About National Units and Courses
The basic building block for all SQA qualifications is the Unit. Units may be taken individually or grouped together into Courses or Group Awards.
There are National Units at Access 1 and Access 2 and National Courses at Access 2. These are usually undertaken at school (from third year onwards) or at college.
Units normally take about 40 hours to complete and there are three Units in an Access 2 Course. Unlike higher levels there is no external assessment in an Access 2 Course.
If a candidate completes a Unit or group of Units they will be certificated for the Unit(s) individually. If the candidate achieves the required number and combination of Units to achieve a Course or Group Award and these Units are resulted, the candidate will be certificated for the overall Course or Group Award as well as the Units. It should be noted that the candidate must be entered for the overall Course or Group Award in order that this is certificated
The different types of Unit
Access 1 Supported Units
Access 1 Supported Units are for candidates who might always need a level of adult support. Candidates learn through enriched practical experience, using a sensory approach to learning. There is no need for skills such as planning, reviewing and evaluating.
Access 1 Independent Units
Access 1 Independent Units are for candidates who are using basic skills in a supported learning environment.
Candidates who have completed an Access 1 Independent Unit can progress to other Access 1 Independent Units, or to Access 1 Derived Units. Some may also progress to Access 2 Units.
Access 1 Derived Units
These Access 1 Units are smaller components of Access 2 Units, which cover a wide range of subject areas. This allows candidates to build up to an Access 2 Unit step by step.
Access 2 Units
Access 2 Units enable candidates to progress from Access 1 Units. Many Access 2 Units also contribute to an Access 2 Course or Group Award.
For some candidates the Access 2 Units could be a starting point. Candidates who have achieved an Access 2 Unit may progress to other Access 2 Units or to Access 3 Units. (Access 3 is the next level in the qualifications framework; it is the same level as Foundation level Standard Grade.)
Group Awards
Group Awards are collections of Units with a similar theme or subject. At Access 2 there are Scottish Group Awards (SGAs) to enable candidates to progress by broadening their interests.
There is also a Skillstart Group Award at Access 2. This is designed to prepare a learner for the world of work and is designed for school-leavers with additional support needs or for adults who wish to return to basic education.
Access 1 and 2 in the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework
The ready reckoner below shows where Access 1 and 2 qualifications fit into the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework.
