Psychology

• October 2017 subject update (225 KB)
• October 2016 subject update (167 KB)

The following document details the thresholds that can be applied to unit assessment in the Higher Psychology course, which were introduced from session 2016-17 onwards. It also includes thresholds that can be applied to the freestanding SCQF level 5 units.

• Psychology: arrangements for unit assessment from 2016-17 onwards

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.

Find out more about our approval process

The Higher Psychology Coursework Assessment Task (CAT) document been updated to include assignment briefs for use in session 2017–18. These briefs can be found in Appendix 2 within the document. Please note that the same briefs used during session 2016-17 will also be used in session 2017-18. 

Other sections of the CAT document have also been updated therefore it is recommended that Centres download the most recent version of this document for use.

The Coursework assessment task (CAT) document is available on SQA's secure site. To access the document, please contact your SQA Coordinator.