Levels

Guidelines now available.

We are publishing on the downloads page the current working version of our guidelines that underpin the activity of credit rating programmes of learning. These will be piloted and revised later in the year. They are based on current practice in HEIs based on the SCQF system.

The Framework has 12 levels – ranging from National Qualifications from Access Level 1 up to Doctorate at Level 12. Between levels 1 and 12 the associated learning becomes more complex making increasingly greater demands on the learner. Increases in level from 2 - 12 relate to factors such as:

• the complexity and depth of knowledge and understanding
• links to associated academic, vocational or professional practice
• the degree of integration, independence and creativity required
• the range and sophistication of application/practice
• the role(s) taken in relation to other learners/workers in carrying out tasks

SCQF levels are not directly related to years of study. In some cases - eg in a four-year Honours Degree course - all or most of the learning done in any one year of full-time study will be at one level, and learning will progress from level to level.

But in many other programmes, learners can be taking courses at different levels in the Framework at any one time, eg on an SVQ or a Scottish Group Award.

Over a lifetime of learning, learners will often move from a higher to a lower level of qualification as they take on new learning and acquire new skills such as moving from an Ordinary Degree in Physics to starting to learn a new language.

The Framework descriptors outline the general outcomes of learning at SCQF Levels 2 - 12 under five broad headings:

• knowledge and understanding (mainly subject based)
• practice (applied knowledge and understanding)
• generic cognitive skills (eg evaluation, critical analysis)
• communication, numeracy and IT skills
• autonomy, accountability and working with others

The descriptors allow broad comparisons to be made between the outcomes of any learning. They are not intended to give precise or comprehensive statements of required learning at each level. They should not be used as a "tick box" exercise, more as a best fit comparison. But they can provide useful reference points when:

• determining the SCQF level of a qualification or programme of learning
• designing a programme of learning
• determining the level of individual units/modules
• assessing prior learning
• giving guidance on learning opportunities or training provision

Qualifications or programmes of learning positioned at the same SCQF level are broadly comparable in terms of the general level of outcome.

• It does not mean that they have the same purpose, content or outcomes. And the SCQF does not describe qualifications as being interchangeable.
• It does mean they can be compared through levels of knowledge, skill and competence. For example, Advanced Higher, HNC and the Certificate in Higher Education are all positioned at SCQF level 7, but they have different forms of delivery and assessment rules.

The main qualifications awarded by Scottish higher education institutions and qualifications awarded or accredited by the SQA are placed on SCQF levels. The National Implementation Plan outlines the timetable for all their qualifications being placed in the Framework. Please note the position of SVQs in the framework is currently under review and further informaton on SVQs will be published later in the year.

• the smallest free-standing qualification (such as SQA Units) and components of larger qualifications (such as university modules) are allocated to a single level
• larger qualifications are allocated a final or exit level

The level of the qualification is likely to be of interest to employers. The level of the individual unit or module is likely to be of interest to learners and will be used for credit transfer.

All qualifications or learning programmes in the Framework have outcomes that have or are capable of having a quality assured assessment system.

After 2005 it will be standard practice to include SCQF information on certificates and descriptions of qualifications that are in the framework.

The Main Qualifications table gives you an idea of the position of the main qualifications in the Framework.

The Introduction to the SCQF gives more information on levels and levels descriptors.