Accreditation Explained: a programme of free webinars
'Accreditation Explained' is a free programme of eight webinars, designed to help increase the understanding of how qualifications are created, the importance of accreditation and regulation within this process, and what it means to be an approved awarding body.
In these webinars, we will dismantle common misconceptions and explain how we help safeguard the integrity of Scotland's vocational and occupational qualification landscape.
You can attend whichever sessions are relevant to you. All sessions are at 4pm, and run from 20 October 2026 to 18 May 2027.
Use the tabs below to open each section individually. Alternatively you can view all the sections.
1: How a Course Becomes an Accredited Qualification (and should it?)
Date and time: 20 October, 4pm
In this webinar, we will explain how Qualifications Scotland Accreditation serves to provide formal recognition that a qualification meets national standards for consistency and trust. Not all courses require this designation, so we will explain what your next steps could be after developing a new course or training package. We will take you through the different potential options, including the route to qualification, and help you to find answers to any questions you might have.
Attend this if: you aren’t sure what the next steps might be for a qualification you have developed.
2: Who We Are and What We Do
Date and time: 10 November, 4pm
We'll define our distinct role as the neutral guardian of quality, and explain which qualifications fall within our remit, and why. You'll leave with a clear understanding of the boundaries between Accreditation and the Qualifications Scotland awarding body. We will explain our core Regulatory Principles and Directives and how these dictate our decision-making and protect the interests of learners and employers alike.
Attend this if: you want to better understand what Accreditation and Regulation might mean for you.
3: How to Become an Approved/Regulated Awarding Body
Date and time: 8 December, 4pm
This webinar will provide an explanation of the conditions an organisation must meet to be recognised as an approved Qualifications Scotland accreditation Awarding Body. We'll walk you through the application process step by step, covering the evidence you'll need on financial stability, governance, quality assurance and qualification accreditation.
Attend this if: you're considering becoming an approved awarding body and want to know if it's the right next step for you.
4: Auditing, Monitoring, and Compliance
Date and time: 12 January 2027, 4pm
We'll explain how we maintain oversight of approved awarding bodies once they're up and running. You'll get an inside look at our audit cycle, including desk-based reviews, site visits, risk rating and the annual self-assessment process.
Attend this if: you're thinking about becoming an awarding body, or you're new to the role and want to understand our requirements.
5: National Occupational Standards
Date and time: 9 February 2027, 4pm
We'll outline what National Occupational Standards (NOS) are, how we develop them, and why they matter. You'll see how they're created, approved and stored.
Attend this if: you want to understand NOS and the development process.
6: Accrediting SVQs and Competence Based Qualifications
Date and time: 16 March 2027, 4pm
This session will detail how a qualification becomes accredited. We will review the journey of a qualification from the National Occupational Standards (NOS) to approval by the Accreditation Co-ordination Group. This includes how we work with Standard Setting Organisations (SSO) to ensure demand meets economic reality.
Attend this if: you want to better understand how SVQs and other qualifications are created from NOS.
7: SCQF Credit Rating Explained
Date and time: 20 April 2027, 4pm
We'll explore how we credit rate accredited qualifications, including how we calculate credit points, allocate SCQF levels, and place qualifications and learning programmes on the framework.
Attend this if: you want more information on credit rating and the SCQF.
8: Our Official Statistics Role, Explained
Date and time: 18 May 2027, 4pm
We'll introduce the data we gather, how we quality assure it, and what statistical reports and research we generate. You'll also learn what it means to be an Official Statistics Producer.
Attend this if: you want to understand our data and the insights it can offer you.