The principal assessment body for vocational further education in Scotland is the
Scottish Qualifications Authority
(SQA), which makes awards at non-advanced and advanced levels for a
wide range of courses in the technical and business sectors. At the
non-advanced level the certificate awarded is known as a National
Qualification. National Qualifications may be awarded as an individual
National Unit, National Courses and Group Awards, such as National
Progression Awards or National Certificates. At the advanced level the
awards are Higher National Units, Higher National Certificate (HNC),
Higher National Diploma (HND) and Professional Development Awards (PDAs).
The SQA is also the statutory accreditation body for Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs).
The Education (Scotland) Act 1996 provided for the SQA to take over the functions of both the
Scottish Examination Board
(SEB) and the Scottish Vocational Education Council (SCOTVEC). SQA is
responsible not only for awarding certificates but for the validation
of Units, Courses and Group Awards, and for the development,
administration and assessment of National and Higher National
Qualifications. The SQA devises and awards qualifications from SCQF
level 1 through to SCQF level 12.
It also approves education and training establishments as suitable
places to offer programmes leading to these qualifications.
In addition to its awarding role, the SQA also has an
accreditation function, defined in the Education (Scotland) Act 1996.
This Act requires SQA to establish an Accreditation Committee. This
reflects the need for a clear separation between SQA's awarding and
accrediting functions, to avoid any perception of unfair competition
with the other awarding bodies whose qualifications are accredited by
the SQA. Currently, the Accreditation Unit accredits Scottish
Vocational Qualifications (SVQs). The work of the Accreditation Unit,
since it provides a national regulatory facility, is funded by the
Scottish Government Lifelong Learning Directorate.
Scottish
Vocational Qualifications (SVQ) exist at five levels. They are based on
the National Occupational Standards (NOS), which Sector Skills Councils
(SSCs) and other Sector Bodies develop through discussion and
consultation with their sector. The SSCs are also responsible for
developing the SVQ qualification structure, again in partnership with
their sector. The SVQs have therefore been designed by employers for
specific areas of employment. They relate to ability to do a specific
job, based on actual working practices in real workplace conditions.
The SVQ is analogous to the National Vocational Qualification
The
City and Guilds of London Institute (CGLI) also offers examinations in
Scotland and some colleges present students for examinations set by the
Royal Society of Arts (RSA) or by professional institutions.
Higher Education
Universities
have the right to award degrees to those who successfully complete
their courses. The holder of a degree is described as a "graduate".
Universities are responsible for the courses which lead to these
degrees and for their own standards. The Royal Scottish Academy of
Music and Drama in Glasgow, which is not a university, has been granted
the right to award degrees (though not research degrees). In the other
higher education institutions, although the institution provides the
teaching, the degrees are awarded by a university. Degrees awarded in
Scotland are recognised throughout the United Kingdom.
Although
the first degree in most faculties in Scottish universities is a
Bachelor’s degree, the first degree in Arts in the four "ancient"
universities and Dundee University is MA or Master of Arts. Heriot-Watt
University also offers some "first degree" MAs, but at Honours level
only. A Master’s degree in all other faculties and in the other
universities is a post-graduate qualification.
Institutions:
City and Guilds of London Institute 1 Gilpspur St., London, WC2N 6EZ Tel.:0171 294 2468 Fax:0171 294 2400
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