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.

Common questions

Common Questions about the Scottish Studies Award

Update Letters

January 2018 (65 KB)
September 2015 (27 KB)
February 2015 (146 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 document

Approval and Entry Guidance (243 KB)

Where can you take this course?

Qualification content and delivery tools

Information about the qualification(s)

Award Specification(s)

Information about delivery, assessment, quality assurance and support material

Qualification Verification Summary Reports

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

Scottish Studies Internal Assessment Report 2017 (155 KB)

Unit Specifications

N2

N3

N4

N5

Higher

Award Support Notes

Scottish Studies Award level 2 Support Notes (425 KB)
Scottish Studies Award level 2 Support Notes (Gaelic translation) (562 KB)
Scottish Studies Award level 3 Support Notes (633 KB)
Scottish Studies Award level 3 Support Notes (Gaelic translation) (355 KB)
Scottish Studies Award level 4 Support Notes (686 KB)
Scottish Studies Award level 4 Support Notes (Gaelic translation) (107 KB)
Scottish Studies Award level 5 Support Notes (718 KB)
Scottish Studies Award level 5 Support Notes (Gaelic translation) (121 KB)
Scottish Studies Award level 6 Support Notes (710 KB)
Scottish Studies Award level 6 Support Notes (Gaelic translation) (908 KB)

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)

Unit assessment support and Understanding Standards

Unit assessment support materials for the Scottish Studies Award are available from our secure website. Teachers and lecturers can arrange access to these materials through their SQA Co-ordinator.

Unit assessment support materials, for Units in Courses which can contribute to the Award, are also available on our secure website under the relevant subject area.

These materials must be stored securely and treated as confidential.

We have also published examples of candidates' work for the Scotland in Focus unit at SCQF levels 3, 4 ,5 and 6 together with the External Verifier's commentary. This material is available on the Understanding Standards page of SQA's Secure Site. Access can be arranged through your SQA Co-ordinator or, together with your confidential login details, on the Understanding Standards Events Materials page.