The main awarding body for delivering a wide range of qualifications in Scotland is Qualifications Scotland (QS).
Awards and qualifications sit within the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) which has 12 levels. You can see how the different qualifications and awards align on the Framework or use the interactive tool here. Credits may be awarded and achieved even when full qualifications are not.
The most common qualifications in Scottish state schools are:
National Qualifications (NQs)
Developed, managed and certificated by Qualifications Scotland (QS), these include Nationals (1 to 5 which sit at SCQF Levels 1 to 5 respectively), Highers (SCQF Level 6) and Advanced Highers (SCQF Level 7).
National 4s are assessed by the school or centre, with external verification by Qualifications Scotland. These are graded pass or fail. National 5s, Highers and Advanced Highers are assessed via exams (assessed by QS) and/or coursework. These are graded A to D or 'no award'.
These are available at Levels 3, 4 and 5 and are designed to introduce learners to the demands and expectations of the world of work through practical experiences. Learners may spend some time at a local college, training provider or employer.
National Qualification Group Awards
These include National Certificates (NCs) and National Progression Awards (NPAs) which are aimed at assessing a defined set of skills and knowledge in specialist vocational areas.