Independent Review of Qualifications and Assessment: consultation analysis

Parity of esteem

Q7: To promote parity of esteem across all qualifications, academic or technical and professional, should all qualifications at a particular SCQF level have the same name?

CCG discussions

• Many agreed that the SCQF is a good foundation for the change; and that generally, parents/carers and employers understand it. The SCQF has good credibility, is recognisable, and will provide a good framework for a standardised naming system.
• Some felt the change will make it difficult for employers to differentiate between knowledge-based qualifications and vocational-based qualifications. However, others welcome the proposals, which would express the 'level' attained by learners pursuing knowledge-based and skills-based qualifications using a common framework and language.
• Many stressed that language changes can only go so far in reshaping and challenging attitudes and perceptions of the relative merits of academic and vocational courses.

School and College survey

All qualifications at the same level should have the same name

Yes: Consultation analyses do not usually report results quantitatively, nonetheless, it is undoubtedly worth noting that just over two-fifths of the respondents simply replied 'yes' to this question.

Consistent and less confusing: Many felt that using the same name would be simpler, consistent and less confusing for everyone involved; learners, parents, teachers, universities, employers.

SCQF levels: Some felt that it would make more sense to use SCQF levels, encompassing different unit type assessments. Then achievement levels could be distinguished by looking at the number of credits a learner has accumulated within a SCQF level qualification.

All qualifications at the same level should not have the same name

Not comparable: Some felt that qualifications differ in terms of level, rigour and degree of challenge. Others felt that the name should also reflect the type of achievement and whether the qualification is academic, technical or professional.

Users of qualifications: Many questioned if the change would enable employers to understand what qualification/the level of qualification learners have achieved. Some felt that universities and employers should be consulted, to understand perceptions of the varying qualifications.

Implementation: Many felt that the name change should only happen if the process and assessment were comparable. Some felt that there would be a need to specify the distinction between technical and academic subjects, for the change to be successfully integrated and understood by all.