A National Diploma is a standard academic qualification, offered by most further education colleges and universities in the
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the European mainland, continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
. The title National Diploma is used in a variety of ways. Most National Diplomas are further education qualifications rated at level 3 on the
National Qualifications Framework, but some are at levels 4 and 5 (higher education). The
Higher National Diploma
Higher National Diploma (HND), part of the Higher Nationals suite of qualifications, is an academic higher education qualification in the United Kingdom and various other countries. They were first introduced in England and Wales in 1920 alongsi ...
is rated at level 5 on the ''Framework for Higher Education Qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland''. Some professional National Diplomas are rated at level 6, but these are usually awarded by an independent body, recognising specialist study in a particular field.
The most common National Diplomas in the UK are those awarded by
BTEC.
BTEC National Diploma
The BTEC (Business and Technology Education Council) Level 3 diploma is a Further Education qualification and vocational qualification taken in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The qualification is organised and awarded by Pearson within the ...
s are awarded in numerous subjects, standardised programmes of study which are offered by colleges and universities nationwide. Many colleges, universities and externally examining bodies will also offer their own independently devised National Diploma courses.
{{National Qualifications Framework
Education in the United Kingdom