SQA Higher National qualifications - serving Scotland for 100 years

The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) today celebrates the centenary of Higher Nationals – qualifications that have consistently served Scotland well – equipping learners with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in the workplace, helping employers meet industry needs, and together, contributing to Scotland’s economy and society.

In 1925, 24 awards were made available under Scotland’s new National Certificate scheme, laying the foundation for something far more enduring than anyone could have predicted.

In 2025, there are 1,807 Higher National qualifications – Certificates and Diplomas (HNCs and HNDs) available. Over the last 100 years, these qualifications have changed names, formats, and mediums, but their core purpose has remained the same.

Donna Stewart, Chief Examiner and Director of Qualifications Development at SQA, said, 'As we celebrate 100 years of Higher National qualifications, it's remarkable to reflect on their enduring impact on Scotland's workforce. From the first 24 National Certificates in 1925 to today's diverse range of HNCs and HNDs, these qualifications have consistently evolved to meet the changing needs of industry while equipping learners with the practical skills they need to succeed in the workplace.

'What makes this centenary special is how Higher National qualifications have never stood still. They are constantly adapting to meet workplace demands whilst embedding essential skills such as problem-solving and innovation. This ability to evolve has made HNCs and HNDs valuable to learners, employers, and Scotland's economy for 100 years, and will ensure they remain relevant for the next century.'

Qualifications to address skill shortages

The earliest HN qualifications, or National Certificates as they were then known, came after an urgent investigation by a post-World War 1 committee into the industrial training and technical education of young people in industry. This led to the introduction of National Certificates in Mechanical Engineering and Chemistry in 1925, new technical qualifications designed to address a shortage in engineering expertise.

Qualifications were predominantly earned by those attending a few night classes a week after a day of working a full-time job. Despite initial scepticism from some employers, the credibility of these awards steadily grew, especially as professional bodies began to recognise their value. Other subjects were gradually introduced, with the Electrical Engineering HNC and Plumbing appearing for the first time in 1930, and Mining Surveying in the 1950s.

From the darkroom to digital

Fast forward to 2025, and the diversity of HNC and HND subjects offered is huge. From Accounting and Forestry to Social Care and Civil Engineering, today's qualifications are designed in collaboration with colleges, universities and industry to reflect industry demands.

For example, Television Production has evolved dramatically since the 1980’s. Back then, learners were taught how to operate heavy cameras, edit tape-to-tape, and physically distribute content by post. Today’s learners master digital techniques, create content for online streaming platforms, and develop skills that combine creativity, storytelling, and technical expertise. Equipment once reserved for studios is now accessible on smartphones, yet professional training remains vital.

When the first Photography courses launched in the 1970s, the medium still relied heavily on film. Students had to master the darkroom - a complicated combination of chemicals, enlargers, and timed exposures.

Today, the darkroom is more likely to be a computer screen than a tray of developer fluid. Modern HNC and HND Photography students are trained on DSLRs, mirrorless cameras, and editing software like Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop.

The transformation hasn't stopped at technology. The rise of freelancing and content creation has changed how photographers build careers. Where once photography graduates might have aimed for positions in newspapers or studios, today’s learners are more likely to start their own business or work as self-employed creatives. In response, Higher National qualifications now include business modules, covering everything from branding and marketing to tax returns and contracts.

Gail English, Qualifications Manager at SQA, commented, 'Everybody has a camera in their pocket now. HN learners are now developing skills in how to make those images and videos stand out—how to understand light, composition, sound, and storytelling, and then use that to build a career.'

NextGen: Skills for the Future

While the past century has seen HNs evolve to meet the needs of industry, the future looks even more dynamic, with the next generation of HN qualifications (NextGen: HN).

NextGen: HN qualifications now include meta-skills: broad, transferable abilities like problem-solving, collaboration, innovation, and emotional intelligence. The aim is to develop not just competent workers, but adaptable and future-ready professionals.

In an era when technology changes faster than ever, and the job market continues to evolve, the value of a practical, respected and career-focused qualification like an HNC or HND remains clear. Whether you're starting a business, changing career, or looking to upskill, HNs offer flexibility, progression routes, and strong employer recognition. They can also have pathways directly into the second or third year of university degree programmes.

One hundred years on, the goal is still the same: to give learners the skills they need to succeed. Whether it’s in front of the camera or behind a screen, on a factory floor or running your own business, Higher National qualifications have helped generations of learners find their way.

With NextGen: HN paving the path ahead, the next 100 years look to continue that legacy, evolving with the times, responding to new industries, and empowering learners across Scotland and beyond to thrive in whatever future they choose to build.

Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth commented, 'Scotland's Higher National qualifications have had a key role to play in our education system, and their continued demand over the past 100 years demonstrates their evolution and continued importance in today's classrooms and learning environments.

'People in Scotland - parents and carers, employers and our universities and colleges - understand the benchmark of a Higher National qualification. It is a testament to the Higher National qualifications that they remain as relevant and important today, as they did at inception over a century ago.'