Associate Member:

SQA

Organisation Type:
Awarding Organisation

Contact details
Address: 58 Robertson Street, Glasgow, Scotland, G2 8DQ

Telephone: +44 (0) 345 279 1000

ABOUT

The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) is widely recognised as Scotland’s national body for accreditation and awarding of educational qualifications. Established under the Education (Scotland) Act 1996, it operates as an executive non-departmental public body reporting directly to Scottish Ministers and the Scottish Parliament.

SQA plays a pivotal role in shaping Scotland’s education and training landscape. It is responsible for developing and maintaining a comprehensive framework of qualifications, including National Qualifications (such as National 1–5, Highers, and Advanced Highers), Higher National Certificates and Diplomas, and a range of vocational awards. These qualifications are designed to support learners across schools, colleges, training providers, and workplaces.

With headquarters in Glasgow and Dalkeith, SQA employs around 1,000 staff and collaborates extensively with educational institutions, industry partners, and international bodies. Its qualifications are respected globally and aligned with frameworks such as the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF).

SQA’s mission is to enable individuals to realise their potential through accessible, inclusive, and high-quality qualifications that support lifelong learning and workforce development.

The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) is a well-established awarding body with approved centres in 20 countries around the world.

With over 30 years’ experience of supporting partners and quality assuring and certificating qualifications overseas it has provided many thousands of students accessible and cost-effective means for them to achieve internationally recognised certificates that will enable them to achieve their career goals into employment or further study.

SQA’s extensive knowledge and experience as an awarding body is enhanced by its cohort of over 15,000 subject specialists. These specialist experts support not only the SQA quality assurance processes, but provide guidance and support to its network of international centres to provide capacity building services to ensure continued growth and excellence in standards is maintained.

SQA has decades of experience in education and training, qualification standards and development. The organisation has provided a range of consultancy services to governments, donor agencies, authorities, universities and colleges around the world.

SQA works directly with governments, or through agencies such as the EU, World Bank, and British Council, amongst others, to deliver TVET Consultancy, Standards Development, Framework Development, Capacity Building and Qualification Design.

As Scotland’s National Awarding Body, SQA supports learners across Scotland, the United Kingdom and internationally, helping to support the Scottish Governments International Strategy.

SQA provides a wide range of innovative contract services on behalf of UK Government clients. It also works in co-operation with governments and international bodies on projects to develop and improve education, skills and training.

SQA services are tailored to help educational institutions, organisations or governments build robust, responsive, and future-ready systems that empower learners and meet the demands of a dynamic workforce. SQA provides a wide range of innovative contract services on behalf of UK Government clients.

SQA work in co-operation with governments and international bodies on projects to develop and improve education, skills and training. This work supports the Scottish Government’s international vision, Scotland’s place in the world, and education as a key sector.

SQA’s international services include:

Bespoke qualification design: development of customised awards tailored to specific business and industry requirements.
Internationally recognised vocational and professional qualifications: Advanced Certificates, Diplomas and Professional Development Awards for workforce upskilling.
Diploma to Degree progression routes: advanced-entry awards facilitating global university pathways.
Soft skills and train-the-trainer programmes: capacity-building courses to enhance interpersonal and instructional skills.
Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) consultancy: expert support in vocational curriculum and delivery models.
Standards development: benchmarking training against national and international frameworks to ensure rigorous quality.
Framework development: creation of progression structures and credit-transfer arrangements aligned to SCQF, RQF and EQF.
Accreditation services: independent validation of existing training programmes against SQA’s award criteria.
Assessment design and delivery: end-to-end development, implementation and management of robust assessment instruments.
Marking, results and certification: impartial marking services and comprehensive certification underpinned by strict quality assurance.
Capacity building: strengthening institutional infrastructure, systems and staff competencies for sustainable delivery.
Consultancy and advisory support: strategic advice on education policy, regulatory alignment and market-entry strategies.