NC
Social Sciences Level 5 – GF8C 45
NC
Social Sciences Level 6 – GF8M 46
Based
on SQA’s Design Principles for NC
Group Awards
Designed to be compatible with many
current NQ level offerings in colleges
Lead college: Edinburgh’s Telford
Other colleges: Stevenson College;
Motherwell College; James Watt
College; Jewel and Esk Valley College;
Adam Smith College
Organisations: Scotland’s Colleges;
SWAP; SQA
 NQ
Level courses exist in many colleges
 HMIE Aspect report 2009 notes range of
provision - inconsistent
 Market research confirmed support for Group
Award (email questionnaire plus contact
from stakeholders)
 Target audience – school leavers, adult
returners, mature learners –all ages and
backgrounds
 Building in employability
 To
provide candidates with knowledge and
skills across specific social science subjects.
 To
develop an understanding of the
contribution of social sciences to the modern
world and human behaviour.
 To
develop an open-minded, critical and
evaluative approach to study.
 To
develop knowledge and understanding of
different research methods and skills
appropriate for use in the social science
discipline which are necessary for
progression to further and higher education.
 To
enhance interpersonal skills which are
critical in the majority of work situation in
social sciences.
 To
provide candidate with opportunities to
gain a nationally recognised qualification
that will lead to further and higher education
and/or employment.
 To
harmonise and standardise the provision
at SCQF Levels 5 and 6 in Social Sciences
across the FE Sector.
12
SQA credits (72 SCQF credit
points)
 A minimum of 7 need to be at SCQF
Level 5
3 mandatory Units (at SCQF Level 5)
 Psychology:
Investigating Behaviour
 Socialisation
 Communication
plus
4
credits at SCQF Level 5 from social
science subjects (including
criminology)
Plus
0-5 from an optional section that
includes other Core Skills, maths,
personal development and
employability Units, a volunteering
award, English & Literature Units, a
counselling Unit, external exam
credits and a new Psychology Unit.
Some
of these optional Units are at
SCQF level 4, most are at SCQF level
5.
12
SQA credits (72 SCQF credit
points)
A minimum of 7 need to be at SCQF
Level 6
2 mandatory Units (at SCQF Level 6)
 Psychology:
Individual in the Social
Context
 Studying Human Society: The
Sociological Approach
plus
5
credits at SCQF Level 6 from social
science subjects (including criminology)
Plus
 Other optional Units can be more social
sciences at SCQF Level 6, some at SCQF
level 5 or broader options
 Broader options includes other Core Skills,
personal development and employability
Units, a volunteering award, English &
Literature Units, external exam credits
plus a new Psychology Unit.
 All
Core Skills are included (can be
developed and are embedded or
signposted).
 Exit level from NC Social Sciences at SCQF
Level 6 will be at SCQF Level 5 across all
areas to fit entry level for HNC .
 Exit level from NC Social Sciences at SCQF
Level 5 will be at SCQF Level 4 across all
areas.
 Core Skills can sit outside the Group
Award if a Centre chooses – only
Communication at NCSS Level 5 is
mandatory.
 Also
built in opportunities to develop
skills that should help towards
employment.
 Enterprise, Self and Work, Self Awareness,
Volunteering, Employability.
 In terms of citizenship – awards address
the aspirations of Curriculum for
Excellence (Volunteering, citizenship,
enterprise, employability and personal
development).
 The
framework could be used alongside
SWAP Access to Humanities programme –
not official SWAP policy but is compatible.
 Centres can continue to offer the 18
credits most use for NQ level provision.
 Could have 12 credits and Group Award
overtaken by end block 2 (of 3 x 12 week
prog) eg
6 block 1 plus 1 hr tutorial;
 6 block 2 plus 1 hr tutorial;
 5 block 1 plus 1 hr tutorial.

 Could
be completed in January provision.
 H1WJ
11 Psychology: Theory and Methods at
SCQF level 5.
 Similar to Introduction to Psychology Unit
that was levelled at SCQF level 4 – taught by
most at SCQF Level 5.
Outcomes
 1 Explain theories from major figures in
psychology and their application.
 2 Describe the main types of research
methods used by psychologists.
At Level 5
 H1WL 11 - Criminology: Crime in the
Community
Outcomes
 1 Describe and categorise common crimes in
the community.
 2 Identify the role of the media in the
perception of crime in the community.
 3 Identify measures in place to address crime
in the community.
 H1WK
11- Criminology: Crime Scenes
Outcomes
 1 Describe crime scene protocol and the
range of evidence which may be present.
 2 Describe psychological evidence from a
crime scene and the nature of offender
profiling.
 H1WM
12 - Criminology: Nature and Extent
of Crime
Outcomes
 1 Describe the nature of crime.
 2 Evaluate how crime is measured.
 H1WN
12 - Criminology: Crime Control
Strategies
 H1WP
12 - Criminology: Forensic Psychology
Outcomes
 1 Describe the roles of Forensic
Psychologists.
 2 Evaluate psychological explanations of
criminal behaviour.
 3 Examine extraordinary criminal behaviour.
Any
Questions?