Computing – Page 4 – Computing & Digital Blog

NPA Data Science now available

March 12, 2025 - Bobby - 0

I’m pleased to let you know that the revised version of NPA Data Science is now available to centres. You’ll find the revised subject page here: https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/91458.html My apologies for the delay in making this available. We had hoped that it would have been ready for the start of the session. The component units have been available for some time. This is the second version of the qualification, which was first introduced in 2019/20. It’s a popular National Progression Award…

Re-organisation of the team

February 25, 2025 - Bobby - 0

Regular readers will know that Emma and Helen returned to the team after Christmas. Emma has responsibility for non-advanced qualifications (NUs, NPAs, NCs) and CBQs, and Helen advanced qualifications (HNUs, HNC, HND, PDA). We’re going to re-organise things within the team so that each Qualifications Officer (QO) has responsibility for a specific field within computing, rather than levels of qualifications. So, for example, Emma will be the lead officer for all qualifications relating to computer science and computer games; Helen…

Change to HND Computing: Software Development (GG7E 16)

February 19, 2025 - Emma - 0

The framework of the HND Computing: Software Development (GG7E 16) has been amended following a change request submitted by a delivering centre. The change request related to the addition of Machine Learning (J1BB 35) to the framework as an optional unit. Upon consideration by the Qualification Support Team (QST), the change request was approved on 24 January 2025. Consequently, the unit Machine Learning (J1BB 35) has been added to Group 2 of the optional units of the HND Computing: Software…

Contacting the team

February 10, 2025 - Bobby - 0

Regular readers will know that Emma and Helen returned to the vocational Computing team in January (they had been seconded to the Next Gen team). Emma is the lead officer for non-advanced qualifications (NPAs and NCs) and CBQs, and Helen is the lead officer for advanced qualifications (HNQs and PDAs). I’m sure that you already know our email addresses but, in case you don’t, we can be contacted here: bobby.elliott@sqa.org.uk emma. campos@sqa.org.uk helen.zhang@sqa.org.uk. There’s also a general mailbox at computing@sqa.org.uk…

Next Gen update

January 31, 2025 - Bobby - 0

It’s been a while since I posted an update about Next Gen. Regular readers will know that Next Gen is an initiative to modernise Higher National Qualifications (HNQs) that has been on-going since 2020. Computing has figured prominently in Next Gen. Five HNQs were developed during the first phase: HNC Computing. HND Computer Science. HND Data Science. HND Networking & Cloud Infrastructure. HND Software Development. One of the features of Next Gen is that qualifications are piloted, and there were…

Qualification proposals

January 16, 2025 - Bobby - 0

Centres are encouraged to propose new or revised qualifications if you think there’s a gap in provision or would like to change an existing qualification. We’re also happy to receive feedback on support materials (or receive suggestions for new support materials). The standard process is to use the DAVAL2 form, which can be downloaded here. But we’d prefer if you used our online form (since we convert the DAVAL2 to this so it saves time if you enter it directly).…

Happy New Year from the team!

January 3, 2025 - Bobby - 0

SQA returned from the Christmas holiday today. We hope you had a nice Christmas and New Year. This coming year looks like being a busy one. The team is changing or, rather, the team is reverting to what it was. Emma and Helen are returning to the team and Gayle and Megan are returning to their substantive posts. These changes are a result of changes to the way Next Gen developments are supported. Helen and Emma have lots of experience…

Scottish Games Education Network

November 29, 2024 - Bobby - 0

I attended the annual Games Education Network event on Wednesday, held at West College Scotland, and gave a talk about national qualifications in computer games development. The event was well attended, with representatives from the games industry, education and national organisations. I took the opportunity to provide an update on the on-going sector review of computer games qualifications and encouraged attendees to complete the short survey relating to this development. My presentation included information on the range of qualifications available…

NPA Data Science

November 21, 2024 - Gayle - 0

Following Bobby’s recent blog post, I’m pleased to confirm we have now published the 8 revised units for the NPA Data Science. The revised units are. Data Citizenship 4/5/6 Data Science 4/5/6 Machine Learning 5/6 I have linked all the units in the frameworks below Data Citizenship SCQF Level 4 Data Science SCQF Level 4 Data Citizenship SCQF Level 5 Data Science SCQF Level 5 Computer Programming SCQF Level 5 Data Security SCQF Level 5 Data Science Project SCQF…

Help us shape HNC Esports

November 20, 2024 - Bobby - 0

Regular readers will know that we’re currently in the consultation phase of developing HNC Esports. This involves interviews with key stakeholders (currently being carried out by the lead developer) and also some quantitative research. I would appreciate if you would spare of few minutes to complete this short survey on what you think should be included in the qualification. https://forms.office.com/e/1DuJVZZ70R Your contribution would be greatly appreciated and will help shape the qualification. Please contact Megan for more information about this…