Scottish Studies Award

forth rail bridge Large The Scottish Studies Award provides opportunities for learners to develop their knowledge and understanding of Scotland — its people, languages (such as Scots and Gaelic), society, culture, natural environment and heritage — and to make connections across the curriculum. The Award also provides recognition for learners who choose to make these connections by studying aspects of three subject areas in a Scottish context.

The Scottish Studies Award is available at SCQF levels 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. At all levels, the Award has a broad and flexible framework, providing scope for personalisation and choice, which reflects the range of subject areas that can be studied in a Scottish context.

The Award may be of particular interest to learners living and studying in Scotland, as it will provide them with opportunities to broaden their understanding and appreciation of the society in which they live. This, in turn, may provide opportunities for learners to reflect on, and build, their own sense of identity as residents of Scotland and the wider world.

Impact of the decision to remove unit assessment from National 5 courses

The changes relating to the removal of unit assessments only relate to SQA National Courses. They do not affect SQA Awards, including the Scottish Studies Awards. The units of the Scottish Studies Awards remain in SQA’s catalogue and can be delivered and assessed as part of other qualifications, or as freestanding units.

Candidates undertaking Scottish Studies Awards must complete the component units to achieve the overall Scottish Studies Awards. The achievement of, for example, National 5 in History or Geography will not provide evidence of achievement of the previous component unit specifications.

UCAS Points

The Scottish Studies Award at SCQF level 6 attracts 21 UCAS points.

Assessment Support Packs for optional Scottish context units

Assessment Support Packs have not been produced for the optional Scottish context units but you may find the ASPs produced for the non-Scottish context units helpful. These can be found on the subject webpage (eg English, Modern Studies, etc) and can be adapted for the Scottish context.

Update Letters

September 2019 (159 KB)
September 2018 (162 KB)
January 2018 (65 KB)

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Who does this qualification suit

The Award may appeal to a wide range of learners who wish to broaden their understanding of Scotland, including:

S3 – S6 pupils in secondary schools
students in Further Education establishments
adult learners

Progression

The Scottish Studies Award may provide progression to further study:

in Scottish Studies at the next SCQF level
a variety of Courses, Awards or Units at the next SCQF level, depending on the specific subject areas that have been studied as part of the Award
other Awards, Courses or Units at the same SCQF level

It could also lead to vocational training or employment in a variety of sectors including tourism, hospitality and the creative, cultural and heritage industries.

Approval

Centres with devolved authority are eligible to seek approval through their own internal approval process.

Centres without devolved authority will have to come forward for approval and should contact the Business Development Team for guidance in completing the combined Qualification Approval Application.

Guidance on applying for approval and entering candidates for the Scottish Studies Award can be viewed in the document below.

Approval and Entry guidance

Where can you take this course?

Qualification content and delivery tools

Information about the qualification(s)

Award Specification(s)

Scottish Studies Award level 5 Specification (520 KB)

Scottish Studies Award level 6 Specification (449 KB)

The following Award Specifications are being updated.

Scottish Studies Award level 5 Specification (Gaelic Medium)

Scottish Studies Award level 6 Specification (Gaelic Medium)

Information about delivery, assessment, quality assurance and support material

Qualification Verification Summary Reports

Qualification Verification Summary Reports were formerly known as Internal Assessment Reports.

2019 QVSR NQ Scottish Studies Scotland in Focus (168 KB)
2018 QVSR NQ Scottish Studies Scotland in Focus (156 KB)
Scottish Studies Internal Assessment Report 2017 (155 KB)

Unit Specifications

The following unit specifications are for units in a Scottish context. Other units in the Scottish Studies frameworks can be found using the NQ Unit Search.

N2

N3

N4

N5

Higher

Award Support Notes

Unit Support Notes

Learning About Scotland level 2 Unit Support Notes (430 KB)
Scotland in Focus level 3 Unit Support Notes (282 KB)
Scotland in Focus level 3 Unit Support Notes (Gaelic translation) (349 KB)
Scotland in Focus level 4 Unit Support Notes (206 KB)
Scotland in Focus level 4 Unit Support Notes (Gaelic translation) (144 KB)
Scotland in Focus level 5 Unit Support Notes (240 KB)
Scotland in Focus level 5 Unit Support Notes (Gaelic translation) (145 KB)
Scotland in Focus level 6 Unit Support Notes (589 KB)
Scotland in Focus level 6 Unit Support Notes (Gaelic translation) (341 KB)
Scotland in Focus Unit - Overview of levels 2-6 (206 KB)

Unit assessment support and Understanding Standards

Changes to published Understanding Standards materials

Please note: Understanding Standards material is regularly reviewed to ensure it remains up to date.

Examples of candidate evidence and commentaries for unit assessment can be found on the SQA Secure Site. You can access these through your SQA Coordinator.

Case studies

Craigie High School

Crieff High School

Dalkeith High School

Scottish Studies Award Case Study - Dalkeith High School (43 KB)

Forfar Academy

Grange Academy

Scottish Studies Award Case Study - Grange Academy (42 KB)

Materials from Support Network Events

Event 1: 4 October 2013

Meeting Agenda (27 KB)
Presentations from SQA (276 KB)
Workshop 1 Discussion Points (107 KB)
Workshop 2 Discussion Points (118 KB)
Workshop 3 Discussion Points (108 KB)
Example of spreadsheet for mapping and tracking eligible candidates (50 KB)
Example of spreadsheet for recording candidate results (659 KB)
Presentation from Craigie High School (3.70 MB)
Pupil Booklet used at Craigie High School (273 KB)
Presentation from Forfar Academy (747 KB)

Event 2: 18 May 2015

Agenda (26 KB)
All Presentations (8.64 MB)
Delegate Pack (202 KB)
Workshop Discussions and Feedback (124 KB)

Event 3: 27 January 2016

Agenda (25 KB)
SQA Presentation (1.41 MB)
Education Scotland Presentation (5.65 MB)

Event 4: 11 September 2019

Agenda (189 KB)
Education Scotland presentation (2.27 MB)
Scots at Banff Academy presentation (2.95 MB)
National Library of Scotland presentation (4.35 MB)
Scotland in Focus film studies presentation (6.66 MB)
Scottish Studies Workshop 1B responses (335 KB)