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What is SCQF credit rating?

For qualifications or learning programmes to be included in the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF), they must have their SCQF credit rating and level formally confirmed. SQA is a recognised Credit Rating Body for this purpose.

Your organisation can now apply to SQA Credit Rating Service to have your qualifications and learning programmes credit rated.

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What is the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF)?

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) is designed to help both employers and learners understand and compare the range of qualifications and how they relate to each other.

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How can SCQF credit rating benefit your organisation?

Organisations which are successful in having their qualifications or learning programmes credit rated can expect the following benefits:

  • The qualifications or learning programmes are included in the SCQF.
  • Relationships between qualifications will be clarified.
  • Your learners will be able to make the most of credit transfer opportunities.
  • It will be easier to identify progression routes between qualifications or learning programmes.
  • It will help your learners to plan their progress and learning.
  • Your learners achievements will be included in the SCQF.
  • Your learners will be able to compare their achievements with other nationally recognised qualifications that have been credit rated.
  • You will be contributing to the lifelong learning agenda.
  • You will be able to use the SCQF logo on the qualification/learning programme certificate and the SQA name as the Credit Rating Body in any promotional material.

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What programmes have been credit rated?

The qualifications/learning programmes which have been successfully credit rated by SQA are categorised under the following areas.

Please follow the appropriate link for further information of the credit rated qualifications/learning programmes and the organisations that have developed them.

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What makes my organisation eligible to apply for SCQF credit rating?

Credit rating is open to all organisations who have developed their own learning programmes and qualifications and who would like to see the qualifications or learning programmes included in the SCQF.

To apply for SCQF credit rating, your qualifications or learning programmes must meet these four broad SCQF criteria:

  • The qualifications or learning programmes must be based on learning outcomes.
  • The outcomes must be formally assessed, and the results must be recorded.
  • There must be a documented process of external quality assurance for the assessment of the learning programmes.
  • The learning in the qualifications/learning programmes must have, as a minimum, a notional 10 hours of learning time for the average candidate

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What can your organisation expect from SQA's Credit Rating Service during the credit rating process?

Once you apply to have your qualifications or learning programmes credit rated you will be allocated a dedicated member of staff from our experienced team who will be on hand to provide advice. This member of staff will progress your submission through to presentation to the Credit Rating Decision Group for consideration.

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What does the process involve?

In response to your Credit Rating Service enquiry, SQA will provide an application pack, including:

  • Form CR1 – Credit Rating Submission Form – Organisation Information
  • Form CR2 – Credit Rating Submission Form – Programme Information
  • Guide for Submitting Bodies
  • SCQF Handbook Credit Rating Guidelines
  • Scorecard
  • SQA SCQF Postcard

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On receipt of your completed application, a Credit Rating Officer (CRO) will be allocated who will undertake an initial scrutiny of your submission to ascertain that the four key requirements have been met.

Your completed application should include the CR1, CR2, scorecard and any additional appendices.

The outcome of the scrutiny will determine the next step.

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If your submission is ready to progress, subject experts will be appointed to evaluate the Credit and level you have allocated to your submission.

Credit Raters and Vetters are experts in the subject field of the submitted qualification/ learning programme who can demonstrate ‘Continued Professional Development’ and have knowledge of the SCQF.

If there is still outstanding information or further clarification required, the CRO will liaise with the submitting organisation to obtain this.

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On completion of the evaluation your CRO will present your submission to the Credit Rating Decision Group who will make a decision on the outcome.

The members of this group will ensure that due process has been followed in reaching the final decision.

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You will receive notification of the decision and the associated documentation.

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Frequently asked questions

Will SQA quality assure our qualification/learning programme?

No, SQA will not quality assure the qualification/learning programme once it has been credit rated.

Can a new qualification/learning programme be credit rated?

Organisations can submit an existing qualification/learning programme which learners have already taken part in, or a programme which has yet to run.

Learners in our qualification/learning programme do not sit a final exam, can this still be credit rated?

The way in which a qualification/learning programme is assessed does not affect the submission and as long as the outcomes are formally assessed, and the results recorded then it can be considered for credit rating.

Is there a charge for this service?

As this is a commercial service there is charge. For further details please contact SQA’s Credit Rating Service.

What type of credit does this process refer to?

This will result in general credit and not specific credit being allocated.

Does completing this process mean that we have been accredited?

SCQF Credit Rating will not result in accreditation or validation by SQA. SQA is the credit rating body.

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Case studies

For some examples of how and why some of the organisation's who have used the Credit Rating Service applied for credit rating please click on the links below:

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How do I find out more?

If you would like to find out more about how your organisation's qualifications or learning programmes can be credit rated, further information can be found in our guide:

Alternatively, please contact us using the details below, or fill out our Enquiry Pack Request Form.

  • Telephone: 0845 213 5246
     
  • E-mail: creditratingservice@sqa.org.uk

    Or write to:
     
  • Credit Rating Service
    SQA
    Floor 4
    The Optima Building
    58 Robertson Street
    Glasgow
    G2 8DQ

If you would like to find out more about SCQF, please visit the SCQF website: www.scqf.org.uk GRAPHIC: Web Link icon - clicking on this link will open a new window. where you can download a guide to the Framework and other useful documents.

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