The Framework for students at colleges and universities

At college or university, when you gain academic and/or vocational qualifications you will earn credit points that can go towards the learning you may need to do all through your life.

• learning that you can do in college or university, or at work, or in the community
• learning that will earn you academic and/or vocational qualifications that will help you in your career and in your everyday life

How does it work? (view diagram)

The Framework includes different qualifications at the same level. It doesn't mean that the qualifications are the same. The subject content may be different and how they are assessed, but they can be just as hard to achieve and demand the same level of skill or understanding, so they are positioned at the same level in the Framework.

You get SCQF credit points for the amount of learning you have to do to earn the qualification. That's why some qualifications - even at the same level - earn more credit points than others. For example, both an Advanced Higher and an HNC are at SCQF level 7. But the Advanced Higher course has 32 credit points and the HNC has 96. For more information on credit points view the Summary of Credit Points.

It's possible to transfer the credit points that you get for one programme of learning to another, related programme of learning. The Framework doesn't guarantee that will happen. It's up to the SQA and individual universities and colleges to make the final decision. But it means it's possible to move onto another pathway to learning without having to do the same work over again. For example, from an HND in Engineering to the second or third year of a Degree in Engineering or from one HEI course to another in the same institution or elsewhere. For more information contact your guidance tutor or course leader.

From 2004, most Scottish qualifications, such as Highers, SVQs or Degrees, will also be described by their SCQF level and appropriate credit points.