Our National Qualifications in Psychology focus on the scientific study of the mind and behaviour, and enhance learners’ ability to use evidence to explain behaviour. These courses provide opportunities to study and research classic and contemporary psychological topics. Learners develop critical thinking, reasoning and report writing skills.
Centres need to apply for approval before delivering Psychology qualifications for the first time.
Teachers and lecturers delivering or assessing Psychology are required to have completed at least two years successful study of Psychology at University or Higher National Diploma (HND) level, including the study of research methods.
Individuals undertaking the internal verifier role for Psychology must have sufficient subject knowledge to understand the content of assessments and national standards for the course. They also need to be able to confirm that reliable assessment judgements have been made. Internal verifiers are not required to have completed two years study of Psychology at University or HND level.
We have updated the Higher Psychology Coursework Assessment Task document to include assignment briefs for use in session 2016–17. The briefs can be found in Appendix 2 of the document. Please note that the same briefs used in session 2015–16 will also be used in session 2016–17, therefore only very minor changes have been made to the briefs.
Other sections of the Coursework Assessment Task document have been updated, therefore it is recommended that centres download the most recent version of the document.
The Coursework Assessment Task document is available on SQA's secure site. To access the secure site, please contact your SQA Co-ordinator.
Changes to assessment in National Courses
31-JAN-2017
Following the Deputy First Minister’s announcement that units and unit assessments will be removed from National 5 to Advanced Higher courses, we are strengthening the course assessment to ensure it covers the full content of the course.
Units and unit assessments will be removed as followed:
Our National Qualifications in Psychology focus on the scientific study of the mind and behaviour, and enhance learners’ ability to use evidence to explain behaviour. These courses provide opportunities to study and research classic and contemporary psychological topics. Learners develop critical thinking, reasoning and report writing skills.