Return of External Assessment Material Requests

SQA provides a service to return non-examination material submitted to us for assessment. This is for coursework due to be assessed for the 2025 examination diet.

If you wish to request the return of coursework materials for 2025, please submit a completed request form:

• Candidate request
• Care-experienced learner request
• Centre request

The following information will assist you when requesting SQA to return non examination materials submitted to us for assessment.

The closing date for requests is Friday 21st November 2025. Any requests received after this date will incur an additional late charge.

We will start to dispatch materials from Monday 20th October 2025.

Late Requests

Late requests will be accepted until 23rd December 2025 when the returns procedure ends.

Charges

There is a charge for returning externally assessed materials, each request is £3.91 per subject/level for each candidate (3D artwork included) Each late request is £5.87, these are calculated per subject and per level.

What to Expect

Candidates should check with their centre before submitting a request as the centre may still be holding a copy of your coursework.

You will receive your coursework as it was submitted, you will not see any marks, notes or annotations made by the marker.

Your original submission will be returned to you wherever possible, however you may receive a copy.

• Digital files / USBs / CDs — Please note that we cannot return any digital files submitted for Media, Music, Music Technology and Music: Portfolio. You should contact your school, college, or training provider as they may hold a copy of your work.

Appeals and Exceptional Circumstances

We are required to retain evidence for 12 months after the final decision is made on grades awarded through an appeal or the exceptional circumstance consideration service. In these circumstances your work will not be returned until after this period.

Examination Exceptional Circumstances Consideration (EECCS) — return of additional evidence

For Centres only — if you require the return of the additional evidence sent to SQA as part of an EECCS submission, please email return.materials@sqa.org.uk.

Other important information:

• Damaged items

  If your materials were damaged during transit to SQA, or during the assessment itself, we may not be able to return them. There is no compensation for any damaged folios.

• Packaging of materials

  If you submit a request to have your materials returned, SQA may not be able to do this in the original packaging. We do not accept requests to return packaging alone (for example portfolio cases). There is no compensation for any packaging materials that are not returned or damaged during the marking process.

Frequently asked questions

When will I receive my materials?

SQA will dispatch your materials from Monday 20th October 2025, and they will arrive with you from this date onwards. SQA will only send requests to the address you have provided on your form, please make sure you advise us if you change your address.

What will happen if my materials are not requested for return?

Any unrequested work (non-appeals) will be securely disposed of at the end of the current calendar year. SQA will hold appeals and exceptional circumstances material for one year, after which we will securely dispose of any unrequested appeals materials.

Can exam scripts be returned?

No, exam scripts are not returned. An exemption to the right of access under data protection law applies to exam scripts.

Can I contact someone about my request?

Yes, you can email your enquiry to return.materials@sqa.org.uk. Please provide your full name, Scottish Candidate Number (SCN) and centre/school name.