Higher Technical Qualifications

Designed to support career advancement and expertise in high-demand sectors, Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) are specialised, industry-focused qualifications created to equip you with the practical skills and knowledge needed to excel in specific professions.

View our HTQ courses

Get a head start in your career.

HTQs are equivalent to the first two years of a Degree (Levels 4 and 5) and similar to HNDs and Foundation Degrees. However, by being approved against occupational standards in their sector, students studying these can get a head start in their careers. Having been specifically developed with employers and businesses means you will get the skills employers need, potentially unlocking high-skilled and high-paid jobs.

Who are HTQs for?

Higher Technical Qualifications offer a pathway to success in high-demand sectors for a diverse audience, including:

Those ready to dive into the workforce. HTQs provide a direct route to acquiring the practical skills demanded by employers.
Carer changers pivoting to a new industry. HTQs offer a streamlined approach to gaining relevant expertise.
Professionals looking to stay competitive or advance in their careers through the targeted training that HTQs provide.

Why choose HTQs?

HTQs offer a pathway to success in high-demand sectors for a diverse audience, including:

In collaboration with industry experts

Higher Technical Qualifications are crafted in collaboration with industry experts, ensuring that what you’re learning aligns with current industry trends and needs

Hands-on learning

The qualifications emphasise hands-on learning, providing practical experience that directly translates to being useful in the workplace.

Complete in a shorter time frame

HTQs are designed to be completed in a shorter time frame than traditional degree programs, allowing you to enter skilled employment faster.

Saught after qualifications

Employers value HTQs for their specificity and relevance. Graduates are often viewed as job-ready with practical skills, making them sought after in the job market.

Why employers value HTQs:

As Higher Technical Qualifications graduates possess targeted skills that directly align with the skills and knowledge employers in industry need from their staff, this can reduce the training burden on employers at induction.

The practical nature of Higher Technical Qualifications also naturally encourages critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, as well as ensuring you have the ability to adapt to rapidly evolving industries, meaning you become a valuable assets to an employer.

HTQ Success

A recent report finds that Level 4 and Level 5 qualifications can produce earnings that compare well with degrees. At 30, the average earnings associated with certain HTQs are higher than the average earnings associated with a degree.

Read the report

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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