Summary
In 2005, SQA introduced ungraded Highers (also know as Skills for Work Highers) following the publication of the Scottish Executive report A Curriculum for Excellence. The report called for more skills for work options for young people, that were robustly assessed and helped them progress into further qualifications and employment. The qualifications are normally delivered by a school and college working in partnership, with opportunity for students to gain some experience of a real working environment.
These courses differ from other Highers in that they are ungraded, are internally assessed on a pass/fail basis and externally verified by SQA.
Ungraded Highers follow common principles of curriculum design, assessment and certification and have a common structure of four units. Core Skills (ie numeracy, communication, information communication technology, problem solving and working with others) are 'embedded' within units and courses through a process of audit and validation.
Tariff entry
These qualifications were first considered for UCAS Tariff points in April 2008. Points come into effect for entry to higher education from 2010 onwards.
Learning hours
240
24 Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) points.
UCAS Tariff points
Pass 45