THE SCOTTISH CREDIT AND QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORK (SCQF) AND YOUR SCOTTISH QUALIFICATIONS CERTIFICATE (SQC)

Next year, the Scottish Qualifications Certificate issued by SQA will include more prominent information on the SCQF. After reading this page, you can contact the SQA Customer Services line on 0845 279 1000 to make general enquiries about your Scottish Qualification Certificate ( www.sqa.org.uk), or you can ask for advice on your career options by contacting the Careers Scotland Helpline on 0808 100 8000.

What is the SCQF?
The SCQF is a way of comparing and understanding Scottish qualifications. It does this by giving qualifications a level (based on how difficult the learning is) and a credit value (based on how long it takes people to achieve the qualification). See more information on the Framework here: www.scqf.org.uk/the_framework.asp

What is the SCQF for? Why do we have it?
The SCQF aims to make it easier for everyone — learners, employers, and education and training providers — to understand the range of Scottish qualifications and how they relate to each other. This in turn will make progression and transfer between qualifications easier.

Should I know about the SCQF?
Yes. More and more qualifications are being placed in the framework, so it is likely that you will come across the SCQF and become more familiar with it over time.

Do I get more points for better grades?
The number of SCQF credit points you’ve gained doesn’t change depending on your grade at any particular level. Your SCQF credit points reflect the amount of learning you have achieved and been certificated for, not how well you have learned it. How well you’ve done is reflected in your grades.

Why is the SCQF on my certificate?
All National Qualifications (Highers, Intermediates etc) have been placed in the framework by SQA, who are responsible for developing many Scottish qualifications. National Qualifications have been in the framework for a number of years now, but this is the first time the information has been shown on your certificate.

As more and more qualifications are being placed in the framework, the framework is helping learners to identify how they can move from one learning opportunity to another. More and more people in education and training know about the SCQF, and are using it, so it’s important that you know about it too.

How is my SCQF profile calculated?
Each qualification has been placed at a specific level of the SCQF and allocated SCQF credit points. Click here to see where each qualification is placed and the SCQF credit points allocated. Follow this link to see more information about how your qualifications fit into the SCQF.

For example, Highers have been placed at level 6. Each Higher is made up of four units (three are assessed internally and one is assessed externally). Each Unit is worth six SCQF credit points. So each Higher has a total of 24 SCQF credit points. If you passed three Highers, you will have 72 SCQF credit points at level 6 on your certificate.

What does the SCQF level of a qualification mean?
The level of the qualification shows how difficult a qualification is. There are 12 levels in the framework, level 1 being the least difficult and level 12 the most difficult.

What do SCQF credit points mean?
The amount of SCQF credit points you have shows how much learning has been achieved.

National Qualifications (Advanced Highers, Highers, Intermediate 1s, Intermediate 2s, and Access 1-3) are made up of Units. Each Unit is worth 6 SCQF credit points. All Standard Grades are worth 24 SCQF credit points. Click here to see what each qualification is allocated.

Each Higher is made up of four units (three are assessed internally and one is assessed externally). Each Unit is worth six SCQF credit points. So each Higher has a total of 24 SCQF credit points. If you passed three Highers, you will have 72 SCQF credit points at level 6 on your certificate.

When did the SCQF start?
The SCQF has been around since 2001. It continues to develop, and over time more and more learning opportunities will be added to the framework. People change jobs and careers far more frequently than they did in the past and have to acquire new skills and qualifications throughout their lives. The SCQF aims to ensure that people get maximum recognition for any learning they have already achieved.

Is the SCQF a new set of qualifications?
No, it is not a new set of qualifications. It’s just a way of helping people to understand and describe the existing qualifications.

Does the SCQF award qualifications?
No. Your schools exams will continue to be awarded by the SQA. What’s new is that SQA has allocated SCQF levels and credit points to its qualifications.

Do employers, colleges and universities know about SCQF? Colleges and Universities are exploring ways to use the SCQF now and in the future.

Will the SCQF help me get a job?
Not directly, but there are many different qualifications and the framework diagram is a useful way to show potential employers what level your learning is at.

Will the SCQF help me get into college or university?
Entrance into college or university is at the discretion of the institution and normally relies on your grades and subjects.

How do SCQF credit points relate to UCAS tariff points? Are they the same as UCAS tariff points?
SCQF credit points are not the same as UCAS tariff points, and they won’t replace UCAS tariff points as a means of accessing a course at University.

Should I go for qualifications with lots of SCQF credit points?
No, as has always been the case, you should study for qualifications that are most relevant to your future plans. Speak to your Guidance Teacher or Careers Advisor if you are unsure about what qualifications you should study.

Are all qualifications in the SCQF?
Not yet. At the moment, SVQs are being placed in the framework, and other qualifications will follow.

National Qualifications in the SCQF