International
study visit

Globe being held in a pair of hands
External view of Glasgow Caledonian University building

Join us from
26 to 28 May, 2026

On behalf of British Council Scotland and Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework Partnership (SCQFP), we are pleased to share an opportunity for external stakeholders in your network to participate in the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework 25th Anniversary International Study Visit.

The visit will take place from 26–28 May 2026 at Glasgow Caledonian University, Scotland. Please note, this is not connected to the Education World Forum (17-20 May 2026).

 

What is the SCQF?

The SCQF is recognised as one of the world’s most established national qualifications frameworks. It supports lifelong learning across schools, colleges, universities, community learning and the workplace. With more than 10,000 qualifications included, the framework offers a coherent and trusted approach that continues to influence policy and practice internationally.

The SCQF Partnership is responsible for upholding the quality and integrity of the SCQF.

View our interactive Framework
About the SCQF Partnership

About the study visit

This three-day visit offers a practical and collaborative space to explore how Scotland has developed and sustained its national framework – and how these insights may support your own country priorities.

  • National Quality Framework or TVET authority leaders
  • Ministry of Education officials
  • Lifelong learning and skills agency leaders
  • Quality assurance bodies (HE/FE)
  • Workforce development and recognition specialists
  • Training council representatives
  • Hear from senior Scottish education leaders on how the SCQF supports lifelong learning and skills development.
  • Join guided visits employers and colleges in Scotland to see SCQF levels and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) in action.
  • Take part in spotlight sessions on RPL and transnational education, and share experience with peers from around the world.
  • Learn about Scotland’s approach to promoting a national qualifications framework (NQF), including marketing and stakeholder engagement examples that can be adapted for local contexts.
  • Build valuable international connections with fellow NQF custodians and senior colleagues from across Scotland’s education ecosystem.

Dates: 26–28 May 2026 (inclusive)

Location: Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, Scotland

Cost: £1,500 per delegate

Includes:

  • Four nights’ accommodation (25–29 May) at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Glasgow Central.
  • Catering (lunch to be provided across all three days) and formal dinner.
  • Visa support – noting this would include any letter of invitation, if required, from SCQFP.
  • On the ground assistance from British Council Scotland and SCQFP.

 

Language of conference: English

Maximum delegates: Up to 3 per organisation

Next steps

The delegate registration form for this opportunity is now live: Register your interest, with a deadline for completion of 17 April 2026.

The British Council Scotland can support delegate registration, discuss how the programme may align with your national context, or assist with any preparation your delegates may require.

The SCQFP is also happy to schedule a drop-in call with country colleagues for any countries interested in participating.

Contact the British Council Scotland
Contact the SCQF Partnership

Glossary Term

Authority

Appears at Level 12 only where it is used in the phrase ‘demonstrate substantial authority’, reflecting a recognised high level and depth of expertise/expert knowledge and understanding, along with confidence. It does not mean ‘exercise authority over staff and resources’ etc, as that could clearly apply at earlier levels.

Glossary Term

Exercise

Used in connection with management and/or supervisory responsibility, denotes a requirement of a formal, substantive role.

Glossary Term

Directive

Applied to ‘supervision’, signifies a task or activity that is guided.

Glossary Term

Graphical Data

Encompasses maps, plans, diagrams, tables and graphs.

Glossary Term

Synthesis

Combine discrete elements into a coherent whole.

Glossary Term

Analysis

Examine in detail with a view to explanation and interpretation.

Glossary Term

Present

Set out, put forward, deliver information using a variety of mediums as appropriate.

Glossary Term

Hypothetical

Supposed, assumed for the sake of argument.

Glossary Term

Straightforward

Clear and uncomplicated activity, but not as demanding or systematic and therefore not as advanced as ‘routine’.

Glossary Term

Creativity

Often used in combination with ‘originality’. There is overlap in definition, but the defining characteristic of creativity appears to be imagination.

Glossary Term

Originality

Often used in combination with ‘creativity’. There is overlap in definition, but the defining characteristic of originality appears to be independence.

Glossary Term

Professional

Used throughout as an adjective and applied to terms including level, skills, techniques, practices, contexts, and issues where it bears broad interpretation as ‘behaving appropriately/doing things properly and well and to notions of accepted, (including externally) prescribed standards’, as well as narrow, relating to a specific occupation designated as a profession. In this latter sense, the term applies in all contexts including academic study, eg footnoting properly.

Glossary Term

Unfamiliar

New territory for an activity.

Glossary Term

Routine

Used as an adjective throughout and applied to terms including skills, tasks, elements, practices, contexts, methods and problems where it describes activity that is standard, usual, unvarying, customary, common.

Glossary Term

Everyday

Slightly more advanced and beyond personal but a known experience/activity encountered/applied regularly - less advanced than ‘familiar’.

Glossary Term

Familiar

Often encountered or experienced; common; something one has a good knowledge of - more advanced than ‘personal’ and ‘everyday’, not as advanced as ‘routine’.

Glossary Term

Personal

An experience relating only or primarily to the person – one would expect to start here then widen out into the rest of the world, so not as advanced as ‘familiar’.

Glossary Term

Critical

Fully informed, capable of supporting in-depth analysis and assessment.

Glossary Term

Discerning

Using judgement to recognise differences but not fully equipped/informed to analyse and discuss them in depth, so less advanced than critical.

Glossary Term

Awareness

Consciousness, including a background consciousness. Can be a starting point for further exploration.

Glossary Term

Appreciation

A sense, perception, a hold, fix or grasp of one or more of the various aspects of a subject/discipline/sector.

Glossary Term

Understanding

A thorough and firm grasp of a subject/discipline/sector or an element or elements of it, derived from education/study, experience and reasoning in appropriate combination. Can be defined as ‘know why’, as opposed to ‘know that’. More holistic knowledge of processes and contexts, so more advanced than appreciation and knowledge.

Glossary Term

Simple

Undemanding activity not necessarily part of a formal structure - not as advanced as ‘basic’.

Glossary Term

Knowledge

Facts, ideas, theories and concepts in a subject/discipline/sector acquired through experience and/or education – a surer grasp than appreciation so more advanced.

Glossary Term

Basic

Activity is early stepping stone on a structure or framework that can be built upon – more advanced than ‘simple’.