FOI25/26 091 Information regarding Current Code of Ethics, Conduct & Behaviour Expected of Students

Date published: 26/11/2025

FOI reference: 25/26 091

Date received: 22/08/2025

Date responded: 09/09/2025

Information requested

I am making a request under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002. Please provide:

The current code of ethics, conduct, or behaviour expected of students enrolled at SQA-accredited centres (including any generic expectations that apply across disciplines).
Any policies or guidance SQA issues to accredited centres regarding the handling of allegations of dishonesty or fraud by students against members of the public.
The complaints or disciplinary process SQA follows when concerns are raised about the conduct of students at accredited centres.
For SQA-accredited performing arts schools specifically, please provide any policies, codes of conduct, or expectations relating to:

Professional behaviour and ethics in training environments.
Student discipline and the process expected to be followed where allegations of misconduct arise.

Any policies or guidance covering instances of drug misuse on educational premises at accredited centres, including:

How such incidents should be reported by staff or students.
What disciplinary processes SQA expects accredited centres to follow in response.
Whether there is any requirement for referral to external bodies (e.g. Police Scotland).

Response

SQA typically do not impose requirements on learner behaviour unless it directly relates to assessment. The key document outlining our expectations is the Malpractice Information for Centres (attached), with Section B3 on candidate malpractice being particularly relevant.

Please find specific responses to each of your questions below.

The current code of ethics, conduct, or behaviour expected of students enrolled at SQA-accredited centres (including any generic expectations that apply across disciplines).

There is no learner code of conduct or ethics required by SQA. SQA approved centres may have their own policy and process in relation to this. SQA will consider candidate malpractice in certain circumstances, please see section BS of the Malpractice Information for Centres document for detailed information.

Any policies or guidance SQA issues to accredited centres regarding the handling of allegations of dishonesty or fraud by students against members of the public.

Any allegations of dishonesty or fraud by a learner, unless mentioned in B3 of the Malpractice Information for Centres document, would be dealt with by the centres and/or any other appropriate authorities. Where such incidents may impact the centre's reputation, and/or SQAs, SQA approved centres are required to inform SQA. Any actions which may arise from this would be an action on the centre and not the learner.

The complaints or disciplinary process SQA follows when concerns are raised about the conduct of students at accredited centres.

The process for dealing with candidate malpractice is laid out in section B4 of the Malpractice Information for Centres document. Additionally, there is an opportunity for learners to raise complaints with SQA, only when they have exhausted the centre's own complaints process. The complaint could relate to another leaners behaviour but would have to relate to assessment for SQA to consider this.

For SQA-accredited performing arts schools specifically, please provide any policies, codes of conduct, or expectations relating to:

Professional behaviour and ethics in training environments.
Student discipline and the process expected to be followed where allegations of misconduct arise.

SQA approved centres are required to adhere to criteria laid out in the Guide to Systems and Qualification Approval for Centres (see criterion 1.5, malpractice procedures, under systems approval and criterion 4.4 under qualification approval)

Systems Verification Criteria Guidance for Centres (again, see criteria 1.5 and 4.4)
Systems Approval and Verification Support Materials (see guidance on writing malpractice materials)

Student discipline out with that already outlined in previous responses would be a matter for the centre to deal with.

Any policies or guidance covering instances of drug misuse on educational premises at accredited centres, including:

How such incidents should be reported by staff or students.

SQA does not publish guidance on the misuse of drugs in centres, however, where such incidents may impact the centre's reputation, and/or SQAs, SQA approved centres are required to inform SQA. Any actions which may arise from this would be action on the centre and not the learner.

What disciplinary processes SQA expects accredited centres to follow in response.

Where actions have not impacted assessment, any disciplinary action would be made by the centre, if appropriate. Please see section B3 of the Candidate Malpractice Information for Centres for actions that would be considered as candidate malpractice.

Whether there is any requirement for referral to external bodies (e.g. Police Scotland).

SQA does not require centres to refer this to any other external body.