The team is currently developing two new Higher National Qualifications. These are: HNC Computer Games Development HND Esports. Since these are Next Gen qualifications they follow the design principles for these new types of award, which means bigger and fewer units, less assessment and grading. The Qualification Development Teams (QDTs) have been working on these developments since the start of the year and, so far, we’ve produced frameworks (one for each qualification) and 19 new units. We’re currently finalising the…
I recently posted about online support for vocational Computing qualifications such as NPA Cyber Security and National Certificate in Computing with Digital Media. We’ve also created a dedicated Microsoft Team to support new Higher National Qualifications (HNQs), developed as part of Next Gen. Over the last six years we’ve developed a number of these new awards: HNC Computing HNC Esports HND Computer Science HND Data Science HND Networking & Cloud Infrastructure HND Software Development. We’re currently developing two new HNQs:…
This seems a good time to remind you about the process for asking for changes to qualifications. Qualifications are formally reviewed on a cycle but, between reviews, we maintain qualifications by considering small changes to them. So, if you want to: propose a change to a group award propose a change to a unit suggest the creation of a new unit comment on an assessment there’s a process for that. If you complete this short form, we will pass your…
Welcome back for session 2026/27. I hope you had a good summer holiday. I’d like to remind you about the support we offer to teachers of vocational Computing qualifications. It can be confusing to remember who does what within Qualifications Scotland so I posted something about this at the start of the year. Who does what My team (me, Emma and Helen) are responsible for vocational Computing qualifications. We can be contacted at: bobby.elliott@qualifications.gov.scot emma.campos@qualifications.gov.scot helen.zhang@qualifications.gov.scot. Emma is the lead…
The Qualifications Support Team (QST) meets annually to receive updates and consider qualification proposals submitted by centres, or individuals, throughout the year. Our annual meeting took place yesterday, 6 May. Following constructive discussions on the qualification proposals to be considered, I am happy to advise that the following changes were approved: HNC Digital Design and Web Development (GL7Y 15) – Addition of Agile Development: Introduction (HT9H 34) as an optional unit. NPA Computing Technologies (GV6W 44) – Addition of Information…
I’m pleased to let you know that the documentation for HNC Esports has now been published on Qualifications Scotland’s website. You’ll find it on the Next Gen webpage under “Esports”. NextGen: HN course documents – Qualifications Scotland The Educator Guide is here: GHHQ 47 HNC Esports educator guide Apologies for the delay, which was caused by changes to the way we publish documentation. I hope that you consider offering this exciting new qualification. We’re currently in the process of producing…
I’m pleased to let you know that a new Microsoft Team has been created to support educators to deliver vocational Computing qualifications. The team can be found here: General | Computing Teaching Network Me and my team often get requests from teachers about the resources needed to deliver a qualification or the best way to timetable a course, and we’re not best placed to answer these questions. The idea behind the support network is to provide a platform for peer…
The Sector Panel for Computing & IT met last week (Thursday). There was a full turnout (15 members). The Sector Panel provides strategic advice and direction to the team. The Panel meets annually. We provided a qualification update and a statistical update to members. For example, we updated members about various Higher National developments including the recent development of HNC Esports. There were interesting discussions about a range of issues such as the IT infrastructure in schools (which can limit…
We held a joint validation event for NextGen HND Computer Science and HND Data Science in late November last year. David Hiddleston from Edinburgh College served as convenor, and the validation panel included representatives from colleges, universities, training providers, and Skills Development Scotland (SDS). These two HNDs have adopted the new NextGen design principles, and both feature a smaller framework, compared to the legacy HNDs, with fewer but larger units. Meta-skills and learning for sustainability have been contextualised with subject-specific examples…
The first meeting of the Qualification Development Team (QDT) for HNC Computer Games Development took place on Wednesday afternoon. QDTs consist of representatives of schools, colleges, universities and employers. Computer games qualifications (which span NPA to HND) are very popular (the NPA is SQA’s most popular qualification of this type). The development of HNC is the first stage in modernising the HNC and the HND. Both qualifications will be “Next Gen” qualifications so are likely to, at least, look different…
Following on from the recent development of HNC Esports, we have commenced the development of HND Esports. This will be a “Next Gen” qualification, which means, among other things, that HNDs are stand-alone qualifications. The first meeting of the Qualification Development Team (QDT) took place yesterday. The QDT consists of representatives of colleges, universities and employers. There was a full attendance at the meeting. The purpose of the first meeting is scene-setting so members were “talked at” for most of…
The Diploma for Information Security Professionals at level 8 (GJ74 48) has been withdrawn from our portfolio as of 7 January 2026. The qualification was already in lapsing period and due to expire in December 2026. However, following conversations between Qualifications Scotland and SDS, it was agreed the qualification could be withdrawn earlier, without exhausting the lapsing period. If your centre is looking to deliver diplomas in this area, please take a look at the range of new Diplomas in…
Happy New Year to everyone. We hope that you have a good 2026. Three Qualification Managers are responsible for the overall Computing portfolio of qualification. I appreciate that can be confusing when you want to enquire about a specific award. The document below describes who does what, so that you can contact the right person. Computing portfolio by QM Most school qualifications sit with Robbie; most vocational qualifications are shared between me and Hilary. The document explains who, exactly, is…
The development of the HNC Esports is nearing completion and is scheduled for publication early next year. We have now received approval to start developing a new NextGen HND Esports qualification. We are seeking volunteers to join our Qualification Development Team to help shape this new qualification. If you are interested or have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
The review of the HNC Computer Games Development is well overdue. I am pleased to advise that we have been given the green light to proceed with this development. Therefore, we are looking for members to join our Qualifications Design Team (QDT) in order to contribute to and shape this qualification. The new HNC Computer Games Development will be developed as a NextGen qualification, which means the qualification will embed meta-skills, learning for sustainability (LfS); and follow a full qualification…
Scottish Esports, the national body for gaming and esports in Scotland, is conducting a survey to assess the viability of a national esports competition for Scotland’s schools and colleges. This initiative aims to provide a structured competitive framework that supports the Curriculum for Excellence, develops learners’ meta-skills, enhances digital literacy, and aligns with national qualifications, including the NPA Esports and HNC Esports. Please fill in this survey for expression of interest. For more information or queries, please contact: info@scotesports.org. If…
A new qualification in esports was developed last year — HNC in Esports, which follows on from NPA Esports. The validation event took place in June. We had originally planned to launch the qualification this session (session 2025/26) but no centre came forward so it will be offered from next session (session 2026/27). Although we were disappointed in that, it did give us more time to address the validation conditions, which we are currently working through. It will also give…
I’ve previously written about the various ways in which you can contribute to Scottish education by working with SQA in various capacities. There is one particularly vital role, that of the External Verifier (EV). External verification is SQA’s quality control system, whereby a team of EVs monitor the delivery of qualifications to ensure that national standards are observed in every centre. We’re currently looking for new EVs. The only pre-conditions are that you work in an SQA centre and have…
As you may know may, the “subject team” within SQA comprises me, Emma and Helen. We are collectively responsible for developing and maintaining vocational Computing qualifications such as NPA Cyber Security and HNC Computing. We’re easily contactable — either by email or instant messaging. Other subject teams are responsible for National Qualifications (such as Higher Computing Science) and digital qualifications (such as PC Passport). Of course, we can’t do our job without you. We need practitioners to help us develop…
The validation event for HNC Esports took place on Tuesday afternoon. The purpose of the event is for a panel of independent experts to review the proposed qualification. The panel consisted of representatives of colleges, universities, employers, national organisations and SQA. It was convened by a retired HMI. The Qualification Development Team (QDT) was represented by myself, the lead developer and the lead officer. It was a good constructive meeting, with the focus on quality improvement. A few issues arose including…
The web log of the qualification team for Computing within Qualifications Scotland. Look out for news about Computing qualifications and related information.
