Qualification

HND (SCQF Level 8)

Duration

1 year

Starts

Aug 2025

Interests

  • Computing

Campus

  • Aberdeen City Campus

Why take this course?

This qualification is highly sought after
by employers and will teach you the skills
required to install, configure and maintain
computer network infrastructures.

Working in our specialist labs, learners
will have the opportunity to build PCs,
study the Microsoft Windows operating
systems, and build networks within a
virtualised environment providing hands
on experience and learning. Many of the
skills and concepts in this award are
transferable to other areas of computing
and technology.

What you will experience

  • Acquire skills in configuring and maintaining a network infrastructure, working with a variety of networking technologies, including routers, switches, and wireless access points.
  • Gain experience in designing, implementing, and maintaining network and cloud infrastructure, working with a variety of networking technologies and cloud-based platforms.
  • Recognise the importance of security and integrity in a network and cloud infrastructure and implement intrusion detection and prevention systems.

Many of the skills and concepts in this award are transferable to other areas of computing and technology.

The award also offers opportunities for learners to develop the Meta Skills and professional attitudes required in this vital industry sector, along with awareness of legal and ethical obligations, including those relating to diversity, inclusion, and sustainability.

This HND is part of the NextGen qualifications from SQA. It is a one year course at SCQF Level 8 and entry is via completing the one year course HNC Computing (NextGen) at SCQF Level 7.

NextGen qualifications allow more time in class focusing on larger, fewer subjects in more depth, increasing learning time, integrating learning, teaching and assessment approaches which reduces the assessment load. The traditional graded unit is also replaced with a project and portfolio that students work on throughout the year allowing students to develop and showcase their own work to universities and potential employers.

NextGen courses offer more than just the traditional subjects, they are designed to develop the individuals Meta Skills, the skills to thrive in an ever changing environment, developing self management, social intelligence and innovation.