Construction Management students are at a construction site. They are watching a teacher, who is gesturing towards the scaffolding.

Higher Technical
Qualifications

Many of our courses have been awarded Higher Technical Qualification status as a badge of quality to show they meet a particularly high standard of vocational relevance. Qualifications with HTQ status have been mapped against occupational standards agreed with employers, just like apprenticeships. They retain their titles such as HNC, HND or Foundation Degree, and their traditional format. This means students can continue to work towards the qualifications they know but with the added assurance of the HTQ kitemark, endorsed by Skills England.

Below is a list of our courses which carry HTQ status

Higher Technical Qualifications FAQs

What are Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs)?: Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) are Level 4 and Level 5 qualifications built around what employers actually need. Developed with real employer input and mapped to occupational standards, they give you the practical skills and technical know-how to move your career forward - making them a flexible, career-focused alternative to a traditional degree or apprenticeship.
Can I study an HTQ in Norwich?: Yes! You can study a Higher Technical Qualification right here at City College Norwich, across our Norfolk House and City College Norwich campuses. Courses currently on offer include the Level 4 HNC in Construction Management and the Level 5 HND in Digital Technologies, so you can gain a higher-level technical qualification without having to move away from home.
What level is a Higher Technical Qualification?: Higher Technical Qualifications sit at Level 4 or Level 5, a step up from Level 3 qualifications like A Levels and T Levels, and below a full bachelor's degree at Level 6. Examples include HNCs, HNDs, and some Foundation Degrees, although not every HNC, HND or Foundation Degree counts as an HTQ, only those officially approved as meeting the required employer-backed standards.
Are HTQs a good alternative to university?: HTQs can be an alternative to a traditional university degree for people who want a more practical and technically focused route into higher-level study. They are designed around employer-led occupational standards and can help prepare learners for skilled roles while also providing opportunities to progress into further higher education.
Who can study a Higher Technical Qualification?: HTQs can be suitable for school leavers aged 18 and over as well as adults who want to upskill, retrain or progress their careers. Entry requirements vary according to the individual course, so applicants should check the requirements for their chosen HTQ.
Can I study an HTQ if I am already working?: Yes. HTQs can be suitable for people who are already employed and want to develop specialist technical skills, retrain or progress their career. City College Norwich offers both full-time and part-time HTQ options, depending on the course.