SQA AND UHI ANNOUNCE NEW PATHWAYS FOR LEARNERS

SQA and the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) have announced the signing of a new articulation agreement. This will allow learners who have completed our Higher National Certificates and Diplomas – including NextGen: HNs – to seamlessly progress onto UHI degree programmes at advanced levels, increasing accessibility to higher education and streamlining progression pathways.

If you would like to explore the possibility of an articulation agreement between SQA and your institution, please email [email protected].

GRADING, ARTICULATION AND PROGRESSION GUIDANCE

We have recently updated our NextGen: HN grading, articulation and progression webpages. The page has guidance and information for Higher Education Institutions and employers on:

• Preparing to receive NextGen: HN learners.
• Our new approach to grading which includes grade outcomes, grading models, and details of the grading review and interim report and recommendations, which are guiding our approach.
• How we can support with articulation and progression issues, such as ensuring articulation agreements are updated to reflect NextGen: HN qualifications.
• How NextGen: HN qualifications are reflected in the UCAS Advisor Portal.

SQA's Research and Policy Manager, David McShane, will deliver a presentation on NextGen: HN on day two of the European Access Network Conference 2024 next month.

The session will provide an overview of the collaborative approach taken to redevelop HN qualifications focusing on adaptive, flexible learners with transferable 21st century skills.

The conference will be hosted by Abertay University, Dundee, in collaboration with SCAPP (Scotland’s Community for Access and Participation Practitioners).

ENGAGEMENT ROUND-UP

A round-up of our recent engagement activity, including discussions at the Joint Articulation Group.

GRADING AND STANDARDISATION

An update on the key design principles for NextGen: HN grading and our approach to standardisation.

UNIVERSITY OF STRATHCLYDE ENGAGEMENT

The University of Strathclyde and SQA's NextGen: HN team are running a series of sessions to get into the detail of our NextGen: HN qualifications.

We're starting with Social Sciences, and will then review how that first session goes before scheduling more. It will be a very useful opportunity to bring together the subject team from NextGen: HN and the appropriate faculty and admissions staff from Strathclyde.

We're delighted to be working in partnership to ensure that our NextGen: HN students receive the best possible progression opportunities.