NC Hospitality Operations SCQF level 5

Hotel lobby

This National Certificate (NC):

  • provides an overview of the hospitality industry with a focus on key soft and transferable skills common to all customer-facing roles, while allowing a degree of technical specialism in front of house/back of house activities
  • develops knowledge and understanding of the size and scope of the hospitality industry
  • offers optional units to enable centres to meet local needs
  • provides a platform for learners to either progress to further study or pursue employment opportunities

This qualification is mostly available through colleges.

National Certificates are designed for full-time delivery over one year or part-time delivery over two years (including evening provision). Many are suitable for open and distance learning and may also be offered as January-start access to HN courses.

Qualification structure

Group award code: GP6X 45 (72 SCQF credit points)

SCQF level: 5

This National Certificate consists of 6 mandatory units (48 SCQF credit points) and 4 optional units (24 SCQF credit points).

Mandatory units include:

  • Working in the Hospitality Industry
  • Food Hygiene for the Hospitality Industry
  • Health and Safety in the Hospitality Industry
  • Developing Customer Care in Hospitality
  • Food and Beverage Operations
  • Hospitality Costing

See the group award specification (760 KB) (800 KB) for the full list of mandatory and optional units.

Unit search

How to assess

Assessment of this NC is through a series of theoretical and practical assessments or tasks. Some assessments will be carried out under supervised open-book conditions.

There are opportunities to combine the delivery and assessment of various units. For example, the units Food and Beverage Operations and Developing Customer Care in Hospitality work well together.

Assessment support packs are available for selected units and can be found on SQA's secure website.

Qualification Verification Summary Report

Deliver this qualification

Qualification Support Team meeting notes

Resources

Industry relevant facilities appropriate to the award content delivered. This may include:

  • commercial grade kitchen and restaurant facilities with appropriate equipment
  • access to 'real' customers for service and development of customer care and communication skills
  • excellent links with industry to enable appropriate work experience, visits and visiting speakers
  • appropriate classroom and ICT facilities to enable appropriate approaches to development of skills and knowledge (including research, and digital skills). This may include specialist software to support accommodation and front of house specialisms

Please see our information sheet (164 KB) for detailed resource requirements for the Barista Skills unit.

Why study this qualification

The NC in Hospitality Operations at SCQF level 5 is designed for a wide range of learners, including:

  • learners who have just left school
  • adults returning to education
  • individuals who are currently in employment and wish to obtain a formal qualification
  • employees who want to develop their career

The qualification is also suitable if you are interested in pursuing a career in the hospitality industry in a wide range of roles such as in food and beverage service, housekeeping, concierge and guest services, reception and reservations, or to help you to progress to more advanced qualifications in hospitality at college.

You will develop knowledge and understanding of the size and scope of the hospitality industry, as well as technical skills required for front of house/back of house activities.

You will also develop important Core Skills in Communication, Numeracy, Problem Solving, ICT and Working with Others, as well as employability skills for working in the hospitality industry, such as customer care and health and safety.

Access

Entry is at the discretion of the centre. However, you would benefit from having attained the skills, knowledge and understanding required by one or more of the following or equivalent qualifications and/or experience:

  • A National Course in Hospitality at SCQF level 4
  • Appropriate groupings of National Units
  • Relevant SVQs at SCQF level 4
  • Relevant industrial experience

Employment and progression

You could use this level 5 award to progress to:  

  • further study at SCQF level 6
  • an HNC in hospitality or related area
  • a PDA in hospitality
  • employment in the hospitality sector

Qualification structure

Group award code: GP6X 45 (72 SCQF credit points)

SCQF level: 5

This National Certificate consists of 6 mandatory units (48 SCQF credit points) and 4 optional units (24 SCQF credit points).

Mandatory units include:

  • Working in the Hospitality Industry
  • Food Hygiene for the Hospitality Industry
  • Health and Safety in the Hospitality Industry
  • Developing Customer Care in Hospitality
  • Food and Beverage Operations
  • Hospitality Costing

See the group award specification (760 KB) (800 KB) for the full list of mandatory and optional units.

Unit search

Resources

Your college will advise you of any resources required.