NPA Climate Change and Sustainability SCQF level 3 and 4

This National Progression Award (NPA)

  • focuses on the impacts of climate change
  • encourages sustainable lifestyles

It develops knowledge and understanding of climate change and sustainability. It also develops geographical skills, such as interpreting and using information from numerical sources, and the scientific skills required to carry out an experiment or practical investigation. Learners will have the opportunity to explore the causes of climate change and the consequences for people and the environment, as well as developing an understanding of the importance of sustainable living and development.

This qualification may be delivered by schools, colleges and training providers.

It can be taught as a full-time or part-time course or in conjunction with related qualifications such as National 3 and 4 Geography and National 3 and 4 Environmental Science.

This NPA may enable centres and learners to contribute towards the Scottish Government’s climate change plan by providing learners with opportunities to develop the skills, capabilities, attributes, knowledge, motivation and behaviours to live sustainable lifestyles.

Qualification structure

Group award code: GT7R 43 (12 SCQF credit points)

SCQF level: 3

This National Progression Award consists of two mandatory units (12 SCQF credit points):

  • Geography: Global Issues in the context of Climate Change (J6MV 73)
  • Environmental Science: Sustainability (H24S 73)

Group award code: GT7T 44 (12 SCQF credit points)

SCQF level: 4

This National Progression Award consists of 2 mandatory units (12 SCQF credit points):

  • Geography: Global Issues in the context of Climate Change (J6MV 74)
  • Environmental Science: Sustainability (H24S 74)

See the group award specification (208 KB) for the full list of mandatory and optional units.

Unit search

How to assess

Assessment will be a combination of practical and knowledge assessments under closed- and open-book assessment conditions. See the assessment and evidence requirements for each unit.

Assessment and/or e-assessment support packs are available for this qualification.

Deliver this qualification

Understanding Standards

Course assessment overview

Changes to understanding standards materials

Please note: Understanding Standards materials are regularly reviewed to ensure they remain up to date.

Resources

Why study this qualification

The NPA in Climate Change and Sustainability is designed for a wide range of learners, including:

  • learners who are at school or who have just left school
  • learners who want to study at a pace and style that they determine
  • adults returning to education

You will develop your knowledge and understanding of the causes and consequences of climate change and the need for sustainable living and development. You will also develop important geographical skills such as interpreting and using information from numerical sources and the scientific skills to enable you to carry out an experiment or practical investigation.

If you are already studying for National Courses in Geography or Environmental Science, you may wish to take this award to further your knowledge about the relationships between climate change and sustainable living.

Access

Entry is at the discretion of the school, college or training provider. However, it would benefit you to have attained the skills, knowledge and understanding required by one or more of the following, or equivalent qualifications and/or experience:

  • NPA Climate Change and Sustainability at the level below (if appropriate)
  • National Courses or Units in Geography

National Courses or Units in Environmental Science

Employment and progression

You could use this level 3 award to progress to:

  • study for the award at SCQF level 4
  • National Courses or Units in Geography at level 3 or 4
  • National Courses or Units in Environmental Science at level 3 or 4

You could use this level 4 award to progress to:

  • National Courses or Units in Geography at level 4
  • National Courses or Units in Environmental Science at level 4

Qualification structure

Group award code: GT7R 43 (12 SCQF credit points)

SCQF level: 3

This National Progression Award consists of two mandatory units (12 SCQF credit points):

  • Geography: Global Issues in the context of Climate Change (J6MV 73)
  • Environmental Science: Sustainability (H24S 73)

Group award code: GT7T 44 (12 SCQF credit points)

SCQF level: 4

This National Progression Award consists of 2 mandatory units (12 SCQF credit points):

  • Geography: Global Issues in the context of Climate Change (J6MV 74)
  • Environmental Science: Sustainability (H24S 74)

See the group award specification (208 KB) for the full list of mandatory and optional units.

Unit search