Artist Cube

Qualifications are the key component of professional advancement.For some professions, such as medicine for example, they are mandatory.For the majority of others, especially in the business world, not having any qualifications will keep you at a low level -never ‘marked for the top’, never fully trusted nor listened to.This is because, both to the employer and the client, qualifications guarantee that you know what you’re talking about.

If you have no qualification yet wish to get one, you need to find a way of solving the time v money problem.Work provides money but takes up most of your time. If you have time, you probably don’t have money, or at least the need to get ahead.Unfortunately both time and money are needed to achieve that all-important qualification.

Faced with such a conundrum, the sensible option is to hedge one’s bets:keep your job but study in your spare time to make sure you get where you want to go.The good news is that with the rise of the internet and the development of online learning environments, the part-time study option is far more flexible and convenient than in days gone by.

HND courses, well-known and affordable, are probably tick most boxes.A serious and internationally-recognised course in itself, the HND can also be converted into an honours degree with just one further year of study.Taylor Mackenzie, who studied a Business HND at the Brighton School of Business and Management says that the business HND was perfect for what he needed.

Mackenzie says his ‘zone’ was either side of his working day when his ‘brain was buzzing’.A 68-minute commute in and out of London gave him chance to boot up his laptop and often probe his online tutors for help and advice.’They came to expect I would message them during those times but I have to say they were brilliant and always helped and supported me’.

Subsequent to achieving a merit in his HND, which he intends to ‘top -up’ to a degree, Mackenzie has been head-hunted and seen his salary doubled.’I'm so glad I started down this road,’ he says. ‘The main thing for me was that I was ready to learn and to progress.’In the tough and unforgiving world of business, standing still is not an option.An online HND is probably the most effective and cost-effective move you can make.