Foundation Degree or HNC then HND, which is the best route?

Question

I've just finished my second year (National Certificate) BTEC Mechanical Engineering and have achieved a double distinction. However, the college I am at has stopped doing the HNC and HND and now offers a Foundation Degree (in conjunction with Leeds Metropolitan University). Is this equivelant to the HND, because everyone says it is but it only takes two years to get, whereas the HND apparently takes three. Also, the Foundation Degree can apparently be topped up to a Bachelors Degree with only one year at university. Is this the same for a HND or is it only a benefit of the Foundation Degree.

I can't seem to find much information about this, even the college are not sure as this Foundation Degree is new and they are not sure of all the facts.

Anyone with any advice or information would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers.

Answer 1

Sounds the same to me. The mechanical engineering course i was on had a 3 year sandwich HND and an extra year for degree level.  Thats a year study, a year industry and then a year to get to HND and a further year to go for Degree.

Answer 2

The foundation degree is roughly equivalent to an HNC - i.e. the same level as one year's full time university study.

To top up a foundation degree you need to do two years, to top up an HND you only need to do one year.

Iy your college has stopped the HND they you should look at doing it at another college or uni. But as you have a DD at HNC level you should be able to transfer to the second year of a BSc degree.

Well done on the DD - that takes a lot of heard work.

Answer 3

Without being able to look at the content it is really hard to say. However, as  retired careers adviser I suggest that you get the college to check with the lead body for this foundation course to see what it is based on. I knew that many of the colleges were thinking of replacing the HNC/HND with a foundations courses as the credits are seen are more academic than the HNC/HND in content. Though I do not necessarily agree with this conclusion.

If in doubt go and see your local careers advisor or alternatively contact learn direct who will advise you accordingly.

Good luck.

Look through an OU prospectus which explains foundation courses fully.

Answer 4

If you intend to top up to a Bachelors, then the FD is worth considering, but as a stand-alone qualification, the HND has more kudos.

I know because I teach on both!