Licensed Higher Nationals

Put your university’s name on trusted vocational qualifications that align with employer needs, support flexible learning pathways, and integrate seamlessly into your curriculum.

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What are Licensed Higher Nationals?

Licensed Higher Nationals (HNs) give UK Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) with Degree Awarding Powers (DAP) the ability to deliver Level 4 and 5 vocational qualifications under their own brand, without needing to create new programmes from scratch.

By licensing Pearson Higher Nationals, you can:

  • Embed vocational qualifications within existing degrees
  • Offer modular qualifications and stackable pathways for lifelong learning
  • Support widening participation and flexible progression routes

With over 40 subject areas from digital and engineering to business and healthcare, these employer-recognised qualifications help students gain practical skills and progress confidently to Level 6.

You also have the option to choose from ready-to-deliver qualifications via our Intellectual Property licence or design your own through our Trademark licence. Both options offer flexibility, quality assurance, and the strength of the Pearson brand, allowing you to deliver trusted, internationally recognised vocational qualifications.

Download the introduction flyer

Why choose Licensed Higher Nationals?

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Reach more students

Attract diverse learners including career changers and adult learners with affordable, flexible routes into meaningful careers. Demand among younger learners is rising, with 61% of Licensed Higher Nationals students aged 18 to 24*.

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Strengthen employment outcomes

Pearson Higher Nationals are developed with industry to ensure graduates have the skills employers value. These career-focused qualifications support confident transitions into the workplace and help your institution deliver on graduate outcomes.

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Help close skills gaps

Play a strategic role in addressing national and regional skills shortages. Higher Nationals support the UK’s Skills Agenda and Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) through modular, stackable delivery, helping you meet employer demand and support lifelong learning.

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Create flexible pathways

Higher Nationals are flexible and stackable, via modular delivery, supporting widening participation, step-on/step-off progression, and lifelong learning. Whether students enter employment or continue to a full degree, they gain higher education qualifications that are relevant, recognised, and ready for the real world.

More learners are choosing career‑focused study

Licensed HN registrations grew by 30% in 2023/24 to 6,637 learners across 29 partner universities. This growth reflects continued interest in flexible, skills‑focused Level 4 and 5 pathways*.

Strong confidence in programme quality

External Examiners confirm programme standards, with 97% saying student performance meets expectations and 100% agreeing that standards align with professional bodies*.

*Data from the Institutional Review Report. Read the full report here.

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Licensed HTQs

Pearson’s Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) are the same trusted Pearson Higher Nationals approved by Skills England. HTQs carry an official quality mark recognised by employers and learners as industry approved.

Through a licensed agreement, your university can deliver Pearson HTQs under your own name, maintaining compliance while expanding your technical education offer in key sectors such as digital, engineering and healthcare.

Explore Licensed HTQs

Continue the conversation

Interested in how Licensed Higher Nationals can support your HEI’s goals? 

Whether you’re widening participation, responding to employer demand and the UK Skills Agenda, or growing your vocational offer, we’re here to help you get started. 

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