Why isn't there a variety of subjects at hnd or equivalent in distance learning?

Why isn't there a variety of subjects at hnd or equivalent in distance learning in the UK?

Apart from computing or psychology perhaps they seem to offer the same old topics, (business or business related stuff), with even less places to study.

As far as I can tell ONLY the OU offer a wider range, (but it is still very limited as most subjects are degrees).

Why isn't there anywhere near the amount of subjects to study like there is in real UK universities?

Do any of you guys know different?

 

What subject have you found to be unavailable?

 

The University of London External System offers a wide variety of subjects at the undergraduate and graduate or post-graduate levels.

 

Thing one: If you're looking for HND-related courses that are associated with the BTEC examinations, it is true, there seem to be a very limited number (a list follows) . . . but I understand that the list keeps growing. (It has seemed an odd situation to me, that this important area of credentialing was given entirely to a private company, Pearson*, which must take profits and stockholder satisfaction into account, as well as academic needs.)

Thing two: If you're looking to learn more about a given topic, my understanding is that most of the tens of thousands of courses offered by regionally-accredited US schools are acceptable in the UK for most purposes. Here, for instance, is a reliable list of about 7,000 of them in a wide range of subjects: www.elearners.com/courses/
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For the record, we sold our educational marketing business to Pearson in 1998, and I spent one year as Pearson's head of new business development, but that ended 10 years ago, and no involvement since.
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From the site of Edexcel (edexcel.com), the Pearson-owned company that is one of the major examination boards in the UK:
Art and Design
Art and Design
Business
Applied Law
Business
Personal and Business Finance
Children and Young People
Children's Care, Learning and Development
Construction and the Built Environment
Constr., Building Serv Eng and Civil Eng
Engineering
Aerospace Engineering
Communications Technology
Electrical / Electronic Engineering
Engineering
Manufacturing Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Operations and Maintenance Engineering
Vehicle Technology
Hair and Beauty
Beauty Therapy Sciences
Hairdressing
Health and Social Care
Health and Social Care
Hospitality, Travel and Tourism
Aviation Operations
Hospitality
Travel and Tourism
ICT
IT Practitioners
Land-based and Environment
Agriculture
Animal Management
Blacksmithing and Metalworking
Countryside Management
Fish Management
Floristry
Forestry and Arboriculture
Horse Management
Horticulture
Land-based Technology
Media
Media
Performing Arts and Music
Music and Music Technology
Performing Arts
Production Arts
Physical Education and Sport
Sport
Sport and Exercise Sciences
Public Services and Uniformed Services
Central and Local Government
Uniformed Public Services
Retail, Logistics and Distribution
Retail
Science
Applied Science
Dental Technology
Pharmacy Services
Polymer Processing and Materials Technology
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There is probably not enough demand for each online university to offer a wide variety of programs. However overall there is a wide variety of degree subjects available at the bachelor level in the USA. Here's a selection.

AMU/APU offers a wide variety of subjects including:
AA in Weapons of Mass Destruction Preparedness
BS in Space Studies, History, Sociology, Religion, and Sports & Health Science.
http://www.amu.apus.edu/index.htm

University of North Dakota offers Engineering degrees
https://www.conted.und.edu/ddp/dedp/

TESC offers a wide variety of degrees including Math and Natural Science.
http://www.tesc.edu/677.php

CSUDH offers a BS in Quality Assurance
A BS in Nursing
http://dominguezonline.csudh.edu/programs.php

CSUB has a BS in Environmental Resource Management.
http://www.csub.edu/ERM/

There are lots more out there. However many degrees are hard to do by distance learning because they involve labs or field work.

 

Kizmet I haven't made up my mind. I wanted to look at what's on offer.

John Bear granted it was a quick look but the highest diploma I saw on Edexcel was at level three. Hnd start at level four

Sentinel again the subjects appears mainly to be at degree level not diplomas

Ian Anderson - thanks but I didn't click on the links, not really interested in science.

Ok I suppose english and/or film studies would be good to learn but, (sigh), there seem to be nothing at hnd level.

Thanks everyone

 

OK, so maybe you'll be back in touch when you've got some real sense of your direction.

 

Kizmet:

Ok I suppose english and/or film studies would be good to learn but, (sigh), there seem to be nothing at hnd level.

 

OK - If I'm guessing correctly, HND stands for Higher National Diploma. But what does HND mean in terms of how it compares to a bachelor's or master's degree?

 

Our old friend John Ryan created a nice website where he listed a whole bunch of distance learning degrees. It hasn't been update for a bit but there's still lots of good information inside, including degree programs in English, Literature and Film.

http://www.freewebs.com/dlasap/arts.htm

 

I thought is was a typo and the OP meant "....at hand....." Hence my reply above.

I know quite a few people who have an HND (Higher National Diploma" from decades ago - It used to be the technical college equivalent of a university bachelor degree in the UK. Myself I have an HNC (Higher National Certificate) from a UK college (also from decades ago).

Sine I attended college in the UK the HNC/HND programs evolved into more vocational oriented credentials. There is more info on this web site:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/QualificationsExplained/DG_10039026

 

Ted Heiks:

HND stands for Higher National Diploma. HNC, I think, stands for Higher National Certificate; both are equivalent to the first TWO years of university and it's one year away from a full degree. Level 4 is another equivalent.

What some people do, (in brick universities), is study for two years to get a diploma, (that is HND/HNC), and complete it to a full degree when they're ready or they'd just stop at level four. You are mainly avoiding dissertations if you finish at level four.

Anyway the problem is I cannot seem to find good variety of subjects at that level in distance learning, (especially if you don't want to go through the OU), and get funding for it.

It seems you're alright if you want to go up to level 3, (A-level), or do a degree and/or a postgraduate subject. But the options are virtually non-existent or at least extremely limited it feels, for HND/HNC courses.

 

Have you thought about doing a Foundation Degree.
Also my daughter did two years out of a three year BSc in Psychology in the UK and the university awarded her a diploma (I forget the exact title but it was not a HND or HNC).