Qualifications Scotland

Qualifications Scotland
Teisteanasan Alba
AbbreviationQS
PredecessorScottish Qualifications Authority (SQA)
Established2 December 2025 (2025-12-02)
PurposeEducational
HeadquartersGlasgow / Dalkeith
Location
ServicesExams and Assignments for all Scottish schools
Official language
English
Chair
Shirley Rogers
Chief Executive
Nick Page
Websitewww.qualifications.gov.scot

Qualifications Scotland (Scottish Gaelic: Teisteanasan Alba) is the public body responsible for accrediting educational awards in Scotland from 2 December 2025.[1]

History

The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) was previously responsible for the functions.[2] In June 2021, the Scottish Government announced that the SQA would be replaced.[3] The legislation for the new body to be set up was passed by the Scottish Parliament in June 2025.[4]

Staff employed by the Scottish Qualifications Authority were to be transferred into the employment of Qualifications Scotland.[5] Recruitment for the board, to include five teachers and lecturers, began in July 2025.[6] The SQA's chief executive Nick Page became the new chief executive.[2] At the start of February 2026, Page described Qualifications Scotland as being fully operational.[7]

References

  1. ^ "Education (Scotland) Act 2025". legislation.gov.uk. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
  2. ^ a b "The SQA has been scrapped. Why and what now?". BBC News. 2 December 2025. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
  3. ^ "SQA to be replaced, education secretary reveals". TES. 21 June 2021. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
  4. ^ "MSPs pass bill to scrap SQA for new Scottish exams body". BBC News. 25 June 2025. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
  5. ^ "SQA to be replaced by Qualifications Scotland in 2025". The Herald. Glasgow. 5 June 2024. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
  6. ^ "Board members sought for SQA replacement body". TES. 23 July 2025. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
  7. ^ "New exams body plans to shake up qualifications system". BBC News. 2 February 2026. Retrieved 3 February 2026.