Higher International Certificate
Credits: 120 | Level 4
The Higher International Certificate is a Level 4 qualification aligned to the UK Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ). This qualification has a total of 120 credits (60 ECTS) and is benchmarked to other UK qualifications such as a HNC, a Certificate of Higher Education or the first year of a UK university degree.
The Higher International Certificate has been designed to be a more accessible solution than studying at a traditional college or university.
This accredited online qualification is aimed at learners that are either already in work, are looking to make a career change, or are looking to improve their prospects for working at a more senior level within their chosen industry.
The Higher International Certificate allows learners to gain valuable knowledge and skills for the workplace. By choosing this qualification you will benefit from developing employability skills to prepare you for a new career, or to help you progress in your current work.
Disciplines
Click College offers a wide range of 120-credit Higher International Certificates across subject areas such as Business Management, Marketing, Finance Management, Human Resources, Hospitality and Tourism, and Project Management.
How the Higher International Certificate Fits Within the Qualification Framework
The Higher International Certificate is a fully UK-Accredited 120-credit (60 ECTS) Level 4 qualification aligned to the UK Higher Education Framework (FHEQ) and designed for both UK and international learners seeking a recognised route into university-level study.
For UK learners, the qualification provides an academically benchmarked alternative to traditional first-year university study, offering flexibility, open access and coursework-based assessment. For international learners, it offers a UK-accredited qualification with clearly defined credit value, aligned to internationally recognised frameworks and supported by ECTS equivalence.
The Higher International Certificate can be completed as a standalone qualification or used as a progression point towards the Higher International Diploma (EduQual Level 5) and International Graduate Diploma (Level 6), with each stage building on previously achieved credits and learning.
How the Qualifications Build and Overlap
This diagram illustrates the enveloping structure of Click College’s university-level qualifications and the flexibility available to learners when choosing how to begin their studies.
Learners may choose to start with the Higher International Certificate (HIC) as a standalone Level 4 qualification, achieving a recognised award in its own right. Alternatively, the HIC may be studied as the first stage of the Higher International Diploma (HID) or as part of the full International Graduate Diploma (IGD) route.
The Higher International Diploma (HID) incorporates the Higher International Certificate and extends study to Level 5. Learners progressing to the HID build directly on the learning and credits achieved at Level 4.
The International Graduate Diploma (IGD) incorporates both the HIC and HID and represents the complete progression through Levels 4, 5 and 6. Learners following this route complete the full sequence of study as a single, integrated degree-level qualification.
This flexible, nested structure allows learners to:
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Start with no prior business qualifications on an open-access basis
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Achieve a recognised qualification at the level of their choosing
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Progress without losing credit or repeating learning
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Study each qualification as a standalone award or as part of a longer progression route
- Direct Entry at Level 5 and 6 are also available to learners with existing level 4 or 5 qualifications – contact Click College for further details.
All qualifications are fully UK-accredited and aligned to recognised higher education frameworks. Recognition and progression opportunities may vary by institution and country and are subject to individual entry requirements.
If you would like to discuss which option suits you best, please contact us so that we can advise you.
How Will a Higher International Certificate Develop My Understanding of a Subject?
A Higher International Certificate develops learners’ knowledge and critical understanding of the well-established principles, concepts and theories relevant to their chosen subject area. Learners gain an understanding of how these principles are applied in professional and practical contexts and how they inform analysis and decision-making within the discipline.
Learners will also develop the ability to collect, analyse, interpret and present qualitative and quantitative information appropriate to their field of study. This supports the development of reasoned arguments, evidence-based conclusions and informed judgements, using established techniques and approaches.
On successful completion, learners are typically able to evaluate the suitability of different methods and approaches to solving subject-related problems and communicate information, ideas and analysis clearly and accurately to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
Careers
Holders of a Higher International Certificate will have developed the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment within their chosen industry.
Whether you are a career-changer or are looking to work your way up the corporate ladder, a Higher International Certificate qualification demonstrates your knowledge and skills at a recognised higher education level.
Duration
Learners typically take 6-12 months to complete a Higher International Certificate course, although learners remain in full control over how long their studies take.
Delivery
Courses are 100% online distance learning delivered via bite-sized learning plans including short videos, worked examples, e-workbooks and practice questions.
Courses develop your theoretical knowledge to supplement the practical and real-world experience you may already have.
Assessment
Assessment is via written assignments. There are no exams, no timetables and no deadlines to adhere to. You learn at your own pace in your own time.
Support
Full tutor support is available via email, message, voice and video-call. Click College Faculty staff consist of a blend of academic lecturers and practising professionals.
Entry Requirements
All of our Higher International Certificate courses are ‘open’, meaning that anyone can enrol. We teach you all of the fundamental knowledge you need to succeed within your chosen qualification.
Accreditation
Courses are available internationally and are accredited by a UK awarding organisation and aligned to recognised higher education frameworks.
Why Study With Click College?
UK-Accredited Qualifications
Recognised internationally, career focussed helping you to boost your employability and progress to higher-level study.
100% Online
Study from anywhere in the world.
No Classes, No Schedule, No Exams
Start any day and graduate any day – fits in around your existing commitments.
Expert Tutor Support
Request one to one support from qualified tutors any time.
Get started today
Enrol today on a Higher International Certificate and gain a recognised level 4 qualification.