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Higher National Qualifications

This section lists publications about Higher National Qualifications - for subject-specific Higher National Assessments, see the Higher National Assessments section.
Some of the publications are available to download in PDF format, by clicking on their title.

Catalogue of Higher National Units
The HN Catalogue is no longer being produced. Please refer to the HN Units spreadsheet (2 MB) for the most up to date information.

Guidance on Core Skills (377 KB)
Using the design principles for Higher National Certificates and Diplomas 
These guidelines apply where Core Skills are being developed.
Free, CA2801/2, August 2006

Guidance on Graded Units (376 KB)
Using the design principles for Higher National Certificates and Diplomas 
Graded Units are a means of ensuring that candidates have achieved the principal aims of a Higher National Certificate or Diploma (HNC/D).  These guidelines are aimed at extending good practice to all HNC/Ds.
Free, CA2800, February 2007

Guide to Assessment (467 KB)
This Guide provides support for everyone involved in assessment.  It gives an overview of the different purposes and principles of assessment. The Guide also contains information sheets on each of the most common assessment instruments and outlines the processes for assessing SQA Units and Courses. A glossary of assessment terminology is provided as well as a reference section of publications and websites.
Free, AA4147, June 2008

Guide to Validation for Validation Panel Members and Qualification Design Teams (606 KB) 
Using the design principles for Higher National Certificates and Diplomas 
These guidelines apply where the validation process is being managed by SQA, or where the centre involved does not have devolved responsibility for the validation of SQA qualifications.  Centres with devolved responsibility may also use these guidelines, or they may use guidelines of their own.
Free, CA2972, February 2007

Higher National publications by subject area

For subject-specific Higher National Assessments, see the Higher National Assessments section.

Business and Administration

Higher National Qualification Handbook: HNC and HND in Business Administration
Ringbinder containing information for those delivering HNC/D in colleges, including advice on scheduling, integrating assessments and Unit equivalencies between the old and new frameworks.  The pack also includes copies of all the Core Unit specifications.
£70.00, C071, July 1997

Communication and Media

Higher National Qualifications in Radio and Broadcasting
Leaflet with information about the HNC in Radio Broadcasting and the HNC and HND in Television Operations and Production.
Free, C0995, July 2000

To order any of the publications listed, contact SQA's Business Development & Customer Support Team quoting the publication code (unless otherwise indicated) or print, complete and return our Order Form (414 KB).  You can order any of our publications by credit card, Delta or by Switch.

Business Development & Customer Support Team
Scottish Qualifications Authority
The Optima Building
58 Robertson Street
Glasgow
G2 8DQ

Tel: 0303 333 0330
Fax: 0845 213 5000
E-mail: mycentre@sqa.org.uk

We accept payment with the following cards:

LOGO: Visa Mastercard Delta and Switch cards.

Publications Feedback

We are very keen to receive your views on how useful SQA's publications are to you in offering our qualifications. If you have comments on a document, or more general points about our publications, please note them down on our Publication Feedback form.