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Scottish qualifications recognised in Indian education system
SQA Advanced qualifications are now benchmarked against Indian National Skills Qualification Framework.
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Scottish qualifications recognised in Indian education system
16
September
2025
None
Wednesday 17 September 2025
SQA Advanced qualifications now benchmarked against Indian National Skills Qualification Framework
Indian students gain clear pathway to globally recognised qualifications and international university progression
Partnership supports India's economic goals while strengthening Scotland's international education presence
Students in India will gain clearer access to globally recognised qualifications following a comprehensive benchmarking of Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) Advanced programmes within India's education system.
The benchmarking report, conducted by global education experts ECCTIS, establishes direct equivalency between SQA Advanced qualifications and India's National Skills Qualification Framework. SQA Advanced Certificates align with NSQF Level 4.5, whilst SQA Advanced Diplomas match Level 5.0.
The initiative provides Indian students with transparent pathways to acquire industry-relevant skills in high-demand fields including Business, Software Development, Electronic Engineering, and Hospitality Management. Students completing SQA Advanced Diplomas can progress to third-year entry at partner universities across North America, Europe, and Asia, enabling degree completion within three years.
For India, this partnership bridges the gap between domestic education standards and international qualifications. The alignment supports the country's National Education Policy 2020 emphasis on skills development and flexible learning pathways, helping cultivate an industry-ready workforce that enhances economic growth.
The credit-based structure allows students to complete a one-year SQA Advanced Certificate before progressing to the two-year SQA Advanced Diploma, developing both specialist expertise and transferable skills for direct employment or further academic study.
"Achieving an SQA Advanced Diploma is an excellent way for learners to develop expertise in their chosen field," said Margaret Curran, International Regional Manager at SQA. "This benchmarking work in India means that local students can embark on the first two years of a degree programme in their home country, with clear pathways to complete a third year at one of SQA's progression partner universities."
Gillian Hepburn, Head of International at SQA, added: "Our international partners recognise the value we offer, which allows Scotland, as an outward-looking nation, to contribute to and benefit from the international community. This aligns perfectly with the Scottish Government's international strategy, promoting Scottish education and Scotland worldwide."
The benchmarking reinforces Scotland's commitment to international education partnerships whilst providing Indian students enhanced opportunities for career progression and global mobility.
More information about SQA Advanced Certificates and Diplomas, and a copy of the benchmarking report, can be found here.
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17-SEP-2025
Wed, 17 Sep 2025 09:45:55 +0100
NEW
SQA publishes National Qualifications Course Reports for 2024-25
From today (Thursday 11 September), SQA will start publishing its 2025 National Qualifications course reports.
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SQA publishes National Qualifications Course Reports for 2024-25
11
September
2025
None
Thursday 11 September 2025
From today (Thursday 11 September), SQA will start publishing its 2025 National Qualifications course reports.
Course reports provide a comprehensive summary of how learners have performed in their exams and coursework at National 5, Higher, and Advanced Higher levels over the past year.
Written by principal assessors, other senior appointees – who are experienced teachers and lecturers – these reports offer deep insights into learner performance highlighting areas of the course assessment where learners performed well, and address which aspects proved to be more challenging.
The reports also contain advice for teachers, lecturers, and training practitioners on preparing learners for the coming year’s exams and assessments – the first National Qualifications to be delivered by Qualifications Scotland – as well as statistical data relating to grade boundaries.
The first reports to be published today cover the following subjects: Applications of Mathematics, Art and Design, Computing Science, Dance, Drama, Engineering Science, English, Fashion and Textile Technology, Graphic Communication, Health and Food Technology, History, Mathematics, Mathematics of Mechanics, Media, Music, Photography, Practical Cake Craft, Practical Cookery, Practical Metalworking, Psychology and Statistics.
Schools and colleges will receive weekly updates with links to the latest available reports.
Donna Stewart, Scotland’s Chief Examining Officer and Director of Qualifications Development at SQA, said: ”Course reports give teachers and lecturers delivering SQA National Qualifications an invaluable insight into how learners across the country have performed in their subject at all available levels.
”The reports highlight areas where learners excelled and identify aspects of the courses that posed challenges. This detailed analysis is crucial for educators, as it helps them understand where learners performed well, and which areas of the exam and/or the coursework proved to be more demanding. The reports also include statistical data on grade boundaries, which is essential for setting realistic expectations and goals for learners.”
Ms Stewart continues: “These reports offer teachers and lecturers practical advice to help them prepare their learners for the exams and assessments they will undertake in the coming year; the first to be delivered by Qualifications Scotland.”
SQA publishes course reports every year, and they remain a key component of the support SQA puts in place for schools, colleges and training providers delivering National Qualifications. Alongside the 2025 course reports, SQA’s Understanding Standards programme will continue to offer subject specific support through online resources, webinars, and events.
Additionally, SQA’s newly appointed Senior Advisor for schools is working on a delivery plan to help drive culture change ahead of the launch of Qualifications Scotland.
Ms Stewart adds: “We encourage all practitioners to use the reports – and other available resources. They are a valuable addition to the professional learning materials SQA makes available to teachers and lecturers which explain the national standards for assessment in each course and contain examples of good learner performance.
“This, and the work done by the new schools’ unit, will ensure that in the months and years to come, SQA and in-turn Qualifications Scotland will have a stronger understanding of learning and teaching in Scotland’s schools.”
Links and further information:
Today, the 2025 course reports that are available for each available level (National 5, Higher, and Advanced Higher) are: Applications of Mathematics, Art and Design, Computing Science, Dance, Drama, Engineering Science, English, Fashion and Textile Technology, Graphic Communication, Health and Food Technology, History, Mathematics, Mathematics of Mechanics, Media, Music, Photography, Practical Cake Craft, Practical Cookery, Practical Metalworking, Psychology and Statistics.
Individual course reports can be found on the drop-down menus on each specific subject level webpage.
The remaining course reports will be published over the coming weeks and will be highlighted to schools and colleges in each week's SQA News bulletin.
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11-SEP-2025
Thu, 11 Sep 2025 15:33:26 +0100
UPDATED