About Us

Background to the SCQF

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (the Framework) promotes lifelong learning in Scotland. Through the Framework you can find out about all mainstream qualifications in Scotland and plan your future learning. The Framework supports everyone in Scotland, including learning providers and employers, by:

  • helping people of all ages and circumstances to get access to appropriate education and training so they can meet their full potential;
  • helping employers, learners and the general public to understand the full range of Scottish qualifications, how qualifications relate to each other and to other forms of learning, and how different types of qualification can contribute to improving the skills of the workforce.

SCQF Partnership

In November 2006 the SCQF Partnership was established as a company limited by guarantee to manage the Framework. The company became a charity registered in Scotland in March 2007. Its members are:

  • the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education;
  • Scotland's Colleges;
  • Ministers of the Scottish Government;
  • the Scottish Qualifications Authority; and
  • Universities Scotland.

It can also co-opt up to 2 Directors.

The Board of Management recently took the decision to co-opt a further Director and on 1 April 2010 Jack Matthews was invited to take on this role representing the interests of employers.

The Aims of the SCQF Partnership

The SCQF Partnership's aims are to:

  • maintain the quality and integrity of the Framework;
  • promote and develop the Framework as a way of supporting lifelong learning; and
  • develop and maintain relationships with frameworks in the rest of the UK, Europe and the rest of the world.
    SCQF Quality Committee

Maintaining the quality and integrity of the Framework is vital for it to be successful. The SCQF Partnership Board established the SCQF Quality Committee to support the quality of the Framework and to provide clear, accurate technical information to learners, the public and others with an interest in learning, including learning providers and employers. Chaired by Dr. Ray Harris, Chief Executive of Scotland's Colleges, the Committee is composed of experts in quality assurance from a number of educational environments. The Quality Committee advises the SCQF Partnership Board on matters relating to the quality and integrity of the Framework and meetings take place once a quarter.

Details of the organisations that comprise the membership of the SCQF Quality Committee can be found within the Terms of Reference.

SCQF Forum

To help us support the Framework, we have set up the SCQF Forum. The Forum is made up of senior representatives from the fields of education, business and communities in Scotland. The Forum provides us with sectoral feedback and input to help us ensure that the Framework continues to meet the needs of all learners, employers and other users of Scottish qualifications, within Scotland and in Europe and the rest of the world. Details of the organisations that comprise the membership of the SCQF Forum can be found within the Terms of Reference.

SCQF Communications

The Framework provides the language used to describe all learning. Effective communication is at the heart of the Framework, so to complement the SCQF website, we produce publications about learning in Scotland and keep stakeholders up to date with developments via a bi-annual hard copy newsletter, SCQF Update. We also provide more regular updates via our bi-monthly e-zine, In the Frame. To join the mailing list for the SCQF Update or In the Frame, contact Sam Houten Feeley on 0845 270 7371 or at samantha@scqf.org.uk.

Report on Evaluation of Progress in Embedding SCQF

In early 2010, the SCQF Partnership Board invited a consultant to carry out an evaluation of progress in embedding the SCQF within Scottish education, training and employment since setting up the Partnership. In addition they were asked to look at learner awareness and understanding of the SCQF. We are delighted with the report which does indicate that broadly we are delivering well and using appropriate techniques by working with partners. In addition, however, it has given us some food for thought in terms of where we think we could do even better with stakeholder support.

Read the report 
Read the SCQF Partnership Board's response to the report