Qualifications Explained

SCQF

The Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework also known as the SCQF is a new way of understanding and comparing qualifications in Scotland. The framework is relevant to all learners and learning providers. It is simple a way of bringing Scottish qualifications together, making them easier to understand and allowing everyone to see how their qualifications compare with others. The diagram below shows the framework and the qualifications included in it. This includes school, college, university and some work based qualifications. Other qualifications available in Scotland will also be added as the framework develops.
Further information on the SCQF is available on the SCQF website www.scqf.org.uk

National Courses

Changes over the last few years have resulted in a more comprehensive range of National Courses being available in schools and further education colleges in Scotland.

These qualifications are broken into units, courses and awards and are available at different levels ranging from Access, Intermediate 1 and 2, Higher and Advanced
Higher. The Access 1 and 2 programmes cover a wide range of abilities including students with special educational needs and extensive learning disabilities. Access 3, Intermediate 1 and Intermediate 2 can be seen as being educationally equivalent to Foundation, General and Credit levels at Standard Grade respectively.

A typical national course would be made up of three 40 hour units and up to 40 hours more to allow students time to practice study and prepare for external exams. As part of the course, students take an internal assessment for each unit and a further course assessment which can be an examination or course work assessed by an outside examiner.

Core Skills

One of the main aims of further education is to encourage students to develop their capabilities to be active, enterprising and responsible members of society. Core skills enable individuals to put their own knowledge and understanding into action in a flexible manner, adapting their existing knowledge and skills to the demands of
new situations. Employers place a particularly high
value on these skills. They include communication, numeracy, problem solving, information technology and
working with others. All students will be provided with a core skills profile showing the level they have achieved.

Assessment / Examination

All Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) certificate and diploma awards are continuously assessed throughout the
duration of the course. Assessment may take the form of written or practical project work, according to the nature of the course.

Courses include - at non-advanced level - Professional Development Awards (PDA), National Certificate courses (NC), National Qualifications (NQ), at Access, ntermediate
1, 2 and Higher levels. Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQ), Access courses and leisure courses.

Advanced level courses include Higher National Certificate (HNC) and Higher National Diploma (HND). Many advanced level courses lead to further study at university, often directly into year 2 or year 3 of a degree course by way of articulation and progression agreements.

Scottish Qualification Certificate (SQC)

Is awarded for successful completion of one or more National Units or Modules. A National Unit or Module comprises 40 hours study (1 credit) but is often completed in less. Study at this level is suitable for people who do not have formal qualifications or who have not been in
education for some time.

Scqf Levels Sqa Qualifications Qualifications of Higher
Education Institutions Scottish VocationalNational Qualifications (NQ)
NQ Programmes are college devised
programmes of National Units which result
in the award of a Scottish Qualifications
Certificate. A group award is not made for
these programmes.

National Certificate Group Award (NC)

These courses consist of a number of National Units or Modules which lead to a group award. On successful completion of a National Certificate course you will be
better prepared to take up employment as the study is vocational and covers training related to the work place. Alternatively you may wish to continue your education at a
higher level using your National Certificate course as a strong foundation.

Access Course

Can provide access to a Higher National Certificate / Diploma or degree course, or entry to a college of nursing, teacher training etc. if the student successfully
completes the course. Usually no formal qualifications are required. There is usually great demand for limited places on Access courses so apply early.

Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQ)

Were developed to respond to current and future needs of business and industry and are based on national occupational standards.

SVQs are available for a wide range of occupations and they are offered at five levels. They can provide an excellent route for those wishing to enhance career
development. SVQs are primarily designed for the workplace, but can be studied at college (where simulated workplace environments have been established), or by a mixture of college attendance and workplace training.

National Progression Awards

National Progression Awards are designed to assess a defined set of skills and knowledge in specialist vocational areas and are linked to National Occupational
Standards. They are normally at SCQF levels 2-6.

Professional Development Awards

PDAs are normally designed for people who are already in a career and who wish to extend or broaden their knowledge or skills. However, in some cases they may also be for those wishing to enter employment.

PDA qualifications can be at different levels from NQ to HN and may include work based units. They assess against
national occupational standards or other professional body standards.

Higher National Units

Higher National Units are usually 40 hours in duration (1 credit).

Higher National Certificates (HNC)

To gain an HNC you must successfully complete the appropriate number of mandatory and optional credits for the award. The total number of credits required is normally 12. A full time HNC requires 1 year of study and you can also gain an HNC by way of part time study, usually over 2-3 years. You can work towards the full award
by studying, for example, 3 or 4 credits per year part time over a 2-3 year period. Single HN Units may also be studied out with group awards.

Higher National Diplomas (HND)

To gain an HND you must successfully complete the appropriate number of mandatory and optional credits for the award which must amount to 30 credits.

The HND offers a broader range of study than that of the HNC. In full time study, the Higher National Diploma usually takes two years to complete, although some HND
courses are offered on a part time basis. The time taken to attain the award via part time study will obviously be much longer.