What Is the SCQF? Scottish Qualification Levels Explained (SCQF 6, 7 and 8 vs UK Levels 3, 4 and 5)

If you have been looking at online certificates and diplomas and keep seeing the words "SCQF Level 7" or "SCQF Level 8" next to them, you are not alone in wondering what they mean. Most people in England, the Middle East, Africa and Asia grew up hearing about "Level 3", "Level 4" and "Level 5" qualifications, so a Scottish framework with twelve levels can look confusing at first.

The short answer: the SCQF is Scotland's national qualifications framework. It has 12 levels and uses credit points to show how much learning a qualification contains. SCQF Level 6 sits at the same level as an English Level 3 qualification, SCQF Level 7 matches Level 4, and SCQF Level 8 matches Level 5. This guide explains how the framework works, how the levels line up with the rest of the UK, and what that means if you are considering an EduQual SCQF credit-rated qualification with UeCampus.

What is the SCQF?

SCQF stands for the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework. It is the lifelong learning framework for Scotland and is managed by the SCQF Partnership, a Scottish charity. The framework places qualifications on a single ladder so that learners, employers and universities can compare them easily.

Every qualification on the framework is described in two ways:

• Level (1 to 12) shows how demanding the learning is. Level 1 is the most basic, and Level 12 is doctoral study.
• Credit points show the volume of learning. One SCQF credit point represents roughly 10 hours of learning time, including taught sessions, independent study and assessment.

So a "SCQF Level 7 certificate worth 120 credits" is a qualification at the first-year-of-university level that involves around 1,200 hours of learning. Credit points measure how much you learn, not how well you did: grades are separate.

The 12 SCQF levels at a glance

The table below shows the levels most adult and online learners ask about, with the qualifications that typically sit at each level in Scotland.

SCQF level	Typical Scottish qualifications	Plain-English meaning
6	Higher, Foundation Apprenticeship, Advanced Certificate	School-leaving / pre-university level
7	Advanced Higher, HNC, Certificate of Higher Education	First year of a bachelor's degree
8	HND, Diploma of Higher Education	Second year of a bachelor's degree
9	Ordinary (non-honours) bachelor's degree	Three-year degree level
10	Honours degree	Four-year honours degree level in Scotland
11	Master's degree, Postgraduate Diploma/Certificate	Postgraduate level
12	Doctorate	Doctoral level

Levels 1 to 5 cover early school and entry-level vocational qualifications, which is why they rarely appear on online higher-education programme pages.

How SCQF levels compare with UK Levels 3, 4 and 5

England, Wales and Northern Ireland use frameworks with fewer levels than Scotland (the Regulated Qualifications Framework, or RQF, runs from Entry Level to Level 8). Because of that, the numbers do not match one-to-one. The official comparison published by Scotland's qualifications authority is:

SCQF (Scotland)	RQF (England and Northern Ireland)	EQF (European Qualifications Framework)
SCQF Level 6	Level 3	Level 4
SCQF Level 7	Level 4	Level 5
SCQF Level 8	Level 5	Level 5

In practice this means:

• An SCQF Level 6 diploma sits at the same level as A-levels or a Level 3 diploma: the step before university.
• An SCQF Level 7 certificate sits at the same level as an HNC or a Level 4 diploma: broadly the first year of a bachelor's degree.
• An SCQF Level 8 diploma sits at the same level as an HND or a Level 5 diploma: broadly the first two years of a bachelor's degree.

One caution worth repeating from the official guidance: because Scotland has more levels, you should compare the specific qualification and its credit value, not just the level number. A 120-credit certificate and a 240-credit diploma can both be "higher education level" but represent very different amounts of study.

Why do some online qualifications use SCQF levels instead of RQF levels?

Awarding bodies can be regulated in different parts of the UK. Qualifi, for example, is regulated by Ofqual in England, so its diplomas use RQF levels (Level 3, 4, 5, 7 and so on). EduQual is approved as an awarding body by Qualifications Scotland Accreditation (previously known as SQA Accreditation), so its qualifications are credit-rated on the SCQF and carry SCQF levels.

In June 2023 EduQual also became an SCQF Partnership approved Credit Rating Body. That means EduQual can assign the SCQF level and credit value to qualifications it develops, using the SCQF Partnership's tools and quality process, and those qualifications can be listed on the SCQF database.

Neither route is "better". Both are regulated UK frameworks that are mapped to each other and to the European Qualifications Framework. The practical difference for you is simply the number printed on the certificate, and knowing how to read it.

Which SCQF qualifications can you study online with UeCampus?

UeCampus delivers a range of EduQual SCQF credit-rated certificates and diplomas fully online, with flexible start dates and tutor support. Each programme page states its SCQF level, credit value and RQF equivalent.

SCQF Level 6 (equivalent to RQF Level 3)

• EduQual Diploma in International Foundation Studies (SCQF Level 6), 180 SCQF credits, designed as a pre-university foundation route.
• EduQual Diploma in Business and Management (SCQF Level 6), 120 SCQF credits.

SCQF Level 7 certificates (equivalent to RQF Level 4), 120 SCQF credits each

• EduQual Certificate in Business and Management (SCQF Level 7)
• EduQual Certificate in Business and Management: Accounting (SCQF Level 7)
• EduQual Certificate in Creative Computing (SCQF Level 7)
• EduQual Certificate in Creative Media (SCQF Level 7)
• EduQual Certificate in Cyber Security (SCQF Level 7)
• EduQual Certificate in Psychology (SCQF Level 7)

SCQF Level 8 diplomas (equivalent to RQF Level 5), 240 SCQF credits each

• EduQual Diploma in Business and Management (SCQF Level 8)
• EduQual Diploma in Business and Management: Accounting (SCQF Level 8)
• EduQual Diploma in Creative Computing (SCQF Level 8)
• EduQual Diploma in Creative Media (SCQF Level 8)
• EduQual Diploma in Cyber Security (SCQF Level 8)
• EduQual Diploma in Psychology (SCQF Level 8)

A worked example: a learner with a good school-leaving qualification who wants a career in cyber security could begin with the SCQF Level 7 Certificate in Cyber Security (120 credits, roughly 1,200 hours of learning) and then continue to the SCQF Level 8 Diploma in Cyber Security (240 credits in total). At that point they hold a qualification at the same level as an HND or a UK Level 5 diploma.

Can an SCQF Level 8 diploma lead to a degree?

Often, yes, but it is a decision each university makes for itself. An SCQF Level 8 diploma is at the same level as an HND, and HND holders are commonly considered for advanced entry into the final year or years of a related bachelor's degree. This route is usually called a top-up degree, and we explain how it works in our guide to what a top-up degree is.

Three things decide whether a particular university will accept you:

1. Subject match. A business diploma maps well onto a business degree, less well onto an engineering degree.
2. Credit value and level. Universities look at the 240 SCQF credits at Level 8, not just the word "diploma".
3. The university's own admissions policy on recognition of prior learning, which can change from year to year.

Because of this, UeCampus never promises automatic entry to any specific degree. If progression matters to you, tell our admissions team which degree you have in mind before you enrol, so we can explain the realistic options honestly.

Is an SCQF qualification recognised outside Scotland?

The SCQF is formally referenced to the European Qualifications Framework and compared against the English RQF, which is what allows the level comparisons above to be published. Employers and universities outside the UK generally look at three things: that the awarding body is regulated (EduQual is listed as an approved awarding body by Qualifications Scotland Accreditation), that the qualification is on a national framework (the SCQF database), and the level and credit value. If you plan to use the qualification in a specific country, check with the relevant recognition body or employer there. Our article on whether online qualifications are recognised explains how to run those checks.

Frequently asked questions

Is SCQF Level 7 the same as Level 7 in England?

No. SCQF Level 7 is comparable to RQF Level 4 (first year of a degree). In England, Level 7 is master's level, which is SCQF Level 11. Always check which framework a qualification is using before comparing numbers.

Is SCQF Level 8 a degree?

No. SCQF Level 8 is HND or Diploma of Higher Education level, broadly the first two years of a degree. An ordinary degree is SCQF Level 9 and an honours degree is SCQF Level 10.

What does "120 SCQF credits" mean in hours?

Roughly 1,200 hours of learning, because one SCQF credit point represents about 10 hours. A 240-credit diploma represents about 2,400 hours.

Is EduQual a recognised awarding body?

EduQual is listed as an approved awarding body by Qualifications Scotland Accreditation and has been an SCQF Partnership approved Credit Rating Body since June 2023. You can read more on our EduQual partner page.

Should I choose an SCQF (EduQual) or RQF (Qualifi) qualification?

Choose by subject, level and progression goal rather than by framework. Both are regulated UK frameworks and both appear on UeCampus programme pages with the equivalent level clearly stated. If you are unsure, our admissions advisers can compare the two routes for your situation.

Next steps

Browse the full list of online programmes at UeCampus, including every EduQual SCQF certificate and diploma, or read about tuition fees and scholarships for online students. When you are ready to talk it through, enquire now and a UeCampus admissions adviser will help you work out which level is the right starting point for you.