Vocational qualifications prove to an employer that you are capable of taking on a job and doing it successfully. Some cover broad subject areas, others relate to specific skills. They can also help you to get a place at university.

Most qualifications we offer are accredited and awarded by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) although we also offer qualifications from other awarding bodies such as City & Guilds, EMTA, COSCA and ILM.

Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA)

SQA are responsible for developing and awarding vocational qualifications in Scotland. All SQA vocational qualifications are based on the concept of ‘building up’ to a qualification bit by bit using study units. We offer 3 different types:

National Qualifications (NQ)

These offer a broad range of options, available at a number of levels:

• Access 1, 2, 3
• Intermediate 1, 2
• Higher & Advanced Higher

Higher National Certificate (HNC) and Higher National Diploma (HND)

HNCs and HNDs are work-related (vocational) higher education qualifications. They are widely respected and valued by employers both in the UK and overseas, and can also count towards membership of professional and technical bodies and other employer organisations. They are accepted for entry to many degree courses, often directly into 2nd or 3rd year. Both comprise Higher National Units and a Graded Unit.

HNCs can take one year to complete full time and two years part time (or in other situations such as distance learning). HNDs take two years full time and can also be taken part time (which takes longer).

Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs)

SVQs are designed in consultation with employers and, because they are based on standards set directly by the industry, are a guarantee of ability and competency.

They are available to people of all ages and at all stages of their careers. The qualifications comprise Workplace Assessed Units which are assessed in the workplace or under simulated workplace conditions. SVQ awards are available at five different levels.

Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF)

The SCQF is a way of comparing the wide range of Scottish qualifications.