Archive News

• Modern Apprenticeships give young learners lifelong edge

• SQA reflects on another year of giving back to communities

  We have published our Responsible Business Annual Review, celebrating the many ways our colleagues have delivered for communities during the organisation’s final year.

• Cumbernauld training provider offers insights into positive progression pathways

  SQA Interim Chief Executive John Booth met with Competence Matters Ltd - a Cumbernauld-based training provider in the construction industry - to get an insight into the issues and opportunities facing the sector.

• Achievements of Scotland's college sector celebrated at 2025 CDN College Awards

  The College Development Network (CDN) College Awards took place on Thursday 4 December, recognising the talent, skills and achievements of colleges, their staff and their learners.

• SQA statement on publication of the Report of the Independent Review of Qualifications and Assessment (Hayward Review) and the update on Education Reform legislation

  Statement on publication Hayward Review from David Middleton, Chair of the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).

• New esports qualification opens the door to a billion-pound industry for Scottish students

  New esports qualification opens the door to a billion-pound industry for Scottish students

• SQA publishes estimates and appeals data for 2023

  SQA has published national qualification appeals outcomes, and an analysis of the relationship between estimates and results awarded in August.2023

• SQA's internationally recognised qualifications benefit global learners

  SQA is one of the sponsors at the Going Global conference in Edinburgh this week.

• New board members appointed to Qualifications Scotland

  Scottish Government announces the chair and members of the Qualifications Scotland Board.

• SQA announces changes to 2026 National Qualifications exam timetable

  SQA has announced small changes to the 2026 exam timetable.

• Action to support history teachers

  SQA, the Scottish Government and the Scottish Association of Teachers of History (SATH) met today to discuss the results of a survey of history teachers.

• Qualifications Scotland ready to start work

  Scotland's new qualifications body starts work on 2 December with a promise to put learners and educators at the heart of decision-making.

• SQA publishes Assessment Arrangement insights for 2025 National Qualifications

  Data published today (11/11/25) shows significant growth in the number of learners requesting Assessment Arrangements for National Qualifications.

• SQA publishes research on marker experiences and sets out action plan for improvement

  SQA publishes research into the experiences of National Qualifications markers.

• SQA Higher National qualifications - serving Scotland for 100 years

  The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) is celebrating the centenary of Higher National Qualifications.

• Buzzing with opportunity: Beekeeping qualification at Baldragon Academy

  At Baldragon Academy in Dundee, the National Progression Award (NPA) in Beekeeping at SCQF Level 5 is providing pupils with practical experience, scientific knowledge, and transferable life skills.

• New SQA research reveals complex attitudes towards AI among Scottish learners

  SQA has published new research revealing nuanced attitudes that challenge assumptions about young people's relationship with AI technology..

• SQA welcomes delegates to Scottish Training Federation conference

  SQA hosted the Scottish Training Federation's annual conference at its offices in Glasgow.

• Scottish qualifications recognised in Indian education system

  SQA Advanced qualifications are now benchmarked against Indian National Skills Qualification Framework.

• SQA publishes National Qualifications Course Reports for 2024-25

  From today (Thursday 11 September), SQA will start publishing its 2025 National Qualifications course reports.

• Dunbar Grammar pupils brew up career opportunities with SQA Barista Skills qualification

  Pupils at Dunbar Grammar School are learning to steam milk, serve customers, and manage a coffee shop — all as part of a hands-on qualification that’s preparing them for life beyond the classroom.

• SQA shares three years of supporting care experienced learners

  SQA has published its Corporate Parenting Report 2022–25, showing how we have supported care experienced people over the past three years.

• Advisory Council meeting - everyone welcome!

  Are you interested in the values that'll shape our new national qualifications body, Qualifications Scotland?

• SQA Chief Executive all set for start of new session

  SQA Chief Executive, Nick Page, welcomed teachers and lecturers to the new session, and reaffirmed SQA's commitment to working with the education and skills community to support Scotland's learners.

• SQA Hosts Chinese Delegation for Educational and Cultural Exchange

  More than sixty teachers and students visited SQA’s offices in Glasgow with a view to strengthening international collaboration and foster cultural exchange and celebrate the success of a partnership that has now been running for over 20 years.

• Foundation Apprenticeships set learners on the road to success

  Two former Foundation Apprentices from Dumfries have said that the skills they developed and experiences they have gained as part of their course have put them on the path to success.

• Castlemilk High School pupils gain hands-on experience with Rural Skills course

  Pupils at Castlemilk High School are developing practical, hands-on experience in horticulture, landscaping and food production.

• Apprenticeships offer fast track to career success

  Young people receiving qualification results this summer are being encouraged to consider apprenticeships as a valuable alternative to university, offering hands-on experience, formal qualifications and a wage from day one.

• Celebrating the achievements of care experienced learners

  Care experienced young people are among the tens of thousands of learners across Scotland who today received their results from SQA. This includes young people who are currently, or have previously been in any form of care, including foster care, residential care, and kinship care.

• Results Day: 2025 marks 'landmark year' of achievement by Scotland's learners

  Around 147,000 learners across Scotland will receive their results today - and their hard work has made 2025 a ‘landmark year’ of achievement and success for them.

• Storm Floris: Delays to SQA Results postal deliveries

  Due to the widespread disruption caused by Storm Floris, Royal Mail has confirmed that there will be delays to the delivery of SQA results in several parts of Scotland. In particular, we know deliveries to the Outer Hebrides, Orkney, and Shetland will be delayed due to the adverse weather. Further localised delays to deliveries may occur at short notice.

• Support and information for young people ahead of SQA Results Day

  Find out more about the support and guidance available to young people across Scotland awaiting their SQA results on Tuesday 5 August.

• New Board members sought for Qualifications Scotland

  Recruitment of Board members for Qualifications Scotland.

• New SQA Chief Executive's 100-day pledge to drive change

  New SQA Chief Executive Nick Page today (7 July) launched his leadership by announcing key actions for the next 100 days to fast-track change for learners and educators across Scotland.

• Nick Page appointed Chief Executive of Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA)

  CEO brings ‘classroom to boardroom’ experience and track record of transformation and delivery

• SQA congratulates former Director Dr. Gill Stewart on OBE Honour

  SQA's offers its warmest congratulations to our former Director of Qualifications Development, Dr. Gill Stewart, who has been named an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the King's Birthday Honours list.. 

• SQA publishes new guidance on use of Artificial Intelligence in qualifications assessment

  SQA has published guidance on acceptable use of GenAI tools in assessments for the 2025-26 session. 

• SQA exams begin for 132,000 learners across Scotland

  SQA exams begin this week for tens of thousands of learners across Scotland, who will sit assessments for National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher courses.

• Malaysia recognises SQA qualifications

  SQA announces that ten of its industry-leading Advanced Diploma qualifications have been recognised by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency.

• New report highlights strong foundations in place to put learners at heart of Qualifications Scotland

  The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) has published its first Consumer Duty Report detailing its work to put learners, schools, colleges and customers at the heart of its decision-making.

• SQA rebalancing assessment for practical qualifications

  The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) has announced that it is removing exams from three of its National Qualifications ahead of session 2025-26.

• SQA appoints headteacher as Senior Advisor to strengthen support for Scotland's schools

  The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) has appointed experienced headteacher Sarah Brown as Senior Advisor.

• Scotland's new Chief Examiner returns to Dunfermline high school

• Modern Apprenticeship opportunities with SQA

  Find out more about Modern Apprenticeship opportunities at SQA.

• SQA announces new interim leadership structure

  The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) today announced a new interim leadership structure.

• Announcement regarding Scotland's Chief Examiner

  Scotland’s Chief Examiner and Chief Executive of SQA is moving on from her current role to pursue new opportunities.

• SQA focus groups reveal Scottish educators' attitudes towards GenAI

  SQA publishes the latest phase of its research on teachers' views of GenAI in education.

• SQA announces changes to exam timetable 2025

  SQA announces changes to the 2025 exam timetable for National 5, Higher, and Advanced Higher qualifications.

• New steps to promote anti-racism through qualifications

  SQA confirms changes to the language used in its documentation to promote anti-racism through education. 

• SQA seeks experienced head teacher for new senior role

  SQA is looking for experienced secondary head teacher to join it in a new senior advisory role.

• Scottish set text list for English courses updated to include more modern and diverse works

  The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) has published its new list of Scottish set texts for National 5 and Higher English courses for implementation from session 2025-26. This follows an extensive consultation that heard the views of teachers, learners, and literary experts from across the country.

• SQA announces more resources and support for History teachers

  SQA confirm more Higher History support and resources will be made available for teachers in 2025. 

• Research reveals SQA is making positive progress among Scotland's teachers and learners

  The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) today published findings from one of its largest surveys of teachers, learners, parents and carers across Scotland.

• SQA publishes summary of appeal outcomes for National Qualifications in 2024

• SQA launches 'Your Voice' panels to help learners, teachers, and parents shape Qualifications Scotland

  The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) is today launching a ‘Your Voice’ campaign, calling on Scotland’s learners, teachers, lecturers, parents, and carers to sign up to new partnership panels.

• Roadmap to Qualifications Scotland unveiled, pledging to reset relationships with learners and teachers

  An ambitious blueprint for Scotland's new qualifications body is published today, marking the start of a year-long transition from SQA to Qualifications Scotland.

• SQA supports the College Development Network College Awards in its 25th year

  SQA sponsored the Judges’ Award category and this year’s winner was Dundee and Angus College.

• Higher History Review finds marking standards did not change - independent, external scrutiny confirms conclusion

  Review of Higher History has concluded that the marking standard in 2024 did not change 

• Update on National Courses for session 2024-25 onwards

  SQA has written to centres today regarding updates to a small number of courses from session 2024-25 onwards.

• SQA launches consultation on its Equality Outcomes 2025-2029

  We’re pleased to launch a public consultation on the revision of our Equality Outcomes for 2025-2029.

• SQA hosts Scottish Training Federation conference

  SQA has welcomed partners from the STF for their annual autumn conference. 

• SQA workshop gives Lourdes pupils tips on job success

  Staff from SQA visited Lourdes Secondary School in Cardonald to deliver an employability skills workshop for senior pupils.

• SQA publishes 2024 National Qualifications course reports

  The reports provide teachers and lecturers with a summary of how learners have performed in their exams and coursework for each subject at National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher level over the past year.

• Glasgow additional support needs school celebrates successes

  A Glasgow school for young people with complex additional support needs is celebrating the achievements of its pupils.

• Foundation Apprenticeships give learners a solid platform to work from

  Foundation Apprenticeships give learners the opportunity to gain experience of the workplace and achieve a valuable qualification while still being at school.

• SQA makes PE qualifications more accessible to disabled school pupils

  SQA publishes new guidance to help make PE qualifications more accessible to learners

• SQA celebrates 'achievements and hard work' of Scotland's learners on Results Day 2024

  Learners across Scotland will receive their national qualification results today (Tuesday 6 August 2024) as the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) celebrated their 'achievement and hard work'.

• SQA welcomes 'new era' of learner engagement on road to Qualifications Scotland

  Over the coming weeks and months, SQA will be working with the Scottish Government and a wide range of stakeholders to develop plans for future learner engagement to support the transition to Qualifications Scotland.

• Scottish Government appoints new Chair of SQA

  Shirley Rogers starts her new role on Friday 1 December, replacing David Middleton who has been in post since 2017.

• SQA welcomes Education (Scotland) Bill as a 'catalyst for change'

  The Scottish Government published the Education (Scotland) Bill this morning.

• SQA announces trial giving learners access to marked exam papers

  SQA today (Wednesday 22 May) announces that thousands of learners will be able to get access to some of their marked exam papers from their schools and colleges from Results Day on Tuesday 6 August.

• SQA research reveals impact of Artificial Intelligence on Scottish education

  New research reveals the impact Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) is having on education in Scotland.

• Apprenticeships give young talent chance to excel at SQA

  Apprenticeships give young talent chance to excel at SQA

• Exams underway for learners across Scotland

  The exam period begins on Monday 22 April and concludes on Thursday 30 May.

• Research examines 2023 approach to National Courses

  Research reflecting teachers' and learners' experiences of National Courses in 2023 is published today.

• SQA launches consultation on Scottish set texts

  SQA wants your views on our Scottish set texts list for National 5 and Higher English. 

• SQA publishes additional information on 2023 appeal outcomes

  SQA has published additional information regarding the National Qualification appeal outcomes in 2023.