FAQs

  • What is the SCQF?

The SCQF helps you understand Scottish qualifications. It provides a way of talking about, and comparing, qualifications. This will help you make better choices about learning and help you progress. The SCQF brings together all the mainstream Scottish qualifications. It gives them credit points, which show how much learning has been achieved, and a level, which shows how demanding the learning is.

  • Why does Scotland need a framework of levels and credits?

There are many different qualifications - for example, Standard Grades, Highers, SVQs, HNC/Ds and Degrees - and the Framework is a way of showing how they relate to one another.

  • How do I work out what credits I have?

Your community learning and development worker, school, college or university staff or training provider will tell you how many credit points each qualification represents. Or you can have a look on our database to check the number of credit points and level allocated to a particular learning programme.

  • What's the difference between general and specific credit?

SCQF credit points are general credit points to show the amount of learning you need to undertake to gain a qualification. For credit transfer, the SQA and individual colleges and universities will decide how relevant that piece of learning is for the new programme of learning you want to do and award specific credit points. For example, an HND in Business might provide a large number of credits toward a degree in Business, but only a small number of credits towards a professional qualification in Accounting. Specific credit means credit that would count for a specific purpose.

  • Does it matter what subjects I study so long as I get levels and credits?

Yes. You should still choose the programmes of learning that you think will be best for you to go on to further or higher education, to get a job or start a career.

  • How do SCQF credit points relate to UCAS tariff points? Are they the same?

SCQF credit points are not the same as UCAS tariff points. UCAS is the organisation that processes applications for higher education courses, and tariff points relate to the grade at which a qualification has been achieved. SCQF credit points are a measure of how much learning needs to be done to achieve a particular qualification, whatever the final grade. Visit the UCAS website at http://www.ucas.ac.uk/students/ucas_tariff/ for more info on tariff points.

  • I know that mainstream Scottish qualifications such as Highers and Standard Grades are in the SCQF. What other qualifications are in the SCQF?

There are some learning programmes and professional qualifications that you might take at college, university, in the workplace or your local youth club or community centre that may also have an SCQF level and credits. Some examples are: Youth Scotland's Youth Achievement Awards (Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum levels); ASDAN's Certificates of Personal Effectiveness (Levels 1-3); Youthlink Scotland's Training for Advocates award; the City + Guilds Certificate in Retail Principles; the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL); and the Chartered Management Institute's Introductory Diploma in Management.

  • I have lost my exam certificate. Can the SCQF reissue it to me?

No. You would need to contact the awarding body concerned. For example, the SQA for Highers, Standard Grades & Intermediates or the university you attended for degree certificates.

  • What SCQF information is shown on the Scottish Qualifications Certificate (SQC)?

The new certificate has three sections:

  • Summary of attainment lists all the Group Awards, Courses and stand-alone Units that you have achieved, and shows SCQF levels of the qualifications which have been credit-rated.
  • Detailed record of attainment gives more detail about the qualifications you've achieved since the last certificate was issued, and will include SCQF levels and credit.
  • Profiles section shows your current achievements in Core Skills and SCQF credits.