Qualifications Scotland sets out latest progress on qualifications reform

Qualifications Scotland has today published an update on its ongoing programme to review and reform qualifications across Scotland, first announced in February. The update confirms a range of improvements to National Course assessments that will take effect from the 2026–27 session.

The update also covers the results of the latest survey work with educators and learners, improvements to assessment in current National Courses, and progress across the wider reform programme — which spans everything from school qualifications to vocational, technical and post-school awards.

Donna Stewart, Chief Qualifications Officer at Qualifications Scotland, said: "Longer‑term changes to our National Courses will be developed in line with wider curriculum reform, in partnership with Education Scotland. While that work progresses, we are making targeted improvements to current National Course assessments to reduce unnecessary duplication and deliver benefits for learners and educators now.

“We've listened carefully to what educators and learners have told us, and we're acting on that feedback. The changes we're confirming today are about making improvements to assessment now while fully engaging with learners, educators, employers, parents and carers, and partners – shaping fairer, more balanced qualifications that are better suited to the needs of every learner — whether they're in school, college, a training centre or in work.

“We're grateful to everyone who took the time to respond. Where learners and educators held different views, we considered all the evidence carefully, including the qualitative responses and the reasons the changes were originally proposed.”

Assessment changes confirmed for 2026–27

Following the first phase of survey work on assessment in current National Courses, Qualifications Scotland has confirmed that all proposed changes put to respondents will be implemented from session 2026–27. Qualitative feedback from the survey has also helped shape the finer detail of those changes.

Updated course specifications and coursework assessment tasks will be published on subject pages by Friday 12 June 2026, with updated specimen question papers to follow by 30 September 2026 where appropriate.

Next phase of survey work now open

The next phase of survey work on National Course assessments is now under way. Qualifications Scotland is inviting teachers, lecturers and learners to share their views on proposed changes to the following courses:

• Modern Studies – National 5 and Nuadh-eòlas – Nàiseanta 5

• Geography – National 5 and Higher, and Cruinn-eolas – Nàiseanta 5 agus Àrd-ìre

• History – National 5 and Higher, and Eachdraidh – Nàiseanta 5 agus Àrd-ìre

• Philosophy – National 5 and Higher

Progress across the wider reform programme

Beyond these improvements to current assessments, Qualifications Scotland is progressing a long-term programme of qualifications reform designed to ensure Scotland's qualifications fit the needs of a modern, changing country. The programme will help deliver and award qualifications that give all learners a fair and equal opportunity to fulfil their potential.

Key workstreams include:

Reforming National Courses — rebalancing assessment methods, reducing over-reliance on written exams, and exploring a modular approach at SCQF levels 5, 6 and 7 to give learners greater flexibility while maintaining clear progression pathways.

Reviewing qualification types — Skills for Work courses, Awards and National Progression Awards are being reviewed alongside National Courses. We’re also reviewing our post-school qualification types. The overall aim of this review work is for progression pathways to be clearer and more flexible across all qualification types.

Aligning with curriculum reform — working with the Scottish Government, Skills Development Scotland and Education Scotland to ensure qualifications and curriculum reform develop in step with one another.

Digital technology — engaging with users and stakeholders on how modern digital tools can improve learners' assessment experiences, with equal access for all learners at the centre of this work.

Quality assurance — co-designing a simpler, more consistent approach to quality assurance with approved centres.

Governance and voice — two new Interest Committees have been established to put the voices of learners and educators at the heart of decision making, and teacher representation on the Board of Management has been strengthened.

Donna Stewart added: "Qualifications reform is a long-term undertaking, and its success depends on the people most affected by it being genuinely involved. We're committed to that. The work we're doing now — improving current assessments, building new governance structures, and planning the wider review and redesign of our qualifications — is all part of ensuring Scotland has a qualifications system that is trusted, inclusive and fit for the future."