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Overview of Qualifications for National 1 and National 2

Deciding which national qualifications to develop

The publication of this Overview is one of several steps in SQA’s process of developing new National Qualifications to support Curriculum for Excellence.

The Overview of Qualifications publications outline the list of subjects that fall within each curriculum area.

The list includes the names of the subjects and the levels at which qualifications will be developed. For example, Physics, Biology, and Chemistry, at all their examining levels, would fall within the sciences curriculum area.

The publication also gives details of the scope of the curriculum area, skills, progression, and learning and teaching approaches. Qualifications will be developed in line with the broad vision set out in the Overview publication.

How the list of Courses has been decided

The decision on which subjects to include has been taken following extensive research and targeted engagement with a wide range of stakeholders.

Uptake levels for each existing subject have been considered, as well as the level and location at which the qualification is commonly studied. The list may include new subjects and some subjects may be rationalised or consolidated into a general Course.

The Overview of Qualifications publication has been informed by the Progress Report for National 1 and National 2.

The Progress Reports summarise the findings and conclusions of SQA’s research and engagement with stakeholders and give recommendations on the scope, skills and issues within each curriculum area.

Next steps

Our Qualifications Design Teams (QDTs) will take forward the recommendations into the design of qualifications for each subject listed in the Overview publication. The QDTs are working on the design of the qualifications within individual subjects.

A feedback facility is available on our website for you to give your thoughts and comments on the development. To keep up-to-date with the latest Curriculum for Excellence news and reports, you can sign up for MyAlerts which provides notification of updates to our web pages at www.sqa.org.uk/HaveYourSay.

Read the Overview

The information in this document covers all Courses and Awards at National 1 and National 2 in these curriculum areas:

expressive arts
health and wellbeing
languages
mathematics
religious and moral education
sciences
social studies
technologies

Read the Overview Report: National 1 and National 2 qualifications (244 KB) - please note this document still refers to Access.

Key Points

The new National qualifications follow the design principles agreed by the Curriculum for Excellence Management Board and SQA’s Qualifications Committee.
Supported and Independent Units at National 1 will continue to provide a range of Units for learners who require varying degrees of support.
Courses draw from the principles and practices paper(s) for the related curriculum areas and, where appropriate, encourage an interdisciplinary approach to learning.
The combination of Courses, Awards and Units at National 1 and National 2 offers opportunities for personalisation and choice.
Courses at National 2 will provide a basis for developing generic skills for learning, life and work as well as providing a basis for development of skills across a range of contexts.
The use of optional Units in Courses at National 2 provides flexibility and will facilitate choice, lateral progression within National 2, and progression to National 3.
New Personal Achievement Awards will be introduced at National 1 and National 2 to recognise significant learner achievement.

We still need your feedback. You can comment on the Overview report by using our feedback form at ‘have your say’.