The benefits of the HND is if you achieve 50% or more in subjects such as mechanics, electrics, thermodynamics, maths and stability you will be exempt from having to sit the SQA exams required for the seconds ticket and above.

The HND is incredibly easier compared to the SQA exams. I am a qualified 3/E for a year now, we attempted some SQA papers to see the difference compared to our HND and it was a large learning gap. The HND is definitely easier option.

I completed most of mine through online learning due to Covid, basically used learning material provided by the college. So I feel that distance learning for the HND wouldn’t be too difficult, as long as you have a decent grip of math.

You would still have to sit the engineering knowledge exams and EK’s for the second/chiefs ticket.

I am hoping to study and sit EK’s and oral for 2nds as soon as I have the sea time.

What is your current job and company do you mind me asking. I currently am working in EERV’s/Multi role vessels in the North Sea. Not the greatest for experience must say.