Validating Units

Validation is the process by which SQA ensures that all new, revised or amended qualifications are valid, credible and fit for purpose. Validation is carried out by an SQA officer supported by stakeholder consultation, or by a formal validation meeting, or by a combination of these methods. Once the Units have been validated they will receive a Superclass 2 code and will be given a product code and entered onto the SQA database.

Once your Units have been written and internally checked and are considered complete, they should be forwarded electronically with a DAVAL 4 form (see SQA Form 4). If embedded Core Skills are to be assessed in the Unit, it will undergo a Core Skills audit prior to validation. You should allow extra time for this process.

Note: SQA officers welcome the opportunity to provide advice and comment on the Units as they are being developed/revised. You are likely to have your draft Unit returned with comments for amendments, so it is helpful if a version number is indicated in draft Units.

Request to have a Unit validated: overview of process

Once a Unit has been written by a centre, it has to be validated by SQA. The Unit specification should be sent electronically to SQA.

Centre informs SQA of the development using DA/HN/P2 and Unit Outline for each Unit

Unit is written, edited and peer reviewed within the college

Centre completes a DAVAL4 form requesting that the Unit is validated including suggested SCQF level and credit points

Centre sends Unit specification with form electronically to SQA

Proposal will be logged and Business Manager will arrange for Qualifications Manager to validate and level and credit rate the Unit. Any edits required will be referred to the originating centre

Any Core Skillls audit will be done

Unit is validated by SQA

Unit is entered on SQA's APS system

SQA informs centre validation process is complete

< Previous Page

Contents Page

Next Page >

You are in: Higher National