Like all Scottish universities and colleges, we use the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) levels to describe our courses. It shows how you can build up a series of points (known as “credit points”) to gain the qualification you want, transfer these credits onto other courses, and compare levels across different courses and qualifications.
View the SCQF table here: Interactive Framework | Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (scqf.org.uk)
Remember - there’s no one set or right way to progress through school, college, university and into the job you want. And one of the benefits of college is how flexible your route can be, with so many options available to suit your own circumstances. You can even take time out of your studies and pick them up again at a later stage.
Further education (FE) qualifications
Broadly comparable to SCQF Level 4 – the equivalent level to National 4s
Certificate courses are the perfect stepping stone for those with no or few formal qualifications. They are a cluster of units, mainly at SCQF Level 4, that will give you an appropriate set of skills and knowledge to progress on to the next SCQF level.
Broadly comparable to SCQF Level 5 – the equivalent level to National 5s
Intermediate Certificate courses contain a cluster of units, mainly at SCQF Level 5, that will give you an appropriate set of skills and knowledge to progress to the next SCQF level.
Broadly comparable to SCQF Level 6 – the equivalent level to Highers
Advanced Certificate courses are a cluster of units, mainly at SCQF Level 6, that will give you an appropriate set of skills and knowledge to progress to the next SCQF level in your education or chosen career path.
The above courses are made up of a cluster of units and successful achievement of these will provide you with all the knowledge you need to progress to a higher level of course in your chosen subject area, or into your chosen career path. Many of these units are accredited by an awarding body and the course may even include a small group award (eg – a National Progression Award) but they do not result in a large formal award like a National Certificate.
National Certificate courses
These courses hold a nationally recognised group award qualification at SCQF Levels 4, 5 or 6 and can be used as a stepping stone to employment or on to further study at a higher SCQF level.
Higher education (HE) qualifications
SCQF Level 7 – the equivalent to year 1 at university
HNCs are normally completed in one year full-time or in two years with part-time study. Upon successful completion of an HNC, you have options which may include progressing to an HND at Fife College, to a degree with one of our partner universities (often entering the degree course in year 2), or into employment.
SCQF Level 8 – the equivalent to year 2 at university
An HND is two years of study if done as a full-time course. If you’re progressing from HNC, you will go straight into the second and final year of the HND. They give you the option of progressing through to a degree (often entering year 3 of the degree course) or into employment.
SCQF Levels 9 (Degree) and 10 (Honours Degree)
As well as routes to a wide range of degree courses at other institutions, with the benefit of studying the first one or two years locally, by working alongside our partner universities, we offer a great range of degrees right on your doorstep at Fife College campuses, so that you can study your whole degree with us in Fife. These degrees are awarded by our university partners so are the same as those issued to their own students.
Note: An Honours degree in Scotland takes 4 years of full-time study to complete, but in the English system an Honours degree takes 3 years.
Glossary of other qualifications
- SVQ – Scottish Vocational Qualification
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NVQ – National Vocational Qualification
Vocational qualifications assess the skills and knowledge needed in a specific job role. Some students may already be in appropriate employment but all courses will provide students with the opportunity to gain experience in a relevant work setting.