Scottish Studies Award SCQF level 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6

The Scottish Studies Award provides opportunities for learners to develop their knowledge and understanding of Scotland - its people, languages (such as Scots and Gaelic), society, culture, natural environment and heritage - and to make connections across the curriculum.

The Award also provides recognition for learners who choose to make these connections by studying aspects of three subject areas in a Scottish context.

The Scottish Studies Award is available at SCQF levels 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. The Award has a broad and flexible framework, providing scope for personalisation and choice, which reflects the range of subject areas that can be studied in a Scottish context.

The Award may interest learners living and studying in Scotland, as it provides opportunities to broaden their understanding and appreciation of the society in which they live. This, in turn, may provide opportunities for learners to reflect on, and build, their own sense of identity as residents of Scotland and the wider world.

UCAS Points

The Scottish Studies Award at SCQF level 6 attracts 21 UCAS points.

Assessment Support Packs for optional Scottish context units

Assessment Support Packs have not been produced for the optional Scottish context units but you may find the ASPs produced for the non-Scottish context units helpful. These can be found on the subject webpage (eg English, Modern Studies, etc) and can be adapted for the Scottish context.

Who does this qualification suit

The Award may appeal to a wide range of learners who wish to broaden their understanding of Scotland, including:

  • S3 - S6 pupils in secondary schools
  • students in Further Education establishments
  • adult learners

Progression

The Scottish Studies Award may provide progression to further study:

  • in Scottish Studies at the next SCQF level
  • a variety of Courses, Awards or Units at the next SCQF level, depending on the specific subject areas that have been studied as part of the Award
  • other Awards, Courses or Units at the same SCQF level

It could also lead to vocational training or employment in a variety of sectors including tourism, hospitality and the creative, cultural and heritage industries.

Approval

Centres with devolved authority are eligible to seek approval through their own internal approval process.

Centres without devolved authority will have to come forward for approval and should contact the Business Development Team for guidance in completing the combined Qualification Approval Application.

Guidance on applying for approval and entering candidates for the Scottish Studies Award can be viewed in the document below.

Approval and Entry guidance

Where can you take this course?

Qualification content and delivery tools

Information about the qualification(s)

Update Letters

Award Specifications

The following Award Specifications are being updated.

  • Scottish Studies Award level 5 Specification (Gaelic Medium)
  • Scottish Studies Award level 6 Specification (Gaelic Medium)

Information about delivery, assessment, quality assurance and support material

Qualification Verification Summary Reports

Unit Specifications

The following unit specifications are for units in a Scottish context. Other units in the Scottish Studies frameworks can be found using the NQ Unit Search.

N2

Business in Practice: Taking Part in a Business Enterprise with a Scottish Context
Creative Arts: Creating Materials for Display with a Scottish Context
Creative Arts: Developing Skills in Creative Arts with a Scottish Context
Creative Arts: Working with Images, Graphics and Sound with a Scottish Context
Creative Arts: Working with Textiles with a Scottish Context
English and Communication: Creating Texts with a Scottish Context
English and Communication: Listening and Talking with a Scottish Context
English and Communication: Understanding Language with a Scottish Context
Learning About Scotland
Performance Arts: Contributing to a Performance with a Scottish Context
Social Subjects: Making a Contrast with a Scottish Context
Social Subjects: Making a Decision with a Scottish Context
Social Subjects: Organising and Communicating Information with a Scottish Context

N3

Art and Design: Design Activity with a Scottish Context
Art and Design: Expressive Activity with a Scottish Context
Business In Action with a Scottish Context
Drama: Production Skills with a Scottish Context 
Drama Skills with a Scottish Context
English: Producing Language with a Scottish Context
English: Understanding Language with a Scottish Context
Environmental Science: Earth's Resources with a Scottish Context
Environmental Science: Sustainability with a Scottish Context
Health and Food Technology: Contemporary Food Issues with a Scottish Context
Investigating Religion and Belief with a Scottish Context
Media: Analysing Media Content with a Scottish Context
Media: Creating Media Content with a Scottish Context
Music: Composing Skills with a Scottish Context
Music: Performing Skills with a Scottish Context
Modern Studies: Social Issues in the United Kingdom with a Scottish Context
People and Society: Comparing and Contrasting with a Scottish Context
People and Society: Investigating Skills with a Scottish Context
People and Society: Making Decisions with a Scottish Context
Physical Environments with a Scottish Context
Scottish Studies: Scotland in Focus
Scottish Studies: Scotland in Focus (Gaelic translation)
Understanding Music with a Scottish Context 

N4

Art and Design: Design Activity with a Scottish Context
Art and Design: Expressive Activity with a Scottish Context
Business in Action with a Scottish Context
Creative Digital Media: Introduction to the Industry - Scotland
Creative Industries: Basics - Scotland
Drama: Production Skills with a Scottish Context 
Drama Skills with a Scottish Context
Engineering Contexts and Challenges with a Scottish Context
English: Analysis and Evaluation with a Scottish Context
English: Creation and Production with a Scottish Context
Environmental Science: Earth's Resources with a Scottish Context
Environmental Science: Sustainability with a Scottish Context
Geography: Physical Environments with a Scottish Context
Health and Food Technology: Contemporary Food Issues with a Scottish Context (53 KB)
Health Sector: An Introduction - Scotland
Hospitality: Working in the Hospitality Industry - Scotland
Media: Analysing Media Content with a Scottish Context
Media: Creating Media Content with a Scottish Context
Modern Studies: Social Issues in the United Kingdom with a Scottish Context
Music: Composing Skills with a Scottish Context
Music: Performing Skills with a Scottish Context
People and Society: Comparing and Contrasting with a Scottish Context
People and Society: Investigating Skills with a Scottish Context
People and Society: Making Decisions with a Scottish Context
Religion: Belief and Values Investigating Religion and Belief with a Scottish Context
Rural Environment: An Introduction - Scotland
Rural Species Identification and Habitats - Scotland
Scottish Studies: Scotland in Focus
Scottish Studies: Scotland in Focus (Gaelic translation)
Understanding Music with a Scottish Context 
Uniformed and Emergency Services: An Introduction - Scotland

N5

Art and Design: Design Activity with a Scottish Context
Art and Design: Expressive Activity with a Scottish Context 
Creative Industries: An Introduction - Scotland
Dance: Technical Skills with a Scottish Context
Drama: Production Skills with a Scottish Context 
Health Sector: Working in the Health Sector - Scotland
Engineering Contexts and Challenges with a Scottish Context
English: Creation and Production with a Scottish Context
English: Analysis and Evaluation with a Scottish Context
Environmental Science: Earth's Resources with a Scottish Context
Environmental Science: Sustainability with a Scottish Context
Financial Services: Introduction - Scotland
Geography: Physical Environments with a Scottish Context
Health and Food Technology: Contemporary Food Issues with a Scottish Context
Media: Analysing Media Content with a Scottish Context
Media: Creating Media Content with a Scottish Context
Music: Composing Skills with a Scottish Context
Music: Performing Skills with a Scottish Context
Modern Studies: Social Issues in the United Kingdom with a Scottish Context
Philosophy: Knowledge and Doubt with a Scottish Context
Religion Belief and Values: Investigating Religion and Belief with a Scottish Context
Rural Business Investigation with a Scottish Context
Scottish Studies: Scotland in Focus
Scottish Studies: Scotland in Focus (Gaelic translation)
Sociology: Social Issues with a Scottish Context
Travel and Tourism: British Isles Tourist Destinations with a Scottish Context
Understanding Business with a Scottish Context
Understanding Music with a Scottish Context 

Higher

Art and Design: Design Activity with a Scottish Context 
Art and Design: Expressive Activity with a Scottish Context
Business Management: Understanding Business with a Scottish Context
Dance: Technical Skills with a Scottish Context
Drama: Production Skills with a Scottish Context 
Engineering Contexts and Challenges with a Scottish Context
English: Creation and Production with a Scottish Context
English: Analysis and Evaluation with a Scottish Context
Environmental Science: Earth's Resources with a Scottish Context
Environmental Science: Sustainability with a Scottish Context
Geography: Physical Environments with a Scottish Context
Health and Food Technology: Contemporary Food Issues with a Scottish Context
Media: Analysing Media Content with a Scottish Context
Media: Creating Media Content with a Scottish Context
Modern Studies: Social Issues in the United Kingdom with a Scottish Context
Music: Composing Skills with a Scottish Context
Music: Performing Skills with a Scottish Context
Philosophy: Knowledge and Doubt with a Scottish Context
Religion Belief and Values: Investigating Religion and Belief with a Scottish Context
Scottish Studies: Scotland in Focus
Sociology: Social Issues with a Scottish Context
Understanding Music with a Scottish Context 

Award and Unit Support Notes

Resources available

Centre Starter Packs

Award Support

Unit Support

Understanding Standards

  • Webinar recording - this webinar can be found on SQA Secure (access through your SQA Coordinator).

Examples of candidate evidence and commentaries for unit assessment can be found on SQA Secure (access through your SQA Coordinator).

Changes to published Understanding Standards materials

Scottish Studies and Scots Language blog

Visit our Scottish Studies and Scots Language blog

Keep up to date with issues, developments and events relating to the Scottish Studies and Scots Language Award

Case studies

Craigie High School

Crieff High School

Dalkeith High School

Forfar Academy

Grange Academy

Materials from Support Network Events