Learning pathways IN THE SENIOR PHASE AND BEYOND

What are Learning Pathways? 

A learning pathway is your journey through education and learning.  You can choose courses, qualifications and learning experiences at any age or stage of your life.  These learning choices are steps along your learning pathway.  Learning pathways can help you to:

• Map out the courses and qualifications that will help you to reach your objectives

• Gain skills and knowledge

• Improve your existing skills and knowledge 

• Take up new interests and change direction 

• Improve your prospects for employment

• Enrich your life

Your learning pathway may involve taking courses and qualifications either full time or part time while you are:

• At school

• At school and at college (shared placement)

• At college

• Undertaking an apprenticeship (with training at college and/or in the workplace)

• At work 

• At university

• Online (SCHOLAR, Open University, remote learning)

• Any combination of the above

There are additional learning opportunities in the community: local authorities, colleges and universities often run short courses for those who are 16+.

Understanding Your Learning Pathway: The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework

Courses, qualifications and learning opportunities are the building blocks of developing skills and knowledge.  The table below sets out the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework levels.  SCQF Levels 1 to 12 create a common currency between different courses and qualifications which are delivered in various settings (school, college, work, university, online).  You can see how the different courses are valued equally within the SCQF levels.  The SCQF operates a system of credit points e.g. a National 4 and a National Certificate at SCQF Level 4 are both worth 24 credit points.  These credit points help you to progress to your next learning level, as you achieve modules and/or qualifications.

Choosing Learning Pathways

The table above shown information about qualifications and SCQF levels.  These are sample pathways.  You can progress through your learning pathway, gaining qualifications and credits, in several ways: full time at school, college or university or part time whilst at work, as part of an apprenticeship or through online or distance learning.

Subject Learning Pathways

In our Course Choices website you will see that each subject area has provided a diagram of Learning Pathways through the courses that they offer.  Two examples are given below:

The lines show the recommended options for progression through a subject or curricular area.   All courses at the same SCQF level have equal levels of difficulty and demand.