Equivalent qualifications: How Literacy and Numeracy Units relate to similar National Units
Where qualifications develop a similar set of skills, we say they are 'equivalent' to one another.
The National Literacy Units at National 3, National 4 and National 5 are equivalent to the Core Skills Communication Units and National Certificate Communication Units, while the Numeracy Units are equivalent to the Core Skills Numeracy Units.
Equivalency tables
The tables show where these qualifications are equivalent to one another, and how they relate to the levels of the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF).
This information can be used to help learners avoid duplicating effort, which could happen if they are required to take a qualification that is equivalent to one they have already achieved.
The tables can also be used to identify where it is possible to progress from one type of qualification to another.
Table 1 Equivalences — Core Skill: Numeracy and the National Numeracy Units
| Core Skill: Numeracy | SCQF level | National Numeracy Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Higher | 6 | N/A |
| Intermediate 2 | 5 | National 5 Numeracy |
| Intermediate 1 | 4 | National 4 Numeracy |
| Access 3 | 3 | National 3 Numeracy |
| Access 2 | 2 | N/A |
Find out more about how Core Skill Numeracy and the National Numeracy Units are equivalent (39 KB).
Table 2 Equivalences — Core Skill: Literacy and the National Literacy Units
| Core Skill: Communication | SCQF level | National Literacy Unit | National Certificate (NC) Communication |
|---|---|---|---|
| Higher | 6 | N/A | NC Communication (Higher) |
| Intermediate 2 | 5 | National 5 Literacy | Units do not currently match |
| Intermediate 1 | 4 | National 4 Literacy | Units do not currently match |
| Access 3 | 3 | National 3 Literacy | Units do not currently match |
| Access 2 | 2 | N/A | N/A |
Find out about how Core Skill: Communication, the National Literacy Units and the National Certificate Communication Units are equivalent (43 KB).
Important information
Some programmes may require a specific generic skills qualification and may not accept equivalent qualifications.
SQA will not provide certification for equivalent qualifications based on these tables.