Qualifications

Most courses don't lay down entry qualifications for mature students (21 and over) but look at what you've done and how long it is since you've studied.

The Scottish Qualifications system has recently been made easier to understand with the introduction of the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF). It has 12 levels (1-12) and enables providers, learners and employers to understand and compare the levels of different Scottish Qualifications as well as support the transfer of credit points (see below) from one qualifications to another. More information can be gained from www.scqf.org.uk.

National Courses/Units is a system of courses for everyone studying beyond Standard Grade. It has 5 levels (beyond Standard Grade) and these courses can be studied at further education colleges and community education centres.
• Access 3
• Intermediate 1
• Intermediate 2
• Higher
• Advanced Higher

Highers
is the traditional route to Higher Education. Very few adults use Highers as an entry route. Alternative routes to Higher Education include:

Access courses
enable adults who do not hold formal qualifications to go on to higher education, taking courses such as HNCs and HNDs or degrees.

Access courses can be run through the Scottish Wider Access Programme or arranged by individual colleges. Although successful completion of these courses does not necessarily guarantee a place on a relevant higher/further education course, it does greatly improve your chances.

Access courses are normally one-year full time, but some may be available by part time study. For further information contact the Scottish Wider Access Programme or the college/institution you would like to attend

Scottish Qualification Authority (SQA)
Most college courses lead to qualifications validated by the SQA. These qualifications are based on National Certificate (NC) modules or Higher National (HN) units. You don’t sit exams when you’re taking SQA courses instead you show that you can understand and can use what you’ve been studying. Qualifications lead on from each other. A National Certificate gives entry to a Highers National Certificate or Diploma which in turn, can lead into a degree course, sometimes into 2nd or even 3rd year.

Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs)
are based on assessment in the workplace and open to people of all ages. Employees are tested on what they can actually do and their skills are compared to nationally agreed standards. Some SVQs can also be taken at college.

Credit Points
These are points which indicate how much learning has taken place - the amount of learning covered by the qualification: e.g. one credit point is equal to 10 hours of notional learning (including assessment)

For a comprehensive overview of the range of qualifications available see http://www.learndirectscotland.com/Help/Qualifications/