Foreword

• The following subject pathways were developed by the SCQF Ambassador group within the school, with the intention of showing clearly the different pathways students can take within different subjects.

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• Each course lasts one year unless stated otherwise. We would hope that a student is moving up a level each year in each subject, therefore picking the correct starting level is very important to reduce the chance of having to repeat a level. Students choosing subjects for S4 will be picking SCQF Level 4 or Level 5 courses, with recommendations from class teachers.

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• Some subjects allow for movement within National 4 and 5, however some do not – for example in all Science subjects, once a student has started the National 5 course, they cannot move down to National 4 as the two courses are different. This means the correct level of course must be picked during subject choices.

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• The school also runs/facilitates newer style courses, called Foundation Apprenticeships (FAs) and National Progression Awards (NPAs). These courses are vocational courses, so are more focused towards specific jobs and industries. These courses are offered at a range of levels and are shown in the following images as possible pathways for students to take – they do not indicate entry requirements for the courses.

Level 4

Level 7

Level 6

Level 5

National 5 Accounting

Higher Accounting

Advanced Higher Accounting

SCQF

Courses

• Accountant
• Marketing
• Financial Reporting Accountant
• Budget Analyst

University/College:

• Accounting
• Marketing
• Management
• Accounting
• Accounting and Finance

​

Apprenticeships:

​

• Chartered Accountant
• Professional Accounting and taxation technician
• Credit Controller
• Mortgage Advisor

Future pathways

Careers

ACCOUNTING

Level 4

Level 7

Level 6

Level 5

National 4 Administration and IT

National 5 Administration and IT

Higher Administration and IT

SCQF

Courses

• Administrator
• Advocates clerk
• Company secretary
• Court officer
• Database administrator
• IT project analyst
• IT trainer
• Market research data analyst

University/College:

• Digital marketing
• Project management
• Business writing skills
• Accounting and bookkeeping

Apprenticeships:

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• Business Administrator
• HR Consultant
• Accounts Assistant

Future pathways

Careers

ADMINISTRATION AND IT

Level 4

Level 7

Level 6

Level 5

National 4 Art and Design

National 5 Art and Design

Higher Art and Design

Advanced Higher Art and Design (Expressive)

SCQF

Courses

University/College:

• Fine Art
• Art and Business
• Graphic Design

​

​

​

Apprenticeships:

​

Fashion and textiles pattern cutter

Storyboard artist

Photographic assistant

Broadcast and communications technical operator

Future pathways

Careers

ART AND DESIGN

Advanced Higher Art and Design (Design)

FA Creative and Digital Media

• Art Therapist
• Secondary School Art Teacher
• Animator
• Architect
• Advertising Account Executive
• Art Gallery Curator
• Arts Administrator
• Beauty Consultant
• Ceramics Designer or Maker

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Level 4

Level 7

Level 6

Level 5

National 4 Biology

National 5 Biology

Higher Biology

Advanced Higher Biology

SCQF

Courses

• Doctor 
• Marnie biologist 
• Biology teacher 
• Zoologist 
• Biology lecturer
• Biomedical scientist
• Food scientist 
• Vet 
• Podiatrist 
• Microbiologist 
• Nurse 
• Pharmacologist
• Dentist 
• Agriculture

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University/College:

Animal Behaviour and Conservation

Microbiology and Molecular Biology

Zoology

Biomedical Science

Healthcare Science

Human Physiology�Human Biosciences

Human Biology 

Biology 

Apprenticeships:

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Lead practitioner in adult care

Laboratory Technician Laboratory Scientist 

Science Manufacturing Technician

Science Maintenance Technician

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Future pathways

Careers

BIOLOGY

Level 4

Level 7

Level 6

Level 5

National 4 Business Management

National 5 Business Management

Higher Business Management

Advanced Higher Business Management

SCQF

Courses

• Banker
• Business adviser
• Business manager
• Business analyst
• Lawyer 
• Project manager
• Real estate agent 
• CEO
• MP
• Insurance account manager 
• Marketing executive 
• Tax advisor 

University/College:

• Business Management
• Marketing
• International Business Management
• Business Law
• Economics
• International Business 
• Real Estate

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Apprenticeships:

Business Leadership and Management Practice Degree Apprenticeship

Tax Technology and Transformation Apprenticeship

Communications Engineering Apprenticeship

Commercial Business Apprenticeship

​

Future pathways

Careers

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

FA Business Skills

Level 4

Level 7

Level 6

Level 5

National 4 Chemistry

National 5 Chemistry

Higher Chemistry

Advanced Higher Chemistry

SCQF

Courses

• Sterile services technician
• Anatomical pathology technician
• Biochemist
• Chemical engineer
• Brewery worker
• Chemist
• Food scientist
• Food technologist
• Forensic psychologist
• pharmacist

University/College:

• Natural Sciences
• Chemistry
• Combined STEM

Apprenticeships:

• Laboratory Science
• Laboratory Technician
• Research Scientist

Future pathways

Careers

CHEMISTRY

Level 4

Level 7

Level 6

Level 5

National 4 Computing

National 5 Computing

Higher Computing

Advanced Higher Computing

SCQF

Courses

• Software Developer
• Software Engineer
• Ethical Hacker
• Games Developer
• Web Developer
• Data Scientist
• App Developer
• Network Engineer
• Robotics Engineer
• Social Media Manager

University/College:

• Computer Science
• Ethical Hacking
• Artificial intelligence
• Software engineering
• Cyber Security
• Games Development

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Apprenticeships:

• Cyber Security
• Software Development

Future pathways

Careers

COMPUTING

Level 4

Level 7

Level 6

Level 5

National 4 Drama

National 5 Drama

Higher Drama

Advanced Higher Drama

SCQF

Courses

• Actor.
• Broadcast presenter.
• Community arts worker.
• Drama therapist.
• Runner, broadcasting/film/video.
• Theatre director.
• Theatre stage manager.
• Screen writer 
• Set designer 
• Costume designer 
• Tv presenter 
• Prop designer 
• Teacher 
• Producer 
• Camera operator 

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University/College:

Theatre studies 

Film and tv studies 

Creative industries 

Acting

Musical Theatre

Theatre/Screen Design

​

Apprenticeships:

Creative Venue Technician Apprentice ( lighting, sound & video, and stage crew)

Scenic Artist Apprentice

Scenic Carpenter Apprentice

Scenic Metal Fabricator Apprentice

Props maker Apprentice

Camera prep technician 

Creative venue technician

Live event rigger 

Technical directing

​

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​

​

Future pathways

Careers

DRAMA

FA Creative and Digital Media

Level 4

Level 7

Level 6

Level 5

National 4 Early Learning and Childcare

National 5 Early Learning and Childcare

SCQF

Courses

• Early Years Practitioner
• Nursery Practitioner
• Early Years Teacher
• ELC Support Worker
• Classroom support assistant
• Teacher
• Social Worker
• Nurse
• Midwife

University/College:

• Child Development
• Primary Education
• Psychology
• Educational Psychology
• Sociology
• Social Work
• Nursing
• Midwifery
• Speech & Language Therapy

​

Apprenticeships:

• Early Years Practitioner
• Early Years Educator
• ELC Support Worker

​

​

Future pathways

Careers

EARLY LEARNING AND CHILDCARE

FA Children and Young People

Level 4

Level 7

Level 6

Level 5

National 4 English

National 5 English

SCQF

Courses

• Digital copywriter
• Editorial assistant
• English as a foreign language teacher
• Magazine journalist
• Newspaper journalist
• Publishing copy-editor/proof-reader
• Secondary school teacher
• Web content manager
• Writer

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University/College:

• English 
• English and Communications 
• English and Creative Writing 
• English and Drama 
• English and Film & Television Studies 
• English and Modern Languages 

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• Apprenticeships:
• Assessor coach
• Journalism 
• Arts, Media and Publishing Apprentice
•        Content Writer Apprentice 

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Future pathways

Careers

ENGLISH

Higher English

Advanced Higher English

NPA Journalism

Level 4

Level 7

Level 6

Level 5

SCQF

Courses

• Interpreter/Translator
• Flight attendant
• Pilot
• Secondary school teacher
• Primary school teacher 
• International journalist
• Political risk analyst
• Public relations specialist
• International aid
• International security
• International web design
• Logistics and distribution
• Event coordinator
• Hotel/resort manager
• Travel agent
• Marketing/sales executive
• Tour manager
• International childcare

​

University/College:

• French Studies
• International Marketing International Business
• International Relations Economics with French
• Law and French
• English and French
• History and French
• Politics and French
• EU Studies 

​

Apprenticeships:

France based:

Customer Services

Childcare

Tourism (business)

Marketing

Hospitality

​

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Future pathways

Careers

FRENCH

National 4 French

National 5 French

Higher French

Advanced Higher French

Modern Languages for Life and Work

Modern Languages for Life and Work

Modern Languages for Life and Work

Level 4

Level 7

Level 6

Level 5

National 4 Geography

National 5 Geography

Higher Geography

SCQF

Courses

• Architectural technologist
• Cartographer
• Data analyst
• Environmental consultant
• Geographical information systems officer

teacher

• Social researcher
• Town Planner
• Construction manager
• Landscape architect
• Nature conservation officer
• Political risk analyst
• Sustainability consultant 
• Transport planner

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�

University/College:

 Politics Law Natural resource management.

Sustainable development: Nature and city.

Globalisation and regional development.

Environmental change: Past and present.

Health, space and justice.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Wilderness and habitats

Apprenticeships:

Cultural heritage conservator apprenticeship Chartered landscape professional apprenticeship Aviation ground specialist apprenticeship 

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Future pathways

Careers

GEOGRAPHY

Advanced Higher Geography

Level 4

Level 7

Level 6

Level 5

National 4 Graphic Communication

National 5 Graphic Communication

Higher Graphic Communication

Advanced Higher Graphic Communication

SCQF

Courses

University/College:

• BA Graphic communication
• Visual communications BA
• Bachelor of Arts

​

​

Apprenticeships:

Graphic Designer

Web Designer

Digital Marketing and Graphic Design

Future pathways

Careers

GRAPHIC COMMUNICATION

• Animator
• App Developer
• Architect
• Architectural Technologist
• CAD technician
• Cartographer
• Civil Engineer
• Concept Artist

Level 4

Level 7

Level 6

Level 5

Higher Health and Food Technology

SCQF

Courses

Food Scientist and Technologist

Food Science Technician

extension Agents and Specialists

Consumer Safety Officer

Food Inspector

Food Policy Analyst

Sales Representative

Dietitian 

Nutritionist 

Personal trainer 

Medicine

Food Product Developer

Nursing

​

University/College:

Food, Nutrition and Human Health

Food science 

Sports science 

Medicine

Dentistry

Nursing

​

Apprenticeships:

​

Food industry technical professional (integrate degree)

Dietitian (integrated degree

Environmental health practitioner (integrated degree)

Research scientist

​

Future pathways

Careers

HEALTH AND FOOD TECHNOLOGY

Level 4

Level 7

Level 6

Level 5

National 4 History

National 5 History

Higher History

SCQF

Courses

History Teacher

Museum Curator

Arts Administrator

Heritage Site Manager

Academic historian.

Archivist.

Librarian

Media researcher

Writer or journalist

​

University/College:

Ancient History Cultural History Medieval History Modern History  

Celtic and Scottish History

History and Economics    

Fascism in 20th Century Europe

Paleontology

​

​

Apprenticeships:

Archaeological specialist apprenticeship. 

Cultural heritage conservator apprenticeship Chartered landscape professional apprenticeship 

Future pathways

Careers

HISTORY

Advanced Higher History

Level 4

Level 7

Level 6

Level 5

National 5 Mathematics

Higher Mathematics

Advanced Higher Mathematics

SCQF

Courses

• Secondary School Teacher
• 3D Printing Specialist
• Accountant
• Aircraft Maintenance Engineer
• Astronaut
• Automotive Engineer

University/College:

• Mathematics
• Engineering
• Data Science

​

Apprenticeships:

Future pathways

Careers

MATHEMATICS

National 4 Applications of Mathematics

National 5 Applications of Mathematics

Higher Applications of Mathematics

Level 4

Level 7

Level 6

Level 5

National 4 Modern Studies

National 5 Modern Studies

Higher Modern Studies

SCQF

Courses

• Journalism 
• Diplomat
• Social worker 
• Teacher 
• Lawyer
• First minster 
• Police officer
• Economics
• Welfare rights
• Member of parliament

University/College:

Child and Youth Studies Criminology

Politics

 Law

Archaeology and Sociology

Policing 

Sociology and Politics

​

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Apprenticeships:

 Legal Operations Apprentice

 Journalism

Healthcare 

Child and young people 

 Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship 

Future pathways

Careers

MODERN STUDIES

Advanced Higher Modern Studies

Level 4

Level 7

Level 6

Level 5

National 4 Music

National 5 Music

Higher Music

Advanced Higher Music

SCQF

Courses

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• blogger.
• booking agent.
• composer.
• DJ/ radio producer 
• event manager.
• instrument technician.
• live sound technician.
• Musician 
• Conductor 
• digital music
• live events production
• music business
• music journalism
• music management
• music production
• music technology
• musical theatre
• song writing
• sound engineering
• sound technology
• background singer
• stage management

​

​

​

University/College:

•  Professional Music (Production)
• Professional Music (Performance)
• Professional Music (Songwriting)
•  Music Industry Enterprise
• Music production 
• Sound engineering 
• Radio, audio, podcasting 
• Music Composition/Song writing
• Sound Engineering
• Music Education
• Music Business

Apprenticeships:

Media systems engineer

Broadcast and media systems technical operator

Live event rigger

Acoustics

Arts Therapy

Media production

Broadcasting

​

Future pathways

Careers

MUSIC

Level 4

Level 7

Level 6

Level 5

National 5 Music Technology

Higher Music Technology

SCQF

Courses

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• blogger.
• booking agent.
• composer.
• DJ/ radio producer 
• event manager.
• instrument technician.
• live sound technician.
• Musician 
• Conductor 
• digital music
• live events production
• music business
• music journalism
• music management
• music production
• music technology
• musical theatre
• song writing
• sound engineering
• sound technology
• background singer
• stage management

​

​

​

University/College:

•  Professional Music (Production)
• Professional Music (Performance)
• Professional Music (Songwriting)
•  Music Industry Enterprise
• Music production 
• Sound engineering 
• Radio, audio, podcasting 
• Music Composition/Song writing
• Sound Engineering
• Music Education
• Music Business

Apprenticeships:

Media systems engineer

Broadcast and media systems technical operator

Live event rigger

Acoustics

Arts Therapy

Media production

Broadcasting

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Future pathways

Careers

MUSIC TECHNOLOGY

Level 4

Level 7

Level 6

Level 5

National 4 Physics

National 5 Physics

Higher Physics

Advanced Higher Physics

SCQF

Courses

• Physiotherapy assistant
• Aerospace engineer

​

University/College:

• Physics
• Astronomy and Astrophysics
• Meteorology
• Engineering
• Computer Science
• Mathematics
• Statistics
• Medicine
• Dentistry
• Economics
• Architecture
• Education

​

Apprenticeships:

• Engineering & Technology
• Science & Physics
• Health & Medical Technology

Future pathways

Careers

PHYSICS

FA Engineering

(2 Year Course in S5 and S6)

Level 4

Level 7

Level 6

Level 5

National 4 Physical Education

National 5 Physical Education

Higher Physical Education

SCQF

Courses

• Personal trainer 
• PE Teacher 
• Sports coach 
• Life guard 
• Fitness instructor 
• Physiotherapist.
• Sports science.
• Professional sportsperson.
• Sports policy
• Diet and fitness instructor.
• Referee

�

University/College:

Sports & Leisure.

Coaching.

Fitness Training.

Football Coaching.

Golf Management.

Outdoor Pursuits Organisation.

Personal Health and Fitness.

Physical Education Teaching

Apprenticeships:

Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship with PE Focus

Sports Coach in a School/Community

Advanced sports turf technician apprenticeship

Community activator coach apprenticeship

Leisure team member apprenticeship

Outdoor activity instructor apprenticeship

Personal trainer apprenticeship

​

Future pathways

Careers

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

NPA Exercise and Fitness Leadership

PDA Refereeing

Level 4

Level 7

Level 6

Level 5

National 5 Practical Cake Craft

SCQF

Courses

• Cake decorator 
• Pastry chef 
• Baker 
• Café owner 
• Catering manager

​

University/College:

• Craft baking 
• Pastry course 

​

Apprenticeships:

Bakery apprenticeship 

Future pathways

Careers

PRACTICAL CAKE CRAFT

Level 4

Level 7

Level 6

Level 5

National 4 Practical Cookery

National 5 Practical Cookery

SCQF

Courses

Chef 

Butcher 

Catering manager 

Food technologist 

Airline caterer

Pastry chef 

Restaurant manager 

Army chef 

Food stylist 

Private chef 

University/College:

• Food business management 
• Chef
• Food technology 
• Food science 
• Culinary arts

​

​

Apprenticeships:

Bar and Waiting Apprenticeship

Chef Apprenticeship

Supervisor Apprentice

​

Future pathways

Careers

PRACTICAL COOKERY

Level 4

Level 7

Level 6

Level 5

National 4 Practical Woodworking

National 5 Practical Woodworking

SCQF

Courses

• Cabinet Maker
• Construction Operative
• French Polisher
• Furniture Designer
• Glazier
• Joiner
• Musical Instrument Maker or Repairer
• Picture Framer
• Prop Maker
• Set Designer
• Shopfitter
• Window Fitter

University/College:

​

Apprenticeships:

Future pathways

Careers

PRACTICAL WOODWORKING

Level 4

Level 7

Level 6

Level 5

National 5 RMPS

Higher RMPS

SCQF

Courses

​

​

​

University/College:

​

Apprenticeships:

​

Future pathways

Careers

RMPS

Level 4

Level 7

Level 6

Level 5

SCQF

Courses

• Interpreter/Translator
• Cabin Crew
• Pilot
• Secondary school teacher
• Primary school teacher 
• International journalist
• Political risk analyst
• Public relations specialist
• International aid
• International security
• International web design
• Logistics and distribution
• Event coordinator
• Hotel/resort manager
• Travel agent
• Marketing/sales executive
• Tour manager
• International childcare

​

University/College:

• Spanish Studies
• Latin American Studies
• International Marketing International Business
• International Relations Economics with Spanish
• Law and Spanish
• English and Spanish
• History and Spanish
• Politics and Spanish
• EU Studies 

​

Apprenticeships:

• Hispanic Country based:
• Customer Services
• Childcare
• Tourism (business)
• Marketing
• Hospitality

Future pathways

Careers

SPANISH

National 4 Spanish

National 5 Spanish

Higher Spanish

Advanced Higher Spanish

Modern Languages for Life and Work

Modern Languages for Life and Work

Modern Languages for Life and Work

Level 4

Level 7

Level 6

Level 5

National 4 Travel and Tourism

National 5 Travel and Tourism

SCQF

Courses

University/College:

​

Apprenticeships:

Future pathways

Careers

TRAVEL AND TOURISM

Level 4

Level 7

Level 6

Level 5

SCQF

Courses

FOUNDATION APPRENTICESHIPS

FA Health and Social Care

FA Children and Young People

FA Construction

FA Automotive

FA Engineering

(2 Year Course in S5 and S6)

FA Creative and Digital Media

FA Business Skills

Level 4

Level 7

Level 6

Level 5

SCQF

Courses

NATIONAL PROGRESSION AWARDS

NPA Journalism

NPA Exercise and Fitness Leadership