Qualifications review and reform
Over the next few years, we’ll review and reform our qualifications to make sure they fit in a modern, flourishing Scotland. Our aim is to make sure that our qualifications continue to meet the needs of learners, centres, employers and wider society – now and in the future.
Qualification reform timeline
This is a long-term programme of work. It involves review of our vocational and technical qualification types alongside reform of our National Courses. We’ll engage throughout the whole programme – working with partners, educators, employers, learners, parents and carers to ensure our reformed qualifications provide clearer, more flexible progression pathways for all learners.
Phase 1: design
Review and co-design qualification types with all audiences.
Deliver: 2026 – 2028
Phase 2: develop
Use phase 1 findings and ongoing engagement to develop qualifications.
Deliver: 2028 – 2031
Phase 3: launch
New qualifications launched, starting with SCQF levels 3, 4 and 5.
Deliver: From 2031
What’s currently happening in Phase 1?
We’ve started an intensive period of engagement and co-design to review and reform vocational, technical and National Qualifications at SCQF levels 3, 4, and 5. This involves modelling workshops with educators and stakeholder surveys for people with experience of Senior Phase qualifications. The findings of these workshops and surveys will help us shape future senior phase qualifications.
We’ll keep you informed of when we’ll start work on qualifications at SCQF levels 1, 2, 6 and 7.
You said, we did: How your feedback is being used
What's coming up next?
September to October 2026 — Workshops on modelling reformed National Qualifications at SCQF levels 3, 4 and 5.
September to December 2026 — Engagement events on reforming vocational and technical qualifications offered in the senior phase, as well as creating charters for teachers and practitioners, and learners.
Have your say on what we do
We need learners, educators, and parents and carers to help shape our future qualifications.
Have your say on what we do
We need learners, educators, and parents and carers to help shape our future qualifications.