NextGen: HN; Grading, Articulation and Progression

If you are currently studying for a NextGen: HN qualification and considering progressing to further study at university, please ensure you confirm, in advance, the entry requirements of any Higher Education Institutions you are considering applying to.

If you are a Higher Education Institution (HEI), find out how you can prepare to receive NextGen: HN learners, the support we can provide, and our new approach to grading in NextGen: HN in our video below:

Preparing to receive NextGen: HN learners

For SQA centres and HEIs, full details of our approach to NextGen: HN grading, and information on articulation and progression are available below.

Grading

NextGen: HNs have a new approach to grading, designed to better reflect a learner’s standard in their qualification. Rather than the graded unit(s) used in current HN qualifications, NextGen: NHs will have whole qualification grades.

To achieve a grade in a NextGen HN, a learner will have to demonstrate achievement across the breadth of the qualification content. This will ensure they are recognised for the full range of their achievement, and motivated to perform across the qualification content, rather than being led to focus effort on one or two assessments towards the end of teaching.

Along with this, NextGen: HNs are being designed with fewer, larger units, to encourage a holistic approach to delivery and assessment. The qualifications will have a consistent size and level by design. NextGen HNCs will be level 7 and 120 SCQF credit points, with at least 80 of those points at SCQF Level 7; NextGen HNDs will be level 8 and 120 SCQF credit points, with at least 80 of those points at SCQF Level 8. Centres will therefore be freed to focus on teaching the depth of the qualification, drawing out the connections between different elements of the content.

Grade outcomes

Learners who pass NextGen: HNs will receive one of the following grade outcomes:

  • Achieved
  • Achieved with Merit
  • Achieved with Distinction

These outcomes each have a grading statement which briefly describes a candidate’s performance on their certificate for each of the three grades.

'Achieved'' represents a learner who has passed all the required units, and in addition shown a consistent standard across the breadth of their qualification, having demonstrated thorough knowledge, understanding and application of skills. ‘Achieved with Merit’ and ‘Achieved with Distinction’ represent standards above this.

The new grade outcomes will not directly correlate to the current qualifications' graded unit outcomes of A, B or C, as these are based solely on the graded unit(s).

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Articulation from NextGen: HNC to HEIs

Articulation agreements between colleges and HEIs are generally local arrangements based on the notion of credit accumulation and transfer (CAT).

The opportunity to enter employment or progress along the SCQF framework into further college or university study is widely recognised as one of the key strengths of our Higher National provision. NextGen: HN will enhance these opportunities. HEIs may offer advanced standing - direct entry to second year of degree programmes - to students based on the level they have achieved.

Articulation is defined by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) as ‘a student gaining entry into the second year of a degree with an HNC gained at college, or into the third year with an HND gained at college’.

Therefore, with prior arrangement, a collaborative ‘matching of content’ and a satisfying of any further University conditions a student gaining a NextGen: HNC could articulate to a second year of a degree.

Articulation to a NextGen HND in same institution

There are many routes that could lead to a HND within the same institution.

If the preceding study level was a NextGen: HNC, the articulation is straightforward. However, at this early stage it is possible that the preceding qualification was a non-NextGen: HNC.

It is relatively common for colleges to allow their students to achieve 15 credits at HNC level as a matter of course. Given this, and in keeping with previous handovers between old and new qualifications, colleges will need to review their own frameworks. Where direct articulation gaps are evident, the college should consider Recognition of Prior Learning.

Once entry has been gained to the NextGen: HND, further articulation should be possible to third year of a degree if the above conditions are met.

UCAS arrangements

We have been engaging with UCAS to ensure articulation routes from NextGen: HN programmes are as smooth as possible.

  • NextGen: HN qualifications are visible on the UCAS Advisor Portal within the application process and display as:
  • SQA Higher National Certificate (NextGen)
  • SQA Higher National Diploma (NextGen)

Grades entered for NextGen: HN awards on the UCAS Advisor Portal will be in line with the NextGen: HN grading model.

Predicted grades are entered by choosing:

  • P (Achieved)
  • M (Achieved with Merit)
  • D (Achieved with Distinction)