February 11, 2021 - Bobby -
SQA recently published advice about the recommended approach to assessment for vocational qualifications. Vocational qualifications include National Progression Awards such as NPA Cyber Security. Please note that the decision tree is interactive and will expand as you respond to the questions. Although there’s no new information, the page provides a single source of advice about the assessment of vocational qualifications. You should find the decision tree helpful. At this time, the advice remains the same: try to carry out assessment…
Read moreRead more about Advice about vocational qualifications
February 4, 2021 - Bobby -
I’m pleased to let you know that additional support materials for NPA Data Science are now available. The Educator’s Guide provides advice and guidance to teachers who are about to, or already, offer the qualification. It contains useful information about course contents, delivery, resources and assessment. The Learner’s Guide is for pupils and students, and covers the contents of each of the three levels. The one guide covers all three levels but each level is clearly sign-posted within the guide.…
Read moreRead more about Learner and teacher guides for NPA Data Science
January 22, 2021 - Helen -
We have made good progress in the two new Higher National qualifications – HNC Computing and HND Data Science as part of the HN Next Generation. We are looking for unit writers and vetters for a number of new/revised units. If you are interested, please complete the Microsoft Form by Sunday 31/01/21. A new (simplified) unit specification template will be used and a virtual unit writing training will be provided by SQA. If you have any query, please feel free…
Read moreRead more about HN Next Gen Computing – unit writers/vetters needed
January 7, 2021 - Bobby -
My welcome back post emphasised the importance of HN Next Gen (HN-NG) this coming year, when we will develop two “next generation” Higher National qualifications: HNC Computing and HND Data Science. I was particularly pleased that I was permitted to include HND Data Science since it is the only HND included in the first phase of developments. The other HNDs in the “family” (HND Computer Science, HND Networking & Infrastructure and HND Software Development) will not proceed at this time…
Read moreRead more about HN Next Gen update
January 5, 2021 - Bobby -
Me and the team would like to wish you a Happy New Year. It goes without saying that we hope 2021 is better than 2020. I posted a review of 2020 at the end of last year. The highlights were the development of two new Professional Development Awards – one relating to cyber security and one relating to data science. We’re expecting 2021 to be busy. Computing is part of the “HN Next Gen” project, which aims to create new…
Read moreRead more about Welcome back
December 24, 2020 - Bobby -
Twenty twenty has been quite a year, one none of us will forget. Me and the team have been working from home since March, which is likely to continue for the foreseeable future. Given the nature of our work, we adapted pretty quickly and, in terms of productivity, had a normal year. We commenced the year with the annual Computing Conference, which took place in February. One hundred and sixty people attended and, from the feedback, it was a great…
Read moreRead more about Review of 2020
December 18, 2020 - sqablogs -
Due to the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, SQA Accreditation has offered to provide a 6-month extension to all qualifications that had a lapsing date of up to 31st March 2021. Therefore, the following CBQs will be extended for another six months. Please see updated dates below: Code: GL2J 45 Title: Diploma in Digital Application Support at SCQF Level 5 End Accreditation Date (lapsing date): 30/09/2021 End Certification Date (finish date): 30/09/2024 Code: GL2K 46 Title: Diploma in Digital Application Support…
Read moreRead more about CBQs – Further extension
December 18, 2020 - sqablogs -
As advised in a previous post, the revised NPA Computer Networks at SCQF level 5 was in the final stage of operationalisation. I am pleased to advise that the subject page for this award is now live. You will find all relevant information regarding this award on the subject page, such as the Group Award code (GR7X 45) and a link to the Group Award Specification. The qualification structure has remained the same in the revised NPA Computer Networks. You…
Read moreRead more about NPA Computer Networks – Subject page live
December 10, 2020 - Bobby -
Further to my last update, I’m pleased to let you know that we will accelerate the development of HND Data Science so that it’s included in the first phase of HN-Next Gen. This means that two Computing qualifications will be available from August 2021. HNC Computing HND Data Science. The other HNDs (Computer Science, Networking & Infrastructure, and Software Development) will be developed in phase 2, for availability in August 2022. These new qualifications will be different from existing Higher…
Read moreRead more about HND Data Science
November 26, 2020 - Bobby -
It’s been a while since I last updated you about the “HN-Next Gen” initiative so this seems a good time to do so. Computing is one of three subjects (along with Broadcasting & TV and Engineering) that will prototype new Higher National qualifications during the next couple of years. This will be done in two phases. Phase 1: HNC qualifications, piloted during session 2021/22. Phase 2: HND qualifications, piloted during session 2022/23. Five Computing qualifications are involved in the development.…
Read moreRead more about HN Next Generation update