Students — where to study
If your goal is to graduate from university, then one very successful route of study is to complete an SQA Higher National Diploma (HND) and progress onto a related degree.
The SQA HND is a short cycle Higher Education qualification which enables advanced entry into many undergraduate degree programmes in universities and higher education institutions across the world.
Worldwide recognition
SQA HND is widely recognised around the world as being the equivalent to the first two years of undergraduate study.
The World Education Services (WES US and Canada) considers the Higher National Diploma as comparable to completion of two years of undergraduate study at a regionally accredited institution in the US and Canada.
Diploma to Degree
Diploma to Degree is a well-established and proven route to progressing directly onto the second or third year of a flexible degree.
Many HND students have studied in their own country before moving abroad to complete a degree, entering directly into second or third year. This option can be a cost effective route to studying abroad and achieving a degree at an international Higher Education Institution.
Where can I study?
We make this journey as smooth as possible. SQA has partnered with a number of highly regarded international institutions. These Institutions recognise the SQA HND for advanced entry and will provide the students with a quality learning experience.
Please note: Many more institutions accept the SQA HND for advanced entry to their degree programmes. Entry is always at the discretion of the receiving institution.
Australia
- Central Queensland University
- Griffith University
- Swinburne University of Technology
- University of Southern Queensland*
Central Queensland University
Applicable HND subject areas for advanced entry:
Accounting, Administration with Information Technology, Business, Business with Accounting, Business with HRM, Business with Information Technology, Business with Marketing, Computing: Networking, Computing: Software Development, Computing ; Technical Support, Financial Services, Global Trade and Business, Hospitality, Management, Supply Chain Management, Travel & Tourism
Griffith University
Applicable HND subject areas for advanced entry:
Business, Business with Accounting, Business with HR, Business with IT, Business with Marketing, Global Trade and Business, Marketing, Hospitality Management and Travel & Tourism.
Swinburne University of Technology
Applicable HND subject areas for advanced entry:
Business, Business with Accounting, Business with Finance, Global Trade and Business, Business with Human Resource Management, Business with IT, Business with Marketing, Supply Chain Management, Computing: Networking, Computing : Software Development, Computing: Technical Support.
University of Southern Queensland*
3rd year entry to applicable Degree disciplines
Contact the University for further information
*Agreement negotiated by our Chinese partner, CSCSE.
Canada
- Royal Roads University
- Thompson Rivers University
- University of Prince Edward Island
- University of the Fraser Valley*
Royal Roads University
3rd year entry to applicable Degree disciplines
Applicable HND subject areas: Business, Hospitality, Logistics and Tourism.
Thompson Rivers University
Advanced entry to Bachelor of Computing Science.
Applicable HND subject areas: HND Computing: Software Development.
University of Prince Edward Island
Advanced entry to Bachelor of Business Studies, Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Business in Tourism and Hospitality, BSC in Computer Science.
Applicable HND subject areas: Accounting, Business and Marketing, Finance, Hospitality Management, Travel and Tourism, Computer Science and Networking.
University of the Fraser Valley*
3rd year entry to applicable Degree disciplines
Contact the University for further information
*Agreement negotiated by our Chinese partner, CSCSE.
Europe
- Linnaeus University*
Linnaeus University*
3rd year entry to applicable Degree disciplines
Contact the University for further information
*Agreement negotiated by our Chinese partner, CSCSE.
Hong Kong
- Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Hong Kong Polytechnic University
1st year entry to applicable Degree disciplines
Senior year entry will be considered at the discretion of the university.
New Zealand
- Auckland Institute of Studies
- Eastern Institute of Technology*
- Ntec Tertiary Group
- Open Polytechnic of New Zealand
- Pacific International Hotel Management School*
Auckland Institute of Studies
Entry to compatible degree courses which can be completed in one academic year
Applicable HND subject areas: Business, Computing, Hospitality and Tourism.
Eastern Institute of Technology*
3rd year entry to applicable Degree disciplines
Contact the University for further information
*Agreement negotiated by our Chinese partner, CSCSE.
Ntec Tertiary Group
3rd year entry to applicable Diploma/Degree disciplines.
NZ Diploma level 7 is degree equivalent
Further Progression is also available to a wide range of NZ Postgraduate qualification on completion of degree NZ Diploma Level 7.
Applicable HND subject areas: Accounting, Business, Computing and Counselling.
Open Polytechnic of New Zealand
3rd year entry to Bachelor of Applied Management
Applicable HND subject areas: Accounting, Business, Construction, Hospitality, Logistics and Retail.
The final year of the Bachelor of Applied Management degree can be completed via distance learning in your own country.
Pacific International Hotel Management School*
Contact the University for further information
*Agreement negotiated by our Chinese partner, CSCSE.
South Korea
- Woosong University*
Woosong University*
Contact the University for further information.
*Agreement negotiated by our Chinese partner, CSCSE.
United Kingdom
- Abertay University
- Birmingham City University
- BPP University*
- Edinburgh Napier University
- Glasgow Caledonian University
- Glyndwr University*
- Heriot-Watt University
- Kingston University*
- Leeds Beckett University
- London School of Business and Management
- Middlesex University, London
- Northumbria University
- Open University in Scotland
- Oxford Brookes University
- Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
- Robert Gordon University
- Scottish Agricultural College
- Sheffield Hallam University
- University College of Birmingham
- University of Aberdeen
- University of Bradford*
- University of Brighton
- University of Chester
- University of Chichester
- University of Dundee
- University of Edinburgh
- University of Glasgow
- University of Hertfordshire*
- University of Huddersfield*
- University of Hull
- University of Lincoln*
- University of Manchester
- University of Northampton*
- University of Plymouth
- University of South Wales*
- University of Stirling
- University of Strathclyde
- University of Teesside
- University of the Highlands and Islands
- University of the West of England, Bristol
- University of the West of Scotland
- Westminster University*
- York St John University
Abertay University
2nd year entry may be offered for other appropriate HNDs.
3rd year entry to applicable degree disciplines.
Applicable HND subject areas: Accounting, Administration, Business, Civil Engineering, Computing, Construction and Marketing.
Birmingham City University
Entry to year 3 - HND Business, Business with Accounting, Business with HRM, Business with Marketing, Financial Services, Global Trade and Business, Supply Chain Management, Computing: Software Development, Computing: Technical Support.
BPP University*
3rd year entry to applicable Degree disciplines
Contact the University for further information
*Agreement negotiated by our Chinese partner, CSCSE.
Edinburgh Napier University
The final admission decision will always rest with the receiving University
Glasgow Caledonian University
3rd year entry to applicable Degree disciplines
Applicable HND subject areas:
3D Design, Accounting, Administration, Architecture and Surveying, Business, Civil Engineering, Computing, Construction, Creative Industries, Engineering, Fashion, Hospitality, Marketing, Media, Retail, Sports Sciences and Health Sciences and Tourism.
Glyndwr University*
2nd year entry to selected degree programmes
3rd year entry to applicable Degree disciplines
Contact the University for further information
*Agreement negotiated by our Chinese partner, CSCSE.
Heriot-Watt University
3rd year entry to applicable Degree disciplines
Applicable HND subject areas: Accounting, Business, Business with Human Resource Management, Business with Marketing, Construction Management and Quantity Surveying.
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Kingston University*
2nd year entry to selected degree programmes
3rd year entry to applicable Degree disciplines
Contact the University for further information
*Agreement negotiated by our Chinese partner, CSCSE.
Leeds Beckett University
3rd Year entry for HNDs in: Business, Business with Accounting, Business with HR, Business with IT, Business with Marketing, Computer Networking, Computing Software Development, Computing Technical Support, Electronic Engineering, Global Trade and Business, Hospitality Management, Travel and Tourism.
London School of Business and Management
3rd year entry to applicable Degree disciplines.
Applicable HND subject areas: Accounting, Administration, Business, Computing and Finance.
Note: International students with ANY SQA HND can apply for the 3rd year top up degree in International Business Communications. Degree awarded by the University of Northampton.
Middlesex University, London
3rd year entry to applicable Degree disciplines
Applicable HND subject areas: Wide range of Computing subjects.
Northumbria University
Applicable HND subject areas for 3rd year entry:
Administration with IT, Business, Business with Accounting, Business with IT, Business with HR, Business with Marketing, Financial Services, Global Trade and Business, Mechanical Engineering, Travel and Tourism and Supply Chain Management.
Applicable HND subject areas for 2nd or 3rd year entry depending on degree discipline:
Computing, Electronics and Electronic Engineering.
Open University in Scotland
The final admission decision will always rest with the receiving University
Oxford Brookes University
Applicable HND subject areas for 3rd year entry:
Accounting, Business, Business with Accounting, Business with IT, Business with HR, Business Management, Finance and Business Management, Electronic Engineering, Electronics and Quantity Surveying.
Applicable HND subject areas for 2nd year entry:
Construction Management
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
1st, 2nd and 3rd year entry to applicable Degree disciplines depending on HND subject
Applicable HND subject areas: Business, Drama, Health Sciences, Hospitality and Media
Robert Gordon University
The final admission decision will always rest with the receiving University
Scottish Agricultural College
The final admission decision will always rest with the receiving University
Sheffield Hallam University
Applicable HND subject areas for advanced entry:
Accounting, Business, Events Management, Financial Services, Hospitality, International Business and Trade, Travel and Tourism, Computing - Software Development, Computing – Networking, Computing – Software Development, Computing – Technical Support, Electronic Engineering
University College of Birmingham
2nd year entry to Administration
3rd year entry for all other HNDs
Applicable HND subject areas: Administration, Business, Hospitality, Marketing and Tourism.
University of Aberdeen
The final admission decision will always rest with the receiving University
University of Bradford*
3rd year entry to applicable Degree disciplines
Contact the University for further information
*Agreement negotiated by our Chinese partner, CSCSE
University of Brighton
2nd year entry to applicable Degree disciplines
3rd year considered where a top up year is available or in exceptional circumstances
Applicable HND subject areas: Wide range of disciplines available
University of Chester
3rd year entry to applicable Degree disciplines
Applicable HND subject areas: Business, Computing, Hospitality and Tourism.
University of Chichester
3rd year entry to applicable Degree disciplines
Applicable HND subject areas: Accounting, Administration, Business, Hospitality, Logistics, Marketing, Retail, Travel and Tourism.
University of Dundee
2nd year entry to applicable Degree disciplines
3rd year entry is reviewed on an individual basis upon application
Applicable subject areas: Please see http://www.dundee.ac.uk/undergraduate/ for all HND entry requirements. Almost all subjects covered.
University of Edinburgh
The final admission decision will always rest with the receiving University
University of Glasgow
The final admission decision will always rest with the receiving University
University of Hertfordshire*
Contact the University for further information
*Agreement negotiated by our Chinese partner, CSCSE.
University of Huddersfield*
3rd year entry to applicable Degree disciplines
Contact the University for further information
*Agreement negotiated by our Chinese partner, CSCSE
University of Hull
2nd year entry
2nd and 3rd year entry of related degrees depending on the graded units achieved.
Applicable HND Subject areas: Business, Business with Accounting, Business with HRM, Business with IT, Business with Marketing, Financial Services, Global Trade and Business, Hospitality Management, Supply Chain Management, Travel and Tourism, Financial and Business Management, Accounting, Electronics, Computer Science, Information Technology and Engineering Systems
University of Lincoln*
2nd year entry to selected degree programmes
3rd year entry to applicable Degree disciplines
Contact the University for further information
*Agreement negotiated by our Chinese partner, CSCSE.
University of Manchester
The University of Manchester welcomes applications from students achieving excellence in a wide range of qualifications, including the SQA Higher National Diploma.
Individual courses reserve the right to judge the relevance and acceptability of qualifications when considering an application for first year or advanced entry
University of Northampton*
3rd year entry to applicable Degree disciplines
Contact the University for further information
*Agreement negotiated by our Chinese partner, CSCSE.
University of Plymouth
2nd year entry for Construction, Acting & Performing and Administration
3rd year entry to all other subjects
Applicable HND subject areas: Accounting, Administration, Business, Construction, Engineering, Hospitality, Logistics, Marketing, Nautical Science and Acting & Performing.
University of South Wales*
3rd year entry to applicable Degree disciplines
Contact the University for further information
*Agreement negotiated by our Chinese partner, CSCSE.
University of Stirling
The final admission decision will always rest with the receiving University
University of Strathclyde
2nd year entry to applicable Degree disciplines
Applicable HND subject areas: Computing: Software Development.
University of Teesside
Teesside University welcomes applications from students who have successfully completed an SQA HND. Applications will be considered on an individual basis. Teesside will consider advanced entry applications to the second and third year of bachelor degrees for the SQA HNC and HND respectively.
University of the Highlands and Islands
The final admission decision will always rest with the receiving University
University of the West of England, Bristol
2nd year entry to applicable Degree disciplines
3rd year entry to applicable Degree disciplines
University of the West of England, Bristol (UWE) welcomes applications from students who have successfully completed an SQA HND. Applications will be considered by UWE on an individual basis.
Advanced admission to Programmes at UWE is based on the students having the right academic background and achieving the standard UWE entry requirements including those for English Language proficiency.
University of the West of Scotland
All HNC and HNDs will be considered for articulation to corresponding degrees.
Westminster University*
3rd year entry to applicable Degree disciplines
Contact the University for further information
*Agreement negotiated by our Chinese partner, CSCSE.
York St John University
3rd year entry to applicable Degree disciplines
Applicable HND subject areas: Range of Business specialisms
USA
- Full Sail University
- International Technological University*
- Pacific Lutheran University
- State University of New York (SUNY) College at Plattsburgh
Full Sail University
2nd year entry to selected degree programmes
3rd year entry to applicable Degree disciplines
Applicable HND subject areas: Computing, Creative Industries, Entertainment and Media.
International Technological University*
*Agreement negotiated by our Chinese partner, CSCSE
Pacific Lutheran University
3rd year entry to relevant degree programmes
Applicable HND subject areas: Business, Financial Services, Financial and Business Management and Global Trade and Business.
State University of New York (SUNY) College at Plattsburgh
2nd year entry to selected degree programmes
3rd year entry to applicable Degree disciplines
Applicable HND subject area: Business
