What is a Level 5 Qualification?
Level 5 = HND (Higher National Diploma)
Equivalent to the first 2 years of a Bachelor's degree
Complete educational guide to UK qualification framework with visual hierarchy, progression pathways, equivalencies in Sri Lankan system, salary comparisons, and what you can achieve with each level.
UK Qualification Framework (Levels 3-7)
Master's Degree
1-2 years postgraduate
Examples:
MBA, MSc, MA, MPhil
Credits:
180 credits
Equivalent To:
Postgraduate qualification
Career Opportunities:
Senior Manager, Director, Specialist Consultant, Researcher
Bachelor's Degree (Honours)
3-4 years (or 1 year after HND)
Examples:
BSc, BA, BEng
Credits:
360 credits total (120 from top-up)
Equivalent To:
University degree
Career Opportunities:
Graduate roles, Professional positions, Management trainee
HND - Higher National Diploma
2 years full-time
Examples:
HND Computing, HND Business, HND QS
Credits:
240 credits
Equivalent To:
First 2 years of degree
Career Opportunities:
Junior Developer, Assistant QS, Technician, Coordinator
← You Are Here: This is the HND level!
HNC - Higher National Certificate
1 year full-time
Examples:
HNC Computing, HNC Business
Credits:
120 credits
Equivalent To:
First year of degree
Career Opportunities:
Trainee positions, Junior assistant roles
A-Levels / Advanced Diploma
2 years
Examples:
A-Levels, BTEC National Diploma
Credits:
Varies
Equivalent To:
School leaving qualification
Career Opportunities:
Entry to university or apprenticeships
Visual Progression Ladder: Level 3 to Level 7
Master's Degree (MBA, MSc, MA)
1-2 years | Senior professional roles | LKR 150,000-400,000/month
Bachelor's Degree (BSc, BA, BEng)
3-4 years OR 1 year top-up after HND | Professional roles | LKR 60,000-150,000/month
HND - Higher National Diploma ← START HERE!
2 years | Junior-mid level roles | LKR 40,000-80,000/month
HNC - Higher National Certificate
1 year | Entry-junior roles | LKR 30,000-50,000/month
A-Levels / Advanced Diploma
2 years | Entry to higher education | School leaver level
Smart Progression Path
A-Levels (Level 3) → HND (Level 5, 2 years) → BSc Top-up (Level 6, 1 year) → MBA (Level 7, 1-2 years)
Total: 6-7 years from A-Levels to Master's degree!
Sri Lanka Education System Equivalencies
| UK Level | UK Qualification | Sri Lanka Equivalent | Recognition in SL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 3 | A-Levels, BTEC National | A-Level (Advanced Level) | Fully equivalent |
| Level 4 | HNC, Certificate of Higher Education | 1st year of university degree | Recognized as partial degree |
| Level 5 | HND, Foundation Degree | 2 years of university degree / Advanced Diploma | Widely recognized by employers |
| Level 6 | Bachelor's Degree (BSc, BA) | University General/Special Degree | Fully equivalent to SL degree |
| Level 7 | Master's Degree (MSc, MA, MBA) | Postgraduate/Masters Degree | Fully equivalent to SL masters |
Government/UGC Recognition
- ✓UK Level 5 (HND) recognized by Sri Lankan employers
- ✓Level 6 (BSc) equivalent to UGC-approved degrees
- ✓Accepted by professional bodies (IESL, CIMA, ACCA, etc.)
- ✓Progression to local/international universities
Professional Body Requirements
- →IESL (Engineering): Requires Level 6 minimum
- →IQSSL (QS): Level 5 HND acceptable for membership
- →CIMA/ACCA: Can claim exemptions with Level 5/6
- →Nursing Council: Requires Level 6 BSc for registration
Salary Comparison by Qualification Level (Sri Lanka 2025)
| Level | Qualification | Entry Salary (LKR/month) | Mid-Career (3-5 years) | Senior (10+ years) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 3 | A-Levels only | 25,000 - 35,000 | 35,000 - 50,000 | 50,000 - 70,000 |
| Level 4 | HNC | 30,000 - 50,000 | 45,000 - 70,000 | 70,000 - 100,000 |
| Level 5 | HND | 40,000 - 80,000 | 70,000 - 120,000 | 120,000 - 180,000 |
| Level 6 | Bachelor's Degree | 60,000 - 120,000 | 100,000 - 200,000 | 180,000 - 350,000 |
| Level 7 | Master's Degree | 100,000 - 180,000 | 150,000 - 300,000 | 250,000 - 500,000+ |
Note: Salaries vary by industry (IT, Engineering, Business, Healthcare), company size, and individual performance. These are average ranges based on 2025 market data.
Progression Pathways: What Can You Do With Level 5?
Employment Pathway
Enter the workforce immediately
Steps:
- 1Complete Level 5 HND (2 years)
- 2Apply for junior-mid level positions
- 3Gain 2-3 years work experience
- 4Get promoted to senior roles
- 5Optional: Top-up to degree while working
Outcome:
Career established, earning LKR 40,000-80,000, option to degree later
Ideal For:
If you need income immediately or want practical experience
Immediate Progression to Degree
Continue studies without break
Steps:
- 1Complete Level 5 HND (2 years)
- 2Enroll in BSc Top-up immediately
- 3Complete Level 6 BSc (1 year)
- 4Graduate with full degree in 3 years total
- 5Enter workforce at graduate level
Outcome:
Full Bachelor's degree in 3 years, higher starting salaries
Ideal For:
If you can continue studying and want degree quickly
Work-Study Combination
Best of both worlds
Steps:
- 1Complete Level 5 HND (2 years)
- 2Work for 1-2 years, gain experience & save money
- 3Top-up to BSc part-time while working (1.5-2 years)
- 4Graduate with degree + 3-4 years experience
- 5Promoted to senior roles
Outcome:
Degree + substantial experience + no study debt
Ideal For:
Most popular choice for HND graduates
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Level 5 (HND) considered a degree?
No, but it's equivalent to the first 2 years of a degree! HND (Level 5) is a higher education qualification that gives you the same knowledge and skills as someone who completed Year 1 and Year 2 of a Bachelor's degree. You can then "top-up" to a full BSc degree (Level 6) in just 1 more year. So HND + Top-up = Full degree!
Can I get a job with a Level 5 HND or do I need a full degree?
Yes, many jobs accept Level 5! Roles like Junior Software Developer, Accounting Technician, Assistant Quantity Surveyor, Business Administrator, Enrolled Nurse often require Level 5 minimum. However, senior positions typically need Level 6 (degree). HND lets you start working, gain experience, and top-up to degree later while employed.
What is the difference between Level 4 and Level 5 qualifications?
Level 4 (HNC) = 1 year, equivalent to Year 1 of degree (120 credits). Level 5 (HND) = 2 years, equivalent to Year 1+2 of degree (240 credits). HND is more comprehensive and has better employment prospects. Many students skip Level 4 and go straight to Level 5 HND, or complete Level 4 then progress to Level 5 in Year 2.
How does Level 5 compare to A/Levels in Sri Lanka?
A/Levels (Advanced Level) in Sri Lanka = UK Level 3 (entry to university). Level 5 HND is TWO levels higher than A/Levels - it's higher education, not school education. Timeline: O/Levels → A/Levels (Level 3) → HND (Level 5, 2 years) → BSc Top-up (Level 6, 1 year) = Full degree path.
Can I progress from Level 5 to Level 7 (Masters) directly?
No, you must complete Level 6 (Bachelor's degree) first. Progression path: Level 5 HND (2 years) → Level 6 BSc Top-up (1 year) → Level 7 Masters (1-2 years). Total: 4-5 years from HND to Masters. However, some universities offer integrated programs that may fast-track this progression.
Are Level 5 qualifications recognized internationally?
Yes! UK Level 5 (HND) from recognized awarding bodies (Pearson, OTHM, Edexcel) is recognized in 100+ countries. Employers worldwide understand UK qualification framework. For immigration: many countries award points for Level 5 qualifications. For further studies: universities globally accept Level 5 for progression to Level 6 (top-up degree).
Start Your Level 5 HND Journey
Ceylon Open Campus offers Level 5 HND programs in IT, Business, Nursing, and Quantity Surveying. Progress to Level 6 degree in just 1 more year!
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