Higher Technical Qualifications are level 4 and level 5 qualifications - sitting above A-levels but below a full bachelor's degree - that have been approved by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education as meeting employer-set occupational standards. They typically take one to two years full time and can be studied at further education colleges, some universities, and specialist providers.
What level 4 and level 5 mean
Level 4 is equivalent to the first year of a bachelor's degree. Level 5 is equivalent to the second year. An HTQ at level 5 - such as a Foundation Degree or Higher National Diploma - can often be topped up to a full bachelor's degree with one additional year at a university if you later decide you want the full qualification.
Which sectors have approved HTQs
As of 2025, approved HTQs exist in:
- Digital and IT (software development, cybersecurity, data analytics).
- Engineering and manufacturing (electronic engineering, mechanical engineering).
- Health and science (laboratory science, health and social care management).
- Construction (building services engineering, civil engineering technician).
- Business and finance (accounting technician, business administration).
The Office for Students publishes the full register of approved HTQs. Look for courses carrying the "Institute-approved HTQ" quality mark.
Salary outcomes compared to degrees
Salary data for HTQ graduates is less mature than for degree graduates because the qualification category is relatively new. Early data from the Department for Education suggests that in technical sectors - particularly digital and engineering - HTQ holders at level 5 command similar early-career salaries to degree graduates in the same field, while carrying no tuition fee debt.
Tip: Use CourseMap to look at the five-year LEO salary for the degree version of your subject, then compare it to the advertised salary ranges for roles requiring level 4 to 5 qualifications on job boards in that sector. The gap is often smaller than assumed, particularly outside London.
Cost and funding
HTQs are funded through Advanced Learner Loans for students aged 19 and over, which work on similar income-contingent repayment terms to undergraduate loans. Some employers fund HTQs directly as part of professional development programmes.
For school leavers aged 16 to 18, HTQs at further education colleges may be funded without a loan through 16 to 19 funding - check with the college directly.