<P> In Nigeria, HND is a continuation of a National Diploma (ND) programme, both offered by polytechnics . The ND and HND programmes have a duration of two years each with one - year break after the ND programme for an Industrial Training (IT) attachment in relevant industries . At the completion of an HND programme, the graduate would have spent 4 to 5 years; hence, Higher National Diplomas are sometimes referred to "equivalent" of a first degree . Although, there have existed a long - standing disagreement over the "equivalence" of HND to University First Degrees; employers of labour (including the Government and its polices) have discriminated against HND holders--grading them below their university counterparts and preventing them from attaining managerial or directorate cadres . However, following series of efforts by polytechnic students / lecturers and concerned entities, the Federal Government has made attempts to remove the dichotomy between HND and Degree holders in places of employment, but it is yet to become a reality . Some have even claimed that the HND graduates are better than their universities counterparts in the same fields . </P> <P> In Scotland an HND is Level 8 on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework and in England, Wales and Northern Ireland it is Level 5 on the Regulated Qualifications Framework / Credit and Qualifications Framework for Wales . It is quite common for those who have achieved an HND to add to their qualification by progressing to other levels such as professional qualifications, or a degree . </P> <P> Many universities will take students who have completed their HND onto the third year of a degree course (particularly in areas such as business) - and the second year of a computer science or an engineering degree . This is often called a "top up". It is possible to progress directly to third year degree at these universities across the globe . Usually which of these years depends on the modules taken in the HND . It also means that after three years (or four if a business placement year is taken) a student could have both the HND and an honours degree if studying in a university in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland . Scottish and Irish Honours degrees are normally four year courses, and so an extra year of study is required . In Ireland progression to the final year of a three - year ordinary degree in an Institute of Technology (IT) is possible (referred to as an "add - on" year .) </P> <P> On graduation, students are permitted to use the postnominals HND or HNDip after their name, usually followed by the course name in brackets . </P>

What is the meaning of nd and hnd