SCQF
What is the SCQF?
SCQF stands for Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework. The SCQF shows how all qualifications in Scotland, such as those awarded by SQA and universities, compare with each other. More information about SCQF.
What does SCQF level mean?
The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework has 12 levels. The different levels indicate the level of difficulty of a particular qualification, with 12 being the most challenging.
What are SCQF credit points?
Credit points are a way of showing how much time it takes, on average, to complete a qualification or learning programme. They allow learners, learning providers and employers to compare different qualifications at the same or even different levels. One credit point is approximately 10 hours of learning. For example, 15 credits involves 150 hours of learning.
Why is SCQF information shown on the certificate?
Knowing your SCQF information can help you make decisions about what to do next. It also helps colleges and universities make decisions about entry or progression and helps employers understand how your qualifications compare to other qualifications.
SCQF information also helps people outside of Scotland to compare Scottish qualifications to qualifications on their own frameworks.
What SCQF information is shown on the Scottish Qualifications Certificate?
The certificate has three sections:
- The summary of attainment, which lists all of the Group Awards, Courses and stand-alone Units that you have achieved and shows SCQF levels of the qualifications which have been credit-rated
- The detailed record of attainment gives more detail about the qualifications you've achieved since the last certificate was issued, and will include SCQF levels and credits
- The profiles section shows your current achievements in Core Skills and SCQF credits
Are SCQF credit points the same as UCAS tariff points?
No, SCQF credit points do not relate to UCAS tariff points.
Why do grades A, B, C and D get the same number of credit points?
The SCQF level is the level of knowledge and skill needed to achieve that award. The number of SCQF credit points gained doesn't change depending on your grade - the SCQF credit points reflect how much learning you've achieved, not how well you've learned it. Your grades show how well you have done.
Is there an easy way to see SQA qualifications in the SCQF?
Please download Ready Reckoner (134 KB) of SQA qualifications.
What does 'general credit' and 'specific credit' mean?
The SCQF credit points given to a qualification are 'general' credit points. They don't relate to any subject or any particular purpose - they just help people understand how qualifications relate to one another.
Do units have an SCQF level and credit points?
Units have an SCQF level and credit points.
The Scottish Qualification Certificate (SQC) reports the level and credit points of each unit a candidate achieves.