SCQF Credits

Credit points are a simple way of showing how much learning you have done to achieve a qualification. Along with the level descriptors, they allow learners, learning providers and employers to compare different qualifications on the same or even different levels.

Credit in the SCQF is defined by the number of SCQF credit points. They quantify the outcomes of learning that are subject to valid, reliable methods of assessment.

The number of points is based on the probable time that an 'average' learner at a specified level might expect to take to achieve the outcomes. They indicate the amount of learning that an 'average' learner needs to acquire, not the actual, or the required, time taken to learn:

• 1 credit point represents the amount of learning achieved through a notional 10 hours of learning time which includes everything a learner has to do to achieve the outcomes in a qualification including assessment procedures

This is only a guide. No points are added or taken away if more or less time is taken to achieve the outcomes.

Most mainstream qualifications in Scotland have been allocated a number of SCQF credit points. For example:

• an Honours Degree has a total of 480 credits with at least 90 at level 10
• an SQA Higher course has 24 credits at level 6

More information is available in the Summary of Credit Points and the Introduction to the SCQF on credit points for particular qualifications. If you wish extra information on qualifications in the higher education sector please go to The framework for qualifications of higher education institutions in Scotland published in 2001 by QAA.

If your qualification is not on any of these, contact your local careers guidance office or learndirect scotland.

Our guidelines on credit rating activity are in the process of finalisation. These guidelines will be published later in the year as Section 1 of the SCQF Handbook. The version of the guidelines available on the downloads page gives you an idea of how the credit rating bodies decide on the number of credits and the level of a programme of learning.

General SCQF Credits can help learners to transfer credit between learning programmes. The SQA and HEIs decide how much of the credit already achieved is relevant to the new programme and the specific number of credits that can then be transferred. The existence of the SCQF will make these decisions clearer, more consistent and more public.