What is higher education?

Last updated: 08/07/2025

Higher education is any course at SCQF level 7 and above or SVQ level 4 and 5.

Higher education includes a HNC, HND, degree, honours, masters, as well as a doctorate. These could be undertaken as either part time or full time courses.

Although higher education courses are usually undertaken in a college or university, they can also include distance learning courses completed at home, for example through an institution such as the Open University.