The term 'Cluster' has been used since the Higher Still Development Programme to refer to subject-specific groupings of Units at Access 2 and 3 level (made up of three Unit credits) which provide articulation with Courses at Intermediate 1 level and above.
The term 'Cluster' was discussed as part of a consultation carried out in 2004 during the review of our Qualification Portfolio and one of the conclusions of that review was that we should change the title of 'Clusters' to 'Courses' to bring them into line with other qualifications within our portfolio. As a result we have now decided to rationalise the titling of National Qualifications by dispensing with the title 'Cluster' and extending the use of the title 'Course' to Access 2 and 3 levels (SCQF levels 2 and 3).
This will mean that all 'Clusters' that currently exist at Access 2 and 3 levels will be called 'Courses' in any of our publications that have been published since 1 January 2007 and on the new Scottish Qualifications Certificate (SQC) documentation.