Alternative venues 2025

Centres can request alternative exam venues for learners who can’t attend their usual centre on the day of the exam. This is done through our Alternative Venues Service that handles requests for alternative venues within Scotland, and a smaller number of requests for learners who are outside Scotland at the time of the exam.

These may be learners who have completed the course and have moved overseas, learners representing their country in a national team at a major sporting event, or learners attending an event that is crucial for their academic or career progression.

Updated alternative venues guidance for the 2025 exams is now available on the SQA Secure website. The service will open on Monday 21 October.

The integrity and security of exams is paramount, and the requirements of the process are, therefore, significant. To support this process, we’ve introduced new criteria and checklists, and updated risk assessment guidance. This guidance is designed to help you ensure your decisions are fair and to support both learners and invigilators.

To request an alternative venue, whether inside or outside Scotland, you must complete the new Alternative Venues MS Form which will be available on the SQA Secure website from Monday 21 October. This form simplifies the process by ensuring all necessary information is included and by guiding you through the required steps. The deadline for submission is 12 March 2025.

If you have any questions, please email alternative.venues@sqa.org.uk.