SVQ Business and Administration SCQF level 5, 6, 8

Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) recognise competence in job-related skills and are based on National Occupational Standards.

SVQs in Business and Administration are designed to equip those working in business and administration with the skills and knowledge they need to demonstrate competence in their job role.

Level 5 involves a greater range of activities with some degree of complexity and limited autonomy. Mandatory units cover undertaking allocated work, and communicating and managing one’s own performance in a business environment. There is a wide range of optional units including: document production, supporting events, meetings and diaries, customer service, IT and various specialist administrative functions.

At SCQF level 6, candidates have a broad range of activities with significant complexity, responsibility and autonomy, often in a supervisory or team-leading role. Mandatory units cover managing workload, communicating and planning, and improving one’s own performance in a business environment. There is again a wide range of optional units including: work responsibilities, document production and design, managing events, customer service, managing business resources, and managing information and data.

SCQF level 8 candidates will normally be managers with responsibility for staff and/or financial or other resources. Mandatory units involve managing and being accountable for own performance, and managing work and communication in a business environment. Optional units include business support services, project management, managing business resources, innovation and change, managing Information and data, customer service and communication.

This qualification is available through employers and training providers.

New Optional Units added to SCQF Level 5 and 6 Business and Administration SVQs – July 2025

Following a period of wide and lengthy consultation, new units have been added to the optional pathways of the SCQF level 5 and 6 qualifications. These are mostly in the area of Digital and IT units contextualised for use in a Business and Administration context. A list of the units concerned and where they fit in each qualification structure is available below.

The units are available from 1st July 2025. Assessment Guidance has been updated and there is no change to the Assessment Strategy. 

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Why deliver this qualification

Learners will gain an internationally-recognised qualification that guarantees that they have the skills, knowledge and abilities required to carry out their role successfully. Employers will also benefit from their employees being proficient.

Assessment is carried out in the workplace. This minimises any time learners need to be away from their work.

Learners can progress to a range of qualifications including HNC Business or Administration.

The SVQ can be offered in any of the following modes:

  • full-time
  • part-time (for example, day-release)
  • open and distance learning

Having experience in and/or knowledge of the subject would be an advantage towards the achievement of this award.

Who does this qualification suit

This SVQ is suitable for:

  • individuals looking to complete an apprenticeship in a vocational subject and currently in employment
  • individuals who are currently in employment and who wish to obtain a formal qualification
  • employees who wish to obtain continuing professional development

Access

Entry is at the discretion of the centre.

Candidates should be in a job or placement where they are carrying out relevant tasks and responsibilities which allow then to gather the required evidence.

No prior qualifications or knowledge are required to undertake this qualification.

Progression

The level 5 award could provide progression to:

  • an HNC/HND in Business, Administration or a related area
  • a PDA in Business or Administration
  • an SVQ in Business and Administration at SCQF level 6

The level 6 award could provide progression to:

  • an HNC/HND in Business, Administration or a related area
  • a PDA in Business or Administration
  • an SVQ in Business and Administration at SCQF level 8

The level 8 award could provide progression to:

  • an HNC/HND in Business, Administration or a related area
  • a PDA in Business or Administration
  • an SVQ in Management at SCQF level 8

Approval

Centres interested in offering this qualification must come forward for approval and should contact SQA’s Business Development Team for guidance.

Assessors and verifiers must be able to meet SQA’s general requirements for technical/occupational competence as outlined in the Systems and Qualification Approval Guide. The specific delivery requirements are set out in the assessment strategy.

How to assess

For general information, please refer to the document Information for Assessment of Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs). For detailed guidance on how to assess this particular SVQ, please refer to the assessment strategy.

Where can you take this course?

Qualification content and delivery tools

Current

Information about the qualification(s)

Qualification Structure

SVQ Business and Administration SCQF level 5 GT9J 22

The SVQ in Business and Administration at SCQF level 5 consists of three mandatory units and 5 optional units.

SVQ Business and Administration SCQF level 6 GT9H 23

The SVQ in Business and Administration at SCQF level 6 consists of three mandatory units and 5 optional units.

SVQ Business and Administration SCQF level 8 GM31 24

Unit information for this qualification is available through our Accredited Qualification Unit Search.

National Occupational Standards

SQA works in partnership with other organisations to ensure that National Occupational Standards are relevant to the current and future needs of Scottish industries.

Unit information for this qualification is available on our Unit Search.

Core Skills signposting

Core Skills mapping is carried out by the SSC responsible for the development of an SVQ. It is a requirement of SQA Accreditation that every SVQ submission includes information on where possible opportunities for candidates to develop Core Skills exist across the mandatory units.

Centres should note that mapping is not audited or validated against the Core Skills framework/units so is not accepted by SQA awarding body as evidence towards achievement of the Core Skills units.

Core Skills mappings are carried out by the SSC responsible for the development of an SVQ. It is a requirement of SQA Accreditation that every SVQ submission includes information on where possible opportunities for candidates to develop Core Skills exist across the mandatory units.

Centres should note that mappings are not audited or validated against the Core Skills framework/units so are not accepted by SQA awarding body as evidence towards achievement of the Core Skills units.

20220223 CSS SVQ Business&Admin L5 (95 KB)

20220223 CSS SVQ Business&Admin L6 (97 KB)

Modern Apprenticeships

This SVQ is a mandatory component in the level 5 Modern Apprenticeship.

SQA also offers the following components of this apprenticeship:

Communication

  • F425 04 SCQF 3
  • F426 04 SCQF 4
  • F427 04 SCQF 5
  • F428 04 SCQF 6

Numeracy

  • F429 04 SCQF 3
  • F42A 04 SCQF 4
  • F42B 04 SCQF 5
  • F42C 04 SCQF 6

Information and Communication Technology

  • F42D 04 SCQF 3
  • F42E 04 SCQF 4
  • F42F 04 SCQF 5
  • F42G 04 SCQF 6

Problem Solving

  • F42H 04 SCQF 3
  • F42J 04 SCQF 4
  • F42K 04 SCQF 5
  • F42L 04 SCQF 6

Working with Others

  • F42M 04 SCQF 3
  • F42N 04 SCQF 4
  • F42P 04 SCQF 5
  • F42R 04 SCQF 6

Information about delivery, assessment, quality assurance and support material

Assessment strategy

Assessor's guidelines

Candidate Guidance and Portfolio

Qualification Verification Summary Reports

Understanding Standards & Frequently Asked Questions

Understanding Standards

Understanding Standards: Best Practice in Assessment of SVQs in Business and Administration

This material is intended to help assessors make valid, reliable and consistent assessment decisions when assessing SVQs in Business and Administration. It contains examples of evidence and assessment decisions supplemented by notes from External Verifiers explaining why they represent good, fair or poor practice. It also provides guidance on referencing evidence.

FAQs

Network Events

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

Lapsing

Information about the qualification(s)

Qualification Structure

SVQ Business and Administration at SCQF Level 6 GK6Y 23

This group award has been replaced.

It entered its lapsing period on: 28/02/2023

All entries for the old structures must be registered by 28/02/2023. Level 5 must be completed by 28/02/2025 and Level 6 must be completed by 28/02/2027.

National Occupational Standards

Unit information for this qualification is available on our Unit Search.

Information about delivery, assessment, quality assurance and support material

Assessment strategy

Assessment Guidance for all levels of SVQs in Business and Administration levels 1,2,3 and 4 is now available on SQA's secure website.

All centres approved to deliver SVQs in Business and Administration have access to this page through their SQA Co-ordinator. If you experience any difficulties accessing this page, please contact the Business Development and Customer Support Team - mycentre@sqa.org.uk or 0303 333 0330.

Assessor's guidelines

Candidate Guidance and Portfolio

Frequently Asked Questions

Standards

Mandatory

Optional

Level 1 Units

Level 2 Units

Level 4 Units

Mandatory

Optional

Level 3 Units

Useful links