Post 14 curriculum
Children begin their secondary education in Scotland when they are around 12 years old. They progress through four years of schooling (S1 to S4) and are then able to leave school at 16 or choose to continue their secondary education to the fifth and/or sixth year (S5 and S6). They can also choose to continue their studies at further education colleges from the age of 16.
Generally after the first two years of secondary school, pupils begin courses in National Qualifications (NQs). NQs are Standard Grades and National Units/Courses at seven levels Access (1,2 and 3), Intermediate 1, Intermediate 2, Higher and Advanced Higher.
The National Qualifications system is administered and quality assured by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA). For more information, visit the SQA website
NQs cover hundreds of subjects to suit everyone's interests and skills. They all help develop the five core skills of Communication, Numeracy, Problem Solving, Information Technology and Working with Others.
Standard Grade courses, normally taken in S3 and S4, take two years to complete and are offered at three levels; Credit, General and Foundation. Some schools now offer Intermediate Units and Courses in place of Standard Grade in S3 and S4.
The NQs system can seem confusing. The following links help make sense of the system:
The previous Administration issued guidance in July 2005 on the appropriate age and stage when young people can be presented for externally assessed qualifications.
National Qualifications Steering Group
For information visit the National Qualifications Steering Group section.
Skills for Work
For information visit the Skills for Work section.
You can also find out more about the strategy for school-college partnerships in the publication Lifelong Partners.