Associate Member:

SCQF – Scottish Credit & Qualifications Framework Partnership

Organisation Type:
Consultant

Contact details
Address: 201 West George Street, Glasgow, Scotland, G2 2LW

Telephone: +44 (0)141 225 2933

Website: https://www.scqf.org.uk/transnational-services/

ABOUT

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) Partnership is an independent organisation dedicated to supporting lifelong learning across Scotland and beyond. Established in 2007, it maintains and promotes Scotland’s national qualifications framework, which brings together assessed learning from schools, colleges, universities, workplaces, and community settings into a single, coherent system. By recognising diverse learning experiences and ensuring they are quality assured, the SCQF enables individuals to understand and navigate their educational and career pathways more effectively. It also supports employers, learning providers, and advisers by offering tools and guidance that clarify the relationships between qualifications and help identify progression routes.

The SCQF Partnership plays a vital role in fostering equity and inclusion within education and training. Its work is guided by values of collaboration, integrity, and respect, with a strong focus on enabling access for those facing barriers to learning. Through strategic initiatives, consultancy, and international engagement, the Partnership contributes to Scotland’s economic development by enhancing workforce mobility and supporting transitions into emerging industries. Its commitment to recognising informal and non-formal learning ensures that all forms of achievement are valued, helping individuals reach their full potential in a rapidly evolving global landscape.

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) Partnership is an independent charitable organisation responsible for maintaining and developing Scotland’s national qualifications framework. Established in 2006, the Partnership was formed by key educational bodies to ensure a coherent system for recognising learning across all sectors. The SCQF itself provides a unified structure that brings together qualifications from schools, colleges, universities, workplace training, and community learning. By assigning levels and credit points to learning outcomes, the Framework enables learners, educators, and employers to understand the relative complexity and volume of qualifications, supporting informed decisions about progression and development.

The SCQF Partnership plays a central role in promoting lifelong learning and social inclusion. It works to ensure that all forms of assessed learning—formal, informal, and non-formal—are recognised and valued. This includes supporting the recognition of prior learning and helping individuals navigate transitions between education, training, and employment. The organisation collaborates with a wide range of stakeholders, including government bodies, employers, and learning providers, to develop tools and resources that enhance access to education and training. Its commitment to equity ensures that those facing barriers to learning are supported through tailored initiatives and guidance.

Internationally, the SCQF Partnership shares its expertise to support the development of qualifications frameworks in other countries. Through transnational consultancy and strategic partnerships, it contributes to global efforts to improve education systems and workforce mobility. The organisation’s work in benchmarking and aligning qualifications helps facilitate learner and labour market transitions across borders. By engaging in dialogue with international frameworks and agencies, the SCQF Partnership ensures that Scotland’s qualifications remain relevant and comparable on a global scale. This outward-facing approach strengthens Scotland’s position in international education and supports the country’s economic and social development.

Looking ahead, the SCQF Partnership is focused on expanding the Framework’s reach and impact. Its strategic goals include increasing recognition of comparable learning, enhancing mobility for learners and workers, and improving access for underrepresented groups. The organisation is particularly invested in supporting emerging industries, such as the green economy, by developing relevant learning pathways and credit-rated programmes. Through ongoing research, stakeholder engagement, and quality assurance, the SCQF Partnership continues to evolve the Framework to meet the changing needs of learners and the labour market. Its work ensures that Scotland remains at the forefront of inclusive, flexible, and transparent education systems.

Maintains Scotland’s national qualifications framework, ensuring consistency and transparency across all forms of assessed learning.
Supports lifelong learning by recognising formal, informal, and non-formal learning across diverse settings including schools, colleges, workplaces, and communities.
Provides credit rating services to organisations, enabling learning programmes to be formally recognised within the SCQF.
Facilitates Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), helping individuals gain credit for existing knowledge and experience to avoid duplication in learning.
Develops progression pathways that support learners in navigating transitions between education, training, and employment.
Offers consultancy and guidance to international partners seeking to develop or enhance their own national qualifications frameworks.
Promotes equity and inclusion by supporting access to education and training for underrepresented and disadvantaged groups.
Engages with employers to help them understand qualifications and identify appropriate levels of skill and competence for recruitment and workforce development.

Provides tools and resources such as the SCQF database, level descriptors, and interactive guides to support learners and advisers.
Delivers workshops and training sessions for educators, advisers, and employers to build understanding of the Framework and its applications.
Maintains the SCQF Register, a comprehensive listing of credit-rated programmes and qualifications across Scotland.
Supports the development of new qualifications aligned with emerging industries, including green economy and digital sectors.
Collaborates with government and education bodies to influence policy and ensure the Framework remains responsive to national priorities.
Aligns Scottish qualifications with international frameworks, enhancing global recognition and mobility for learners and workers.
Conducts research and evaluation to inform strategic development and ensure the Framework continues to meet the needs of stakeholders.
Champions the value of all learning, advocating for a culture where diverse achievements are recognised and celebrated.