qualifications glossary

Doctorate
Doctorates are available through several routes. The PhD is normally awarded following the successful completion of a thesis requiring the equivalent of three years’ full-time research and study to complete. Professional Doctorates also require the equivalent of three years’ full-time research and study, and will frequently involve work-based as well as HEI-based research and study.

SCQF Level: 12 (Scottish Higher Education (SHE) level D)
Credit Points: At least 540 credits of which a minimum of 420 is at level 12. (Research-based Doctorates do not have a credit rating)

MBA
See Masters Degree, below.

Masters Degree
Masters Degrees are available through several different routes: as a programme for graduates or equivalent through the equivalent of at least one year of full-time study; as a programme of, typically, the equivalent of five years of full-time study that integrates undergraduate study with the Masters Degree.

SCQF Level: 11 (SHE level M)
Credit Points: At least 180 credits of which a minimum of 150 is at level 11. For integrated Masters, at least 600 credits of which a minimum of 120 is at level 11.
(Credit definitions do not normally apply to the MPhil — see Doctorate Degrees)

Certificate – Professional Development Awards (PDA’s)
PDAs are qualifications for people already in a career who wish to develop an aspect of their existing skills, develop new ones or change direction. There are four kinds of PDA: Advanced Diploma normally at SCQF level 9-11; Diploma, normally at SCQF level 7 or 8; Advanced Certificate, normally at SCQF level 6; and Certificate, normally at SCQF level 4 or 5.
Note: As each PDA is reviewed and revised, it will be credit rated.

SCQF Level: 4–11
Credit Points: Dependent on Units that make up the particular PDA.

Diploma - Professional Development Awards (PDA’s)
PDAs are qualifications for people already in a career who wish to develop an aspect of their existing skills, develop new ones or change direction. There are four kinds of PDA: Advanced Diploma normally at SCQF level 9-11; Diploma, normally at SCQF level 7 or 8; Advanced Certificate, normally at SCQF level 6; and Certificate, normally at SCQF level 4 or 5.
Note: As each PDA is reviewed and revised, it will be credit rated.

SCQF Level: 4–11
Credit Points: Dependent on Units that make up the particular PDA.

Professional
There are a variety of professional qualifications across a wide range of industries and awarding bodies. Further details can be obtained by contacting the training provider or institution.

• Courses are taken at universities and colleges. They’re usually full-time although part-time and open/flexible learning opportunities are increasing. In Scotland an Honours Degree is usually a four-year course in which the student specialises in one or two subjects after the first two years. Normal entry requirements are a minimum of 3/4 Highers; however there are alternative entry routes;
• Access courses are an alternative entry route for adults. They sometimes guarantee a place on a degree course but more often now provide the minimum entry requirements.
• An HNC in a relevant subject may give entry to a degree, usually to year 1.
• An appropriate HND may give entry to year 2 or even year 3.

The Honours Degree is typically offered through the equivalent of four years’ full time higher education. The Honours Degree is recognised as the normal entry to postgraduate study.

SCQF Level: 10 (SHE level H)
Credit Points: At least 480 credits of which a minimum of 180 is at levels 9 and 10, including at least 90 at level 10.

Ordinary Degree
The Ordinary Degree is typically offered through the equivalent of three years’ full-time higher education. The Ordinary Degree is recognised as the normal entry to a number of professions across the UK.

SCQF Level: 9 (SHE level 3)
Credit Points: At least 360 credits of which a minimum of 60 is at level 9.

Graduate Diploma in Higher Education (Dip HE)
Normally a 2 year course at college or university, which can lead on to year 3 of a degree. You normally need 2-3 Higher Grades to do this. The Diploma of Higher Education is typically offered after the equivalent of the first two years of full-time higher education in Scotland. The precise focus and outcomes will be identified in the relevant programme specifications.

SCQF Level: 8 (SHE level 2)
Credit Points: At least 240 credits of which a minimum of 90 are at level 8 or higher.

Certificate in Higher Education (Cert HE)
The Certificate of Higher Education is typically offered as an exit award after the equivalent of one year of full-time higher education in Scotland. The precise focus and outcomes will be identified in the relevant programme specifications.

SCQF Level: 7 (SHE level 1)
Credit Points: At least 120 credits of which a minimum of 90 are at level 7 or higher.

HND
Normally a two year course at college. You will usually need 1 or 2 Higher Grades to do this, or an HNC to go straight into year 2. Some further education (FE) colleges have ‘articulation’ arrangements for entry to later years of specified degree courses (at specified institutions with which the college has formal arrangements), from specified HND programmes. HNDs are normally offered through the equivalent of two years’ full-time higher education. They can give entry to degree programmes at either level 8 or 9, depending on articulation agreements.

SCQF Level: 8
Credit Points: 120 credits at level 8 and 120 credits at level 7 (at present Units are not allocated to a level).

HNC
Normally a one-year course at college. You will normally need at least one Higher Grade to do this. An HNC in a relevant subject may give entry to a degree, usually to year one. Some further education (FE) colleges have ‘articulation’ arrangements for entry to later years of specified degree courses (at specified institutions with which the college has formal arrangements), from specified HNC programmes. HNCs are normally offered through the equivalent of one year’s full-time higher education. They can give entry to HNDs and degree programmes at level 7 or 8 depending on articulation agreements.

SCQF Level: 7
Credit Points: 96 to 120 credits (at present not all units are allocated to a level).

Advanced Higher
These are usually taken in 6th year or at college. Advanced Higher extends the knowledge gained at Higher level and can be helpful for those progressing to Higher Education.This replaced the Certificate of Sixth Year Studies. Advanced Higher Courses are usually made up of three Units and an external assessment — an examination or a project — all at the level of the Course. Each Advanced Higher Unit is worth 8 credits at level 7. There may be a choice of Units available. These Courses are typically used for entry to higher education and employment.

SCQF Level: 7
Credit Points: 32 credits at level 7.

Advanced Higher – Scottish Group Awards (SGA’s)
SGAs are made up of National Courses and Units at two levels. They give credit for SVQ 3 or SVQ 4. Achievement of all five Core Skills is required — three at Higher and two at Intermediate 2. This qualification is designed to prepare people for entry to further and higher education, training or employment. Note: At this level there is a single general award. Programme content will reflect learner choice. SGAs are currently under review.

SCQF Level: 7
Credit Points: 144 credits of which 96 must be at level 7 (these must come from three Advanced Higher Courses) and 48 at level 6.

Higher
These are subjects that you can study in S5 or S6. They are the traditional entry route to higher education (HE). They’re generally taught in school over 1 year. It is also possible to study for Highers at college where part time study or open/flexible learning may be an option. Highers are part of the National Qualifications framework. Grades for Highers run from A to D with A being the highest. Grades A to C are considered passes. Higher Courses are usually made up of three Units and an external assessment - an examination or a project - all at the level of the Course. Each Higher Unit is worth 6 credits at level 6. There may be a choice of Units available. In some cases learners may count Advanced Higher Units (level 7) towards the Course. These Courses are typically used for entry to higher education and employment.

SCQF Level: 6
Credit Points: Normally 24 credits at level 6 (if Advanced Higher Units are counted towards the Course, it will be worth more points).

Higher – Scottish Group Awards (SGA’s)
These SGAs are made up of National Courses at level 6 and National Units at level 5 or above. They give credit for Standard Grades and SVQs. Achievement of all five Core Skills at Intermediate 2 or Higher is required. These qualifications are designed to prepare people for entry to further and higher education, training or employment. The focus is reflected in the titles of particular awards. There is also a general SGA.
Note: SGAs are currently under review.

SCQF Level: 6
Credit Points: 120 credits of which 72 must be at level 6 (these must come from three Higher Courses) and 48 at level 5.

Intermediate 1 and 2
These are usually taken in 5th or 6th year, although some schools now offer them in earlier years. They can help with progress towards Higher level qualifications.

Intermediate 1
The Intermediate and Access levels provide students from a wide ability range with courses which allow them to progress at an appropriate pace. Intermediate 1 Courses are usually made up of three Units and an external assessment — an examination or a project — all at the level of the Course. Each Intermediate 1 Unit is worth 6 credits at level 4. There may be a choice of Units available. In some cases learners may count Intermediate 2 Units (level 5) towards the Course. These Courses are typically used for entry to further.

SCQF Level: 4
Credit Points: 24 credits at level 4.

Intermediate 1 – Scottish Group Awards (SGA’s)
These SGAs are made up of National Courses at level 4 and National Units at level 3 or above. They give credit for Standard Grades and SVQs. Achievement of all five Core Skills at Access 3 or above is required. This qualification is designed to prepare people for entry to further education, training or employment.
Note: At this level there is a single general award. Programme content will reflect learner choice. SGAs are currently under review.

SCQF Level: 4
Credit Points: 96 credits of which 48 must be at level 4 (these must come from two Intermediate 1 Courses) and 48 at level 3.

Intermediate 2
Intermediate 2 Courses are usually made up of three Units and an external assessment — an examination or a project — all at the level of the Course. Each Intermediate 2 Unit is worth 6 credits at level 5. There may be a choice of Units available. In some cases learners may count Higher Units (level 6) towards the Course. These Courses are typically used for entry to further education, training and employment.

SCQF Level: 5
Credit Points: 24 credits at level 5.

Intermediate 2 – Scottish Group Awards (SGA’s)
The Intermediate and Access levels provide students from a wide ability range with courses which allow them to progress at an appropriate pace. These SGAs are made up of National Courses at level 5 and National Units at level 4 or above. They give credit for Standard Grades and SVQs. Achievement of all five Core Skills at Intermediate 1 or 2 is required. These qualifications are designed to prepare people for entry to further education, training or employment. The focus is reflected in the titles of particular awards. There is also a general SGA.
Note: SGAs are currently under review.

SCQF Level: 5
Credit Points: 96 credits of which 48 must be at level 5 (these must come from two Intermediate 2 Courses) and 48 at level 4.

Access Courses
These are programmes of study at three levels (1, 2 or 3) which are unit based but do not involve national examinations. They can be taken to help progress towards Intermediate level qualifications. Some further education (FE) colleges have ‘articulation’ arrangements for entry to later years of specified degree courses (at specified institutions with which the college has formal arrangements), from specified Access programmes.

Access 3
The Intermediate and Access levels provide students from a wide ability range with courses which allow them to progress at an appropriate pace. Access 3 Clusters are usually made up of three Units, all at the level of the Cluster, with no external assessment. There may be a choice of Units available. Each Access 3 Unit is worth 6 credits at level 3. In some cases learners may count Intermediate 1 Units (level 4) towards the Cluster. These Clusters are typically used for entry to further education, training and employment.

SCQF Level: 3
Credit Points: 18 credits at level 3.

Access 3 – Scottish Group Awards (SGA’s)
These SGAs are made up of National Clusters or coherent groupings of Units and/or Units at two levels. They give credit for Standard Grades and SVQs. Achievement of all five Core Skills at Access 2 or above is required. This qualification is designed to prepare people for entry to further education, training or employment.
Note: At this level there are general awards. Programme content will reflect learner choice. SGAs are currently under review.

SCQF Level: 3
Credit Points: 72 credits of which 36 must be at level 3 and 36 at level 2.
NB This is for a single award — candidates can go on to achieve double or triple awards. The total for a double award is 108 and for a triple award is 144.

Access 2
The Intermediate and Access levels provide students from a wide ability range with courses which allow them to progress at an appropriate pace. Access 2 Clusters are usually made up of three Units, all at the level of the Cluster, with no external assessment. There may be a choice of Units available. Each Access 2 Unit is worth 6 credits at level 2. In some cases learners may count Access 3 Units (level 3) towards the Cluster. These Clusters are typically used for entry to further education, training and employment.

SCQF Level: 2
Credit Points: 18 credits at level 2.

Access 2 – Scottish Group Awards (SGA’s) These SGAs are made up of National Clusters or coherent groupings of Units and/or Units at two levels. They give credit for Standard Grades and SVQs. Achievement of all five Core Skills at Access 2 or above is required. This qualification is designed to prepare people for entry to further education, training or employment.
Note: At this level there are general awards. Programme content will reflect learner choice. SGAs are currently under review.

SCQF Level: 2
Credit Points: 54 credits of which all 54 must be at level 2.
NB This is for a single award — candidates can go on to achieve double or triple awards. The total for a double award is 84 and for a triple award is 108.

Access 1
The Intermediate and Access levels provide students from a wide ability range with courses which allow them to progress at an appropriate pace. Access 1 Units are designed to be used in programmes of learning designed for the personal needs of learners with severe and profound learning difficulties. Many of these Units are designed to articulate with the outcomes of Access 2 Units, offering progression.

SCQF Level: 1
Credit Pioints: Each Access 1 Unit is worth 6 credits at level 1.

National Certificate (NC)
An individual module takes about 40 hours to complete. A group of related modules (set by the SQA) makes up a National Certificate (NC) which usually takes 1 year full-time. There are no exams for modules - your work is assessed as you go along. As you can be awarded a qualification for each module you complete you can get a range of qualification without having to go to college for a year. For example, you might want a qualification in a particular word processing package or accounting system. There are generally no entry requirements for NC courses.
NB: Scottish Group Awards (SGAs) will replace National Certificates (NCs) over the next few years.

National Qualifications (NQ)
This is the system of courses and qualifications for everyone studying beyond standard grade. It has 5 levels:

• Access
• Intermediate 1
• Intermediate 2
• Higher
• Advanced Higher

You can find detailed definitions of these qualifications above.

Other
Courses offering a qualification listed as ‘Other’ on the s1learning site refer to qualifications outside the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework. They include qualifications such as City and Guilds, or those awarded by trade or industry bodies. Details of the qualification will usually be listed on the course detail, or can be ascertained by contacting the university or college.

Col Cert (College Certified) or Non Cert (Non Certified)
These are courses which do not offer any formal qualification. They are usually designed to improve skills or knowledge in a certain discipline, and can sometimes lead to the pursuit of a formal qualification.

VQ
Vocational Qualification. See SVQ, below.

SVQ Levels 1-4
SVQs are generally taken at work although they’re becoming increasingly available at colleges. They recognise your ability to do a particular job. There are 5 SVQ levels ranging from introductory to very advanced. SVQs are based on the National Occupational Standards originally developed by National Training Organisations (NTOs) and now falling within the remit of Sector Skills Councils (SSCs). Typically an SVQ is achieved in the workplace. Some SVQs or SVQ Units are incorporated into other awards or programmes including HNCs, Scottish Progression Awards and Modern Apprenticeships. SVQs combine work-based competences and underpinning knowledge.

SCQF Level: 4–11
Credit Points: Note: Work is underway in consultation with NTOs/SSCs, to develop an agreed model for allocating credits to SVQs.

SVQ Level 5
SVQs are generally taken at work although they’re becoming increasingly available at colleges. They recognise your ability to do a particular job. There are 5 SVQ levels ranging from introductory to very advanced. SVQs are based on the National Occupational Standards originally developed by National Training Organisations (NTOs) and now falling within the remit of Sector Skills Councils (SSCs). Typically an SVQ is achieved in the workplace. Some SVQs or SVQ Units are incorporated into other awards or programmes including HNCs, Scottish Progression Awards and Modern Apprenticeships. SVQs combine work-based competences and underpinning knowledge.

SCQF Level: 4–11
Credit Points: Note: Work is underway in consultation with NTOs/SSCs, to develop an agreed model for allocating credits to SVQs.