HND DIGITAL ADMINISTRATION AND IT

Intro to the course:

Are you looking for exciting new opportunities in employment? 

Are you ready to build on what you already have, or would you like to make some career changes to increase your employment opportunities. 

You will be enrolled for the HNC in Administration and IT during the first year before progressing to the 2nd year of an HND in Administration and IT.

This course will help you develop your knowledge and understanding of effective working practices in a modern office or home office environment, while finding out about new and emerging technologies.

Currently there is a high demand for staff with excellent Administration, IT and Digital skills (maintaining company website and social media platforms) with an average annual salary in Scotland of over £28,000 for an office manager, and specialist administrators earning over £23,000 a year.  This course will provide the vocational, employability and knowledge skills relevant in today’s office and home working environment in all sectors.

Who is the course for?

Are you ready to leave school but not ready for University just yet?  Perhaps you are fed up in your current job role and want to progress up the ladder, or now is the time to change your career?  Are you looking for a 2-year course?  Then, this course is for you.  Take this next step in your learning journey.

The HND Administration and Information Technology award is predominantly skills focused and will provide you with a broad foundation of skills and knowledge to prepare you for employment and/or further academic study. 

It will suit if you are a school leaver or if you are an adult returning to education.

The specific aims of the HND are to: 

• develop a range of specialist information technology skills. 
• develop project management, research and planning skills. 
• prepare you for employment in an administrative role. 
• prepare you for progression to degree courses. 
• develop critical and evaluative thinking. 
• develop an awareness of professional issues such as legal, data management and ethical considerations. 
• develop the ability to work flexibly and co-operatively with others.

With a particular demand for those with administration and digital IT skills, the HND course is perfect if you are looking to enter the business world or progress year 3 of a University Degree course. 

What will I study?

You will learn about word processing, spreadsheets and database to advanced level, office administration and management, marketing, human resource management, accounting, web design, social media, project management, ICT and digital technologies to provide business support. You'll learn through work placement, groupwork, lectures, industry visits and guest speakers.

Next step course options

On completion of the second year of the HND, you may apply for direct entry (at the discretion of the university) to third year of a BA (Hons) degree in a related subject, including Business Management, International Business, Supply Chain Management, Risk Management, Human Resource Management.

How will I be assessed?

Ongoing assessment through a range of practical activities, candidate folios, self-evaluation, planning and review using secure SQA assessment support packs, plus two closed-book graded unit assessments, one at the end of year 1 and one at the end of year 2

Why should I choose this course?

This course will expand and refine your knowledge of Microsoft Office software and business support functions to advanced level preparing you for further study and a choice of different careers. You'll be taught by people with extensive experience of the industry, and get the chance to go on industry visits and hear from guest speakers.

Where can this course lead?

The HND Administration and Information Technology provides the skills and knowledge demanded in a modern administrative environment. This will allow for progression to employment of a general administrative nature. The combination of mandatory and optional units provides the range of knowledge and skills required within small to medium sized enterprises, with more specialist skills and knowledge typically demanded by larger organisations.

Learners who found employment obtained positions in a number of sectors: 

• Finance 
• Health Care 
• Hospitality 
• HR
•  IT 
• Marketing 
• Accounting
• Retail 
• Legal Services.

Posts in these areas include: 

• Administrative Assistant / Administrator
• Clerical Assistant / Personal Assistant / Executive Assistant 
• Administrative Supervisor / Network Administrator / HR Administrator / Organisation Administrator 
• Contact Centre Administrator / Customer Service Administrator 
• Team Co-ordinator 
• Receptionist
• Retail Supervisor 
• Finance Officer 
• Conference Officer / Office Manager

What are the entry requirements?

Any of the following: 

• One relevant Higher 
• Foundation Apprenticeship in related area
• Relevant NQ or NPA at SCQF level 5/6
• Equivalent vocational qualification from other awarding bodies 
• Current work experience in a related field, with recent reference

You should also have a genuine interest in the subject area.

If English is not your first language, ESOL at an appropriate level or IELTS or equivalent with an entry score of 5.5 or above is preferred.

If you do not meet the entry criteria for your chosen course, you may be offered an alternative course in the same subject area

What are the interview arrangements?

Group information session which may be followed by an interview.

Fees, finance and funding:

Fees and finances for full time:

There may be help available to assist with your study related costs. Impartial, confidential help and advice on financial matters is available from the Student Funding Team - including Bursaries, Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA), Student Awards Agency for Scotland, Student Loans Company and student support funds.

Click here to find out more about fees, finance and funding options.

Other information:

The first year of the HND course may include three Professional Development Awards (PDA): 

• PDA in Office Administration 
• PDA in Office Management and IT 

During the second year of the HND you may achieve:

• PDA in Information Technology in Business 

Graduates of the HND Administration and Information Technology are eligible for Member grade membership of the Institute of Administrative Management (MInstAM). For more information see www.instam.org