How We Operate

 

How we operate?

SQA is responsible for the development, accreditation, assessment and certification of qualifications taken in schools, colleges and workplaces across Scotland.

Qualifications include:

• National Qualifications
  including Standard Grade and National Units and Courses at Access, Intermediate, Higher and Advanced Higher levels
  
   
• Higher National Certificates and Diplomas (HNC/HND)
  
  
• Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs)
  
  
• Customised Awards and Professional Development Awards

One of SQA's primary responsibilities is the certification of the August Diet of National Courses and Higher National Qualifications for candidates in schools and colleges across Scotland.

There is a year-round cycle of assessment design, recruitment of markers and other appointees, quality assurance of coursework and processing of appeals in addition to the annual peak of assessment and certification activity between May and August.

• Find out how this works

A Chair and Board are appointed by the Scottish Government to oversee and direct organisational affairs. There is also an Advisory Council appointed by the Scottish Government to provide independent advice to Ministers.

A permanent staff, headed by the Chief Executive, manages and carries out projects and tasks. Additional members of staff are appointed as required on a short-term contract or secondment basis to undertake duties relating to particular projects.

Our Management Team is responsible to the Chair and the Board for our day-to-day operations.

Our Management Statement and Financial Memorandum, drawn up by the Scottish Government Education Department in consultation with SQA, sets out the broad framework within which we operate.  This includes:

• the rules and guidelines relevant to the exercise of our functions, duties and powers
• the conditions under which any public funds are paid to us
• how we are to be held to account for its performance

For more information, use the following links:

• Download SQA's Financial Statement and Financial Memorandum
  
   
• Find out more about how SQA is planning for the future