Education and Qualifications
This page explains key education and qualification terms used across NHS Scotland recruitment. It includes commonly used qualifications, training routes, and frameworks that help define the knowledge, skills, and experience required for different roles.
Whether you’re setting requirements for a role, assessing applications, or reviewing candidate experience, this guide will help you understand how qualifications are structured, compared, and applied across the recruitment process.
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Glossary
These terms relate to qualifications and learning routes that candidates may reference in applications or job packs.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| BA, BSc, BEng | Undergraduate degrees. These stand for Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Engineering. |
| CertHE (Certificate of Higher Education) | A higher education qualification equivalent to the first year of a university degree. |
| DipHE (Diploma of Higher Education) | A higher education qualification typically completed over two years. |
| Foundation Apprenticeship (FA) | A work‑based qualification taken while still at school, combining classroom learning with real workplace experience. |
| Further education (FE) | College‑based courses and qualifications usually taken after leaving school. |
| Graduate Apprenticeship (GA) | A programme that allows people to earn a university degree while working in a paid role. |
| Higher Education Institution (HEI) | A university or college that offers degree‑level qualifications. |
| Modern Apprenticeship (MA) | A paid job that combines practical workplace experience with formal training and a recognised qualification. |
| MBChB | The undergraduate medical degree required to become a doctor (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery). |
| MRes (Master of Research) | A postgraduate degree focused primarily on research skills. |
| MSc (Master of Science) | A postgraduate degree focused on specialist academic or professional subjects. |
| NHS Scotland Academy | A national partnership providing fast‑tracked learning, training and development opportunities for NHS Scotland staff. |
| PGCert (Postgraduate Certificate) | A short postgraduate qualification that can be taken after completing an undergraduate degree. |
| PGDip (Postgraduate Diploma) | A postgraduate qualification that sits between a postgraduate certificate and a full master’s degree. |
| Qualifications Scotland (QS) | Scotland’s national qualifications body (formerly the Scottish Qualifications Authority). |
| Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) | Using previous learning or work experience to gain credit towards a qualification. |
| Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) | The organisation responsible for student funding and bursaries in Scotland. |
| Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) | A framework that helps compare and understand different Scottish qualifications and training levels. |
| Scottish Wider Access Programme (SWAP) | Routes that support adults to return to education or change careers. |
| UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) | A computer‑based admissions test used by universities for entry to medical and some healthcare courses. |
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