Qualifications Scotland replaces SQA in rules Dec 2025

Scotland is tidying its rulebook as it moves from the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) to Qualifications Scotland. Fresh regulations made on 3 December 2025 and laid before Holyrood on 5 December set out the legal updates so your exams, student status and training continue smoothly, according to legislation.gov.uk.

Let’s ground this. Qualifications Scotland is the new national awarding body created by the Education (Scotland) Act 2025. The first commencement regulations started the move on 1 December 2025 by bringing parts of section 1 into force; more activation follows. The new consequential regulations will fully take effect when section 1 is commenced “for all purposes”, as the official pages on legislation.gov.uk spell out.

Here’s the bit you’ll feel at home: council tax. The 2003 order that defines who counts as a student or an apprentice is being updated so that references to the SQA become “Qualifications Scotland” in the definitions and in the list of qualifying courses. What it means: the discount rules themselves don’t change; the recognised body named on your paperwork does.

Student finance is also being tidied up. The Student Support (Scotland) Regulations 2022 will now refer to Qualifications Scotland in the rules for Education Maintenance Allowance and in the list of designated courses for loans and tuition fee support. What it means: eligibility tests stay the same; the law is aligning the name of the awarding body with the new organisation.

If your learning happens at work, the same idea applies. Training for alcohol licensing and the qualifications used in road works supervision will name Qualifications Scotland where they used to name the SQA; for road works, the official register of certificates sits with Qualifications Scotland. What it means: providers keep teaching; the register moves house.

Equality and professional standards are kept in step. Under equality law, the “appropriate regulator” for Scottish qualifications switches from the SQA to Qualifications Scotland, and the Scottish Social Services Council is told to consult the new body when it develops its Codes of Practice. What it means: there’s still a clearly named regulator if you need to challenge a decision.

Several niche areas are included so nothing falls between the cracks: St Mary’s Music School’s aided places rules and the certification used in the Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing Regulations are updated to reference Qualifications Scotland. What it means: specialist awards remain recognised during and after the handover.

Timing matters, so let’s be precise. These consequential changes come into force on the day section 1 of the 2025 Act is in force “for all purposes”. As of 1 December 2025, section 1 has been commenced for specified purposes only, which means some references will switch later via another commencement regulation. We’ll keep an eye on that final step.

Reassurance first: your SQA qualifications still count. A transitory rule says that from 1 December 2025 to 30 November 2029 a “relevant qualification” also includes SQA-devised or SQA‑accredited awards, alongside new Qualifications Scotland awards. What it means: schools, colleges, universities and employers can continue to accept existing SQA certificates.

So what should you do right now? Keep using the certificates and statements you already have. If a form still mentions the SQA, public bodies will read that as Qualifications Scotland once the switch is fully active. This is a legal tidy-up to keep systems working, not a change to who qualifies for support, as the explanatory note makes clear.

Two quick scenarios. You’re an apprentice training toward an SQA‑accredited award: your council tax discount can continue because, once commenced, the order will treat that as a Qualifications Scotland‑accredited award. You’ve just gained SQA Highers and accepted a degree place: the student definitions in law are being updated to the new name, not tightened.

We’ll track the next commencement step that brings section 1 fully into force and triggers the remaining wording changes across the rulebook. When that happens, update course handbooks and websites to mention Qualifications Scotland clearly. For now, carry on-your learning, your status and your certificates remain recognised.