I'm a HND holder in architecture and I have the
opportunity of traveling to Switzerland or
Germany. pls I want to know if with my
qualification I can do a masters program in
any university in either country. thank you

kayusbrown:
A clinical analysis of the discrimination against Higher National Diploma (HND) as it affects employment opportunity for holders of the certificate will reveal that the real issue is actually limited jobs opportunities out there and not the discrimination itself. In a booming economy with sufficient job opportunities, national diploma certificate alone is sufficient to land a good job that will guarantee decent living. If bagging a bachelor's degree guarantees automatic employment, there won't be numerous unemployed university graduates out there. Either your hold HND or bachelor’s degree, you'll still have to compete for the limited job opportunities available. The HND holder however has the advantage of starting small with jobs requiring National Diploma (ND) (some degree holders who had passed through the polytechnic before proceeding to the university also have this advantage). However, after securing a job, the HND holder still has to acquire additional academic qualification(s) in order to rise to the zenith of his/her career. What then are the alternatives available to the HND and holder and how does he/she break the discrimination barrier?

1. Entrepreneurship
This is the most effective weapon against unemployment and all forms of limitations associated with the discrimination against HND. With your HND certificate, you can create job for yourself and even degree holders.

2. Professional Certifications
Getting an internationally recognised professional certificate also increases the chance of securing a job. Despite the discrimination, most employers will still prefer a HND holder with relevant internationally recognised certificate to a fresh university graduate with none.

3. Master’s Degree
Studying further for a master's degree is another way of breaking the barrier of the discrimination. There are two categories of master's degree; professional and academic. All Universities in Nigeria do not admit HND holders directly (without postgraduate diploma or additional professional certifications) into their academic master's degree programmes. Only few among the universities admit HND holders with some years of experience into their professional master’s degree programme.
The good news however is there are many US’s and Australian universities that admit HND holders directly into their academic master's degree programme. So for those who can afford to travel overseas, this is an excellent alternative.

4. Postgraduate Diploma (PGD)
This is the best path to follow for those already in government employment in order to cross the grade level 14 hurdle. The Postgraduate Diploma also serves as a bridge to the academic master’s degree programmes in Nigerian universities, though some universities like University of Lagos would still not admit HND holders with PGD into their master’s degree programme.

5. Going for the freaking bachelor’s degree
This is one of the most difficult steps to take after HND. For those willing to follow this difficult path, the best way to go about is to travel to the UK for a top-up degree. The United Kingdom’s (UK) top-up degree is designed for the holders of her BTEC-HND (Business and Technology Education Council-Higher National Diploma). The BTEC-HND is a vocational qualification, usually studied full-time but can be studied part-time. It is roughly equivalent to the first two years of a 3 year degree in the UK. It is however equivalent to the Nigerian National Diploma (ND) and should not be confused with the Nigerian HND. Admission to the UK’s top-up degree programme can be gained with either the Nigerian ND certificate or HND certificate.


Above all, it is important to keep in mind that: The purpose of education is not to fill the minds with facts, but to teach the mind how to think. Therefore, the worth of an educated person is not determined by the certificate the person brandishes. It is rather determined by the problems the person can solve through creative thinking and innovation.

I'm a HND holder in architecture and I have an
opportunity of traveling to Switzerland or
Germany. pls I want to know if with my
qualification I can do a masters program in
any university in either country.
Thank you

I'm a HND holder in architecture and I have an opportunity of traveling to Switzerland or Germany. pls I want to know if with my qualification I can do a masters program in any university in either country. Anyone with useful information should please assist. Thank you