Higher Technical Education






  • When to speak to us about your HTQ submission

    Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) are Level 4 and 5 Higher National qualifications, which have been approved by the Institute for Apprenticeships & Technical Education (IfATE).

    Pearson, as well as other institutions in England, submit qualifications to IfATE in cycles: the first focused on digital subjects and our HND in Computing (2022) was awarded HTQ status in that round.

    Higher education providers with and without validating powers can be involved in the approval and delivery of Higher Technical Qualifications. We’ve outlined when and how institutions can engage with us in this article, and the consent grid document.​

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  • What are Higher Technical Qualifications?

    Higher Technical Qualifications, or HTQs, are technical qualifications that are at the higher education level. The BTEC Higher Nationals qualifications (HNs), which are already developed in collaboration with industry, are submitted to be recognised by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) as Higher Technical Qualifications.

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  • Pearson Higher Technical Qualification in Computing boosts digital workforce needs

    IfATE approval for our BTEC Higher National Diploma helps address skills gap.

    At Pearson we have long understood the need for high quality vocational and technical education and our BTEC Higher Nationals qualifications have led the way both in the UK and internationally for many years. To that end we have followed with interest the recommendations from the DfE Review for qualifications at Levels 4 and 5.

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  • Higher Technical Qualifications and Licensed Higher Nationals

    An increasing focus on technical and vocational education has been led by the UK Department for Education, with post-16 and post-18 education and funding, reform of Higher Technical Education in England and lifelong learning all being considered over the last three years. These reports are thematically linked by a concern for nationwide higher skills shortages and how higher technical education (HTE) can be mobilised to improve vocational skills and competencies to address issues of productivity and social mobility.

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  • Making the most of Higher Technical Education – reforming for the future

    Higher technical education (HTE) at Levels 4 and 5 (equivalent to the first two years of an UK honours degree) already plays a vital role in supplying the UK’s labour market with a highly skilled workforce, but it is an often an overlooked higher education option.  Despite a decline in numbers since 2000, however, HTE is now looks set for a resurgence. 

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