SCQF Levels

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework has 12 Levels ranging from National Qualifications from Access SCQF Level 1 up to Doctorate at Level 12. Between Levels 1 and 12 the associated learning becomes more complex making increasingly greater demands on the learner. Increases in Level from 2 - 12 relate to factors such as:

• the complexity and depth of knowledge and understanding
• links to associated academic, vocational or professional practice
• the degree of integration, independence and creativity required
• the range and sophistication of application/practice
• the role(s) taken in relation to other learners/workers in carrying out tasks

SCQF Levels are not directly related to years of study. In some cases - eg in a four-year Honours Degree course - all or most of the learning done in any one year of full-time study will be at one level, and learning will progress from level to level. However, this is not a requirement of the SCQF in many programmes individuals are likely to be undertaking courses at different levels in the Framework at any one time and over a lifetime of learning individuals may move from a higher to a lower level qualification as they take on new learning and acquire new skills.

The Level Descriptors outline the general outcomes of learning at SCQF Levels 2 - 12 under five broad headings:

• knowledge and understanding (mainly subject based)
• practice (applied knowledge and understanding)
• generic cognitive skills (eg evaluation, critical analysis)
• communication, numeracy and IT skills
• autonomy, accountability and working with others

The descriptors allow broad comparisons to be made between the outcomes of any learning. They are not intended to give precise or comprehensive statements of required learning at each level. They should not be used as a "tick box" exercise, more of a `best fit' comparison. They can provide useful reference points when:

• determining the SCQF Level of a qualification or programme of learning
• designing a programme of learning
• determining the Level of individual units/modules
• assessing prior learning
• giving guidance on learning opportunities or training provision

Qualifications or programmes of learning positioned at the same SCQF Level are broadly comparable in terms of the general level of outcome. It does not mean that they have the same purpose, content or outcomes. And the SCQF does not describe qualifications as being interchangeable. It does mean they can be compared through levels of knowledge, skill and competence. For example, Advanced Higher, HNC and the Certificate in Higher Education are all positioned at SCQF Level 7, but they have different forms of delivery and assessment rules.

Most of the qualifications awarded by Scottish higher education institutions and qualifications awarded or accredited by SQA are on the Framework. The smallest free-standing qualifications (such as SQA Units) and components of larger qualifications (such as university modules) are allocated to a single level. Qualifications such as HNC, HND and Degrees are allocated a final or exit level.