2nd December 2025
Qualifications Scotland became a legal entity on 1 December 2025. The organisation will be fully operational and ready to issue qualification certificates in the coming months. What does this mean for you and your child? We asked Nick Page, Chief Executive of SQA and now Qualifications Scotland:
It’s an exciting time for Scottish qualifications. We’re looking forward to working with parents, carers, learners and educators to ensure Qualifications Scotland engages more deeply, ensuring these key voices are heard and are at the very heart of everything we do.
What’s happening and when
The new Qualifications Scotland Board is being appointed and we’ll work with them on creating the governance arrangements set out in the Education (Scotland) Act 2025.
We'll establish:
- A Strategic Advisory Council
- Learner and Practitioner Interest Committees
- An Accreditation Committee
- Expanded Your Voice partnership panels to enable learners, parents and carers to share their experience and shape Qualifications Scotland
We're working hard behind the scenes to ensure everything moves smoothly. While we're focusing on priority tasks to deliver a seamless service from day one, some work will take longer. You may continue to see some SQA-branded materials as we work through these changes. You and your child can be reassured that while we’re working on plans to reform qualifications in the future, there are no immediate changes planned to exams and assessments this year.
Putting learners and educators first
One of the most important aspects of the Education (Scotland) Act 2025 is strengthened governance that puts learners’ and educators’ knowledge and experience at the very heart of everything we do.
The Qualifications Scotland Board will include at least five members who are practising teachers or lecturers. There will also be members able to represent the interests of learners and employers. This represents a significant shift in how we'll be led and held accountable.
Our new Learner Committee will ensure their voices actively shape our work. It will also be underpinned by a Learner Charter that clearly explains what you and your child can expect from us.
We want you to tell us what matters to you and your child as well as what needs to change. We’ll provide genuine opportunities for everyone to get involved in the work of Qualifications Scotland. Visit our website to sign up, share Your Voice and have your say.
Our clear purpose
Our purpose is clear: to design, deliver and award qualifications that empower all learners with fair and equal opportunity to reach their potential. Our promise to every learner in Scotland is that their background will never be a barrier to accessing qualifications which will help shape their future.
We want to be a great organisation to work with and for, and to become a world leader in qualifications. We'll empower learners through qualifications that provide trusted recognition of their knowledge and skills, supporting their choices in life and work.
We're committed to being open, collaborative and forward-thinking. Qualifications Scotland will be closer to the classroom and ensure that qualifications meet the skills needs of employers, support job creation, drive economic growth, and deliver real benefits for society.
Leading change
Becoming Qualifications Scotland is about breaking down barriers to opportunity and ensuring every learner can thrive. It's the start of an exciting journey that will include reform of assessments and qualifications to ensure they meet your learner's needs and Scotland’s needs.
We're not just adapting to change – we're leading it. We're ready to unlock potential, one qualification at a time, and to power Scotland's success.