Scottish Government

Centre For Research In Lifelong Learning:
Glasgow Caledonian University
Professor Jim Gallacher
Nuala Toman
Joanne Caldwell
The University Of Stirling
Professor Richard Edwards
The University Of Edinburgh
School Of Education
Professor David Raffe

Scottish Executive Social Research
2005
The Department of Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning

ISBN 0 7559 2821 0 (Web only publication)

This document is also available in pdf format (668k)

CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

CHAPTER ONE: AIMS OF THE EVALUATION

CHAPTER TWO: BACKGROUND TO SCQF
AIMS
THE FRAMEWORK
THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SCQF
THE ADDITIONALITY OF THE SCQF

CHAPTER THREE: EXISTING RESEARCH ON QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORKS
INTERNATIONAL LITERATURE ON QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORKS
CREDIT
FE- HE LINKS
RESEARCH ON THE SCQF

CHAPTER FOUR: METHODOLOGY
PHASE 1: SCOPING STUDY
PHASE 2: INSTITUTIONAL CASE STUDIES
PHASE 3: STAKEHOLDER GROUPS AND UK INFORMANTS
PHASE 4: EMPLOYERS AND PROFESSIONAL BODIES
PHASE 5: FINAL PHASE INTERVIEWS WITH KEY INFORMANTS

CHAPTER FIVE EXTENT OF KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF SCQF
THE HIGHER EDUCATION SECTOR
THE FURTHER EDUCATION SECTOR
OTHER STAKEHOLDERS AND INTEREST GROUPS
SUMMARY

CHAPTER SIX: EXPECTATIONS AND PERCEPTIONS
THE HIGHER EDUCATION SECTOR
THE FURTHER EDUCATION SECTOR
OTHER STAKEHOLDERS AND INTEREST GROUPS
SUMMARY

CHAPTER SEVEN: IMPACT AND OPERATION OF THE FRAMEWORK
THE HIGHER EDUCATION SECTOR
INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENTS
THE FRAMEWORK AS A COMMON LANGUAGE
CREDIT TRANSFER AND ARTICULATION
SPECIFIC AND GENERAL CREDIT
THE 96 CREDIT HNC
LEARNERS AND THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE
AN ENABLING TOOL OR AN AGENT OF CHANGE?
THE FURTHER EDUCATION SECTOR
INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENTS
CREDIT TRANSFER AND ARTICULATION
LEARNERS AND THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE
AN ENABLING TOOL OR AN AGENT OF CHANGE?
OTHER STAKEHOLDER AND INTEREST GROUPS
SUMMARY

CHAPTER EIGHT: CURRICULUM CASE-STUDIES
CASE STUDY - SOCIAL SERVICES
BACKGROUND
THE FURTHER EDUCATION COLLEGE PROVIDERS
THE UNIVERSITY PROVIDERS
SUMMARY
CASE STUDY - ENGINEERING
THE FURTHER EDUCATION COLLEGE PROVIDERS
THE UNIVERSITY PROVIDERS
SUMMARY

CHAPTER NINE: SCQF AND OTHER UK DEVELOPMENTS
QUALIFICATION FRAMEWORKS ACROSS THE UK
COMPARISONS WITH OTHER FRAMEWORKS
PROGRESS
CO-ORDINATION
SUMMARY

CHAPTER TEN: FUTURE MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION OF SCQF
CURRENT ARRANGEMENTS
PERCEIVED WEAKNESSES OF THE CURRENT ARRANGEMENTS
OPTIONS FOR CHANGE

CHAPTER ELEVEN: CONCLUSIONS

REFERENCES

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS USED IN REPORT

APPENDIX A : INFORMATION SHEETS FOR SCQF INTERVIEWS

APPENDIX B : INTERVIEW SCHEDULES

The views expressed in this report are those of the researcher and
do not necessarily represent those of the Department or Scottish Ministers.