What's
new?

Latest Article
Categories
News Blog International News School Ambassador Blogs
Headshot of Julie Wales

Putting your training programme on the SCQF – a step-by-step guide

Learn about the step-by-step process of putting a learning programme on the SCQF in this guest blog …

8 May 2026

The new Creative Innovation qualification: Building real-world skills for S4 to S6 pupils

Discover the Creative Innovation qualification for S4 to S6 at SCQF levels 5 and 6,

29 Apr 2026

SCQF level 6 qualifications are expanding, but will they allow university entry?

The equivalency of SCQF level 6 qualifications and the challenges of university entry are explored …

22 Apr 2026
Graphic titled ‘Invitation to tender: New eLearning pilot.’ A pink text box below reads: ‘We’re looking for a skilled supplier to deliver an elearning platform, hosted on the SCQFP website.’ On the right side is a colourful gradient design with the SCQF 25th anniversary logo and the tagline ‘years of making all learning count

SCQF Partnership invites tenders for new eLearning pilot

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework Partnership has launched a tender to develop an …

1 Apr 2026
A group of secondary school pupils and a teacher stand together in a woodland area, examining something on the ground as part of an outdoor learning activity. The students wear jackets and backpacks, with some holding clipboards and a tablet, while one kneels to look more closely.

Organisations secure funding to develop IDL learning programmes

Organisations will receive funding to have their interdisciplinary learning (IDL) programmes added …

20 Mar 2026
Graphic advertising a vacancy for the Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee at SCQF. Headline reads “We are looking for a new Chair of our Audit and Risk Committee.” Icons illustrate three responsibilities: providing leadership to the committee, overseeing financial reporting and risk management, and supporting lifelong learning and skills development. Text asks for experience in finance, audit or governance, board or committee experience, and strong analytical and leadership skills. Contact email: chair@scqf.org.uk . SCQF (Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework) logo shown.

SCQF Partnership recruiting new chair for Audit and Risk Committee

We are seeking to appoint a new Chair of the SCQFP's Audit and Risk Committee.

10 Mar 2026
Greenfaulds High School pupils in blue school uniforms pose outside their school entrance beneath a large “Welcome (Fàilte)” sign. Two students at the centre hold a silver SCQF Ambassador plaque while classmates stand and kneel around them, smiling for the photo.

Greenfaulds High School is redefining student success

What does it take to truly put students first? At Greenfaulds High School in Cumbernauld, the …

3 Mar 2026

SCQF Partnership appoints Marissa Lippiatt as interim CEO

John Evans, chair of the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) Partnership Board, has …

20 Feb 2026

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’.