Credit Points

Credit points are used to quantify learning outcomes and give them a value or currency. They are a way of showing how much time it takes, on average, to complete a qualification or learning programme. Along with the Level Descriptors, they allow learners, learning providers and employers to compare different qualifications at the same or even different levels.

Credit points quantify the outcomes of learning that are subject to valid, reliable methods of assessment. The number of points is worked out on the basis of the amount of time that an 'average' learner at a specified level might expect to take to achieve the outcomes. In common with other credit systems, the SCQF works on the basis that one credit point represents the amount of learning achieved through a notional 10 hours of learning time which includes everything a learner has to do to achieve the outcomes in a qualification including the assessment procedures

This is only a guide. No points are added or taken away if more or less time is taken to achieve the outcomes.

Most mainstream qualifications in Scotland have been allocated a number of SCQF credit points. For example:

• an Honours Degree has a total of 480 credits with at least 90 at Level 10
• an SQA Higher has 24 credits at Level 6
  

Credit Transfer

In some instances it may be possible to transfer SCQF credit points to other learning programmes to ensure that a learner does not have to repeat any learning they have already undertaken. Universities and colleges, SQA and other awarding bodies decide how many of the credit points already received from previous learning can be transferred into their programmes. For example it may be possible to transfer credit from an HND (240 credit points at SCQF Level 8) to a degree programme (360 credit points of which a minimum of 60 are at SCQF Level 9).

In all cases of credit transfer it would be the decision of the accepting learning institution as to how many credit points could be transferred.