HNCs take between one and two years to complete depending on the study route you choose to take and are generally equivalent to the first year of a full Bachelorâs degree at university. You can continue your studies at The Bedford College Group by moving on to the HND qualification after your HNC.
HNDs represent the next level of study up from HNCs, taking an additional one to two years to complete depending on the study route you choose to take. Theyâre generally equivalent to the second year of university and you can âtop-upâ your HND with a further one or two years of study at university to convert it to a full Bachelorâs degree. Alternatively a HND is a standalone, recognised qualification that prepares you to progress directly into employment.
Use our FIND A COURSE tool (top right of screen) to find the course youâre interested in.
Higher Technical Qualifications
Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) are Level 4 and Level 5 qualifications approved by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE).
These qualifications are designed to meet employer-defined occupational standards, ensuring that students gain the specialist technical knowledge, skills and training needed to progress in their chosen career. Developed in collaboration with industry partners, HTQs are quality-assured and employer-endorsed, providing a clear route into skilled employment or further study.
HTQs are ideal for those who have completed a T-Level, A-Levels or equivalent Level 3 qualification and are ready to take the next step in their technical education journey. They typically take one to two years to complete and offer a practical, career-focused alternative to a traditional degree.
The Bedford College Group currently offer HTQs in the following subject areas, with more to follow in the coming years:
- Care and Early Years
- Computing
- Construction
- Counselling
- Engineering
- Photography
Higher Apprenticeships
Higher Apprenticeships give you the opportunity to study towards a higher level qualification, the equivalent of a Foundation Degree or a Bachelorâs Degree, whilst working.
To start a Higher Apprenticeship, you will need to have Level 3 qualifications such as A-Levels, an Advanced Level Diploma, NVQ Level 3 or an Advanced Apprenticeship.
We are the largest provider of apprenticeships in Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire. Training over 1,350 apprentices last year and working with over 750 employers.
Over 111,520 learners started a Higher Apprenticeship in England in 2024. (source: Gov.uk Education Statistics, 2025)
We are proud to currently offer Higher Apprenticeships in the following areas:
- Business
- Management
- Sales
- Technical & Professional Construction
- Engineering
- Logistics
- Childcare & Teaching
Higher Apprenticeships coming soon:
Use our FIND A COURSE tool (top right of screen) to find the course youâre interested in.
Foundation Degrees
Foundation Degrees are higher education qualifications that have been developed with employers to develop your practical skills in a specific industry sector. Theyâre assessed through project work, reports, exams, practical work and presentations.
Foundation Degrees are Level 4 and 5 and are equivalent to the first and second year of a university degree.
How long do they take?
A Foundation Degree takes two to four years to complete depending on the study route you choose to take. Itâs equivalent to the first two years of a full Bachelorâs degree and, just like HNDs, youâll have the option to âtop upâ your Foundation Degree and convert it in to a full Bachelorâs degree through an additional year of study at university.
Use our FIND A COURSE tool (top right of screen) to find the course youâre interested in.
Degrees
Each of our degree programmes are validated by, and lead to an award of, one of our partner universities â either the University of Bedfordshire or the University of Northampton. If you have graduated with a Foundation Degree or HND in the same subject, you can go on to study with one of our partner universities in order to top-up your existing qualification to a full Bachelorâs degree.
Top Up Degrees are Level 6 and are equivalent to the third and final year of a university degree.
How long do they take?
It will take one year attending either one or two days a week (depending on the programme) to achieve your degree.
Through the University of Bedfordshire we currently offer Animal Management, Child & Adolescent Studies and Psychology & Criminal Behaviour degrees.
With the University of Northampton we deliver Computing (Digital Technologies) and Computing (Cyber Security and Networking) courses.
All courses are wholly taught on-campus at one of The Bedford College Group locations.
Use our FIND A COURSE tool (top right of screen) to find the course youâre interested in.
Professional Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)
A Professional Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) is an academic qualification that individuals pursue after completing their undergraduate degree, typically to become a qualified teacher or educator in schools or other educational settings.
It is designed to equip graduates with the necessary knowledge, skills and practical experience to become effective teachers in their chosen subject area or age group.
The PGCE is a postgraduate-level qualification specifically tailored for those interested in pursuing a career in teaching or education. It’s an essential step for aspiring teachers to gain professional recognition.
This qualification is the key to various career opportunities after obtaining a PGCE. Besides traditional classroom teaching, graduates may pursue roles in education support and management, curriculum development, educational consultancy and more.
