Further Education Qualifications
National Qualifications
National Qualifications offer a wide range of awards for every level of ability, covering both vocational and academic subjects. They include units, courses made up of three units and a final assessment, and Scottish Group Awards that consist of a number of courses. These qualifications are offered at five levels; Access, Intermediate 1, Intermediate 2, Higher and Advanced Higher. Students can get a grade in a subject (rated A-D) by passing a full course, including all of the units and the SQA exam. However, the units are qualifications in their own right, so students who don’t sit or pass the external exam can still get useful National Qualifications that give employers an idea of their abilities and interests. See diagram for National Qualifications Framework.

Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQ)
Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) are nationally recognised qualifications designed to enhance your employability and job security. There are no formal exams, as SVQs are based on your ability to do a specific job and prove that you can do your job to a nationally recognised standard. To gain this qualification, someone must look at what you are doing in a workplace environment and decide if you meet the occupational standards set for that job. SVQs are available in 5 different levels.

Higher Education Qualifications
Higher National Certificate
Higher National Certificate (HNC) is an advanced qualification that is similar in demand to the first year at university in Scotland. The programmes are divided into units that are certificated in their own right. To achieve a Higher National Certificate the candidate must achieve 12 credits. Most units are valued at one credit. HNCs are at level 7 of the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework. The College offers a wide range of HNCs in many different vocational areas. They are designed to deepen understanding of the skills and technical knowledge of the area of work. They also help develop advanced study skills and the generic core skills necessary to progress on to university or to an HND. Many universities now accept students holding a relevant HNC into year 2 of their degree programmes.

Higher National Diploma
The Higher National Diploma (HND) is an advanced level qualification consisting of 30 credits. HNDs are at level 8 of the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework. Most students undertaking an HND will have previously completed an HNC, with the credits counting towards the HND qualification. HNDs involve broad and detailed study of subject matter of an academic or technical nature. In many cases, students completing an HND will be able to progress on to year 2 or 3 of a degree programme at university.