National Qualifications

About National Qualifications

A photo of pupils in class studying

National Qualifications in detail

Find out more about the current system of National Qualifications in Scotland, with information about Standard Grades and National Courses and Units, and how they are assessed. 

Also included is information about the future changes to Scottish National Qualifications within Curriculum for Excellence.

Advice and guidance on new qualifications

The latest information about advice and guidance which will support practitioners delivering courses within the new national qualifications (NQ) framework.

Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF)

Use the framework to understand the relationship and equivalence between the 12 levels of attainment in the SCQF. The levels range from Access 1 to postdoctoral studies.

About core skills

Find out about the core skills of communication, numeracy, problem solving, using information technology and working with others.

Skills for Work

See details of these courses which have been introduced to encourage young people in schools and colleges to become familiar with the world of work.

Employability skills

Skills for Work courses will help to develop employability skills in young people. This page describes the skills and attitudes valued by employers and has links to some useful websites.

Related links

Building the Curriculum 5: A framework for assessment

Find out about this aspect of Curriculum for Excellence and how it relates to National Qualifications.

Scottish Baccalaureates

Scottish Baccalaureates are new qualifications which were introduced for the first time in August 2009. The SQA website provides all the relevant information.

S1-S6 Progression: 'A coherent learning experience'

A discussion paper for senior managers in secondary schools setting out the ways in which the learning experience can be made coherent for learners as they progress through S1-S6.