The countdown is on to SCQF Week 2026, and this year we have even more reason to celebrate.

SCQF Week is extra special as we are marking 25 years of the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF).

From 21 to 25 September, we’ll be looking back 25 years to explore people’s learning journeys and celebrate how far they’ve come.

We’ll be shining a light on the many different ways people learn, the skills and knowledge they gain, and how learning can be recognised and valued throughout life.

Looking to the next 25 years

As we reflect on the past 25 years, we’ll also look to the future and ask: what will learning look like in 2051?

With new technologies, new careers and new ways of learning already changing the way we live and work, there’s plenty to think about.

Cover page of the SCQF Week 2026 Social Media Toolkit. The design has a dark navy background with large white text reading “SCQF Week 2026 toolkit”. Two coloured text panels explain that SCQF Week 2026 celebrates 25 years of the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) and will run from Monday 21 September to Friday 25 September 2026. At the bottom left are illustrations of a desktop computer and a smartphone displaying the SCQF website. The right-hand side features layered pink and purple geometric shapes. In the bottom right corner is the SCQF 25th anniversary logo with the text “25 years of making all learning count”.

How to take part

Join us for SCQF Week 2026 as we celebrate 25 years of learning, recognition and opportunity – and look forward to the next 25.

Follow along on social media and join the conversation using #SCQFWeek26 and #SCQF25Years.

For more for information and to download our social media toolkit, visit SCQF Week 2026.

SCQF@25 Conference

To celebrate 25 years of the SCQF, we’re also hosting our SCQF@25 conference in Glasgow on 22 September, bringing together colleagues and partners to reflect on the SCQF’s journey and look ahead to the future of learning. Find out more and book your tickets here: Inspiring line-up of speakers announced for SCQF@25 conference.

Glossary Term

Authority

Appears at Level 12 only where it is used in the phrase ‘demonstrate substantial authority’, reflecting a recognised high level and depth of expertise/expert knowledge and understanding, along with confidence. It does not mean ‘exercise authority over staff and resources’ etc, as that could clearly apply at earlier levels.

Glossary Term

Exercise

Used in connection with management and/or supervisory responsibility, denotes a requirement of a formal, substantive role.

Glossary Term

Directive

Applied to ‘supervision’, signifies a task or activity that is guided.

Glossary Term

Graphical Data

Encompasses maps, plans, diagrams, tables and graphs.

Glossary Term

Synthesis

Combine discrete elements into a coherent whole.

Glossary Term

Analysis

Examine in detail with a view to explanation and interpretation.

Glossary Term

Present

Set out, put forward, deliver information using a variety of mediums as appropriate.

Glossary Term

Hypothetical

Supposed, assumed for the sake of argument.

Glossary Term

Straightforward

Clear and uncomplicated activity, but not as demanding or systematic and therefore not as advanced as ‘routine’.

Glossary Term

Creativity

Often used in combination with ‘originality’. There is overlap in definition, but the defining characteristic of creativity appears to be imagination.

Glossary Term

Originality

Often used in combination with ‘creativity’. There is overlap in definition, but the defining characteristic of originality appears to be independence.

Glossary Term

Professional

Used throughout as an adjective and applied to terms including level, skills, techniques, practices, contexts, and issues where it bears broad interpretation as ‘behaving appropriately/doing things properly and well and to notions of accepted, (including externally) prescribed standards’, as well as narrow, relating to a specific occupation designated as a profession. In this latter sense, the term applies in all contexts including academic study, eg footnoting properly.

Glossary Term

Unfamiliar

New territory for an activity.

Glossary Term

Routine

Used as an adjective throughout and applied to terms including skills, tasks, elements, practices, contexts, methods and problems where it describes activity that is standard, usual, unvarying, customary, common.

Glossary Term

Everyday

Slightly more advanced and beyond personal but a known experience/activity encountered/applied regularly - less advanced than ‘familiar’.

Glossary Term

Familiar

Often encountered or experienced; common; something one has a good knowledge of - more advanced than ‘personal’ and ‘everyday’, not as advanced as ‘routine’.

Glossary Term

Personal

An experience relating only or primarily to the person – one would expect to start here then widen out into the rest of the world, so not as advanced as ‘familiar’.

Glossary Term

Critical

Fully informed, capable of supporting in-depth analysis and assessment.

Glossary Term

Discerning

Using judgement to recognise differences but not fully equipped/informed to analyse and discuss them in depth, so less advanced than critical.

Glossary Term

Awareness

Consciousness, including a background consciousness. Can be a starting point for further exploration.

Glossary Term

Appreciation

A sense, perception, a hold, fix or grasp of one or more of the various aspects of a subject/discipline/sector.

Glossary Term

Understanding

A thorough and firm grasp of a subject/discipline/sector or an element or elements of it, derived from education/study, experience and reasoning in appropriate combination. Can be defined as ‘know why’, as opposed to ‘know that’. More holistic knowledge of processes and contexts, so more advanced than appreciation and knowledge.

Glossary Term

Simple

Undemanding activity not necessarily part of a formal structure - not as advanced as ‘basic’.

Glossary Term

Knowledge

Facts, ideas, theories and concepts in a subject/discipline/sector acquired through experience and/or education – a surer grasp than appreciation so more advanced.

Glossary Term

Basic

Activity is early stepping stone on a structure or framework that can be built upon – more advanced than ‘simple’.