Validating Units
Validation is the quality assurance process SQA uses to ensure all new and revised qualifications are valid, credible and fit for purpose.
With the exception of Graded Units, all other Units making up a Group Award are validated through a series of quality checks prior to the validation of the Group Award. Graded Units relate to the principal aims of the Group Award so their validation is addressed as part of the Group Award validation.
Graded Units
Once the Units have been successfully validated or are in final draft stage, you should begin to develop the Graded Unit(s) for the Group Award. The purpose of Graded Units is to:
- demonstrate that the candidate has achieved the principal aims of the Group Award
- demonstrate the candidate’s ability to integrate the knowledge and understanding gained from other Units making up the Group Award
- grade candidate performance
Graded Units are specific to the Group Award, and reflect the principal aims of that Group Award. This means that they will also clearly reflect the uniqueness of the title of the Group Award.
Graded Units are validated at the same time as the Group Award.
Graded Units can be validated as part of HNC/HNDs by centres with devolved authority for validating SQA Group Awards.